Sunday Snaps
Delayed and Dithered Recap and Recs for Sept/Oct
Well, here we are November. It’s a whole new world, isn’t it? I’m not sure what to say except to apologize for my erratic publishing schedule of late. Since the last Sunday Snaps I’ve had the attention span of a gnat with all of the election coverage, and frankly, worry. Talking about mundane things like recommendations or “what I did this month” hasn’t felt right to me. Reading other peoples’ activities and recommendations hasn’t felt right either. I ended up deleting a lot of posts from my inbox this week when I’d open them up to find a rehash of the usual with barely a nod to our current circumstance: “We’re all so down with the election, let’s treat ourselves with cashmere and skincare!” Comparing denim cuts, sweater lengths, shoe styles, “must-haves for fall”, or “my holiday wish list” is absolutely turning me off for now. (Not to say I won’t appreciate such content again, and likely soon, but in this moment it feels incredibly inauthentic to me.)
I’ve been a hermit all week, even since last weekend since the whole election was freaking me out. I went to bed early on Tuesday night and woke up early to the news Wednesday. I felt deflated, incredulous, gutted…like, HOW? A friend sent a group text asking the same, and we all mentioned something about hiding under the covers. Evening cocktails were discussed but no one really committed. I chatted with a few friends in other states who were equally in shock, but by mid-afternoon I knew I needed to get out in the air. I started to take a walk (through the Presidio, no less!) and a another out of town friend called to chat. I felt a little better, but quickly returned to hermit mode and told my friends I’d skip cocktails and stay in for the night. I put on sweats, made myself a good dinner and settled in to watch Niagara on TCM when my best friend from high school texted to say she was in the neighborhood and could she pop by. She was at my door ten minutes later, so I texted my friends at the bar and said if they wanted to come by too, they were welcome. Soon my solo night turned into a quartet with some of my nearest and dearest, completely impromptu. We all agreed that we needed it — being with each other — and that it helped each of us. I realized this was a gift. That even if I sought out my beloved solitude, welcoming in the company was what my spirit needed. The universe does have plans for us.
I’m sad, angry, suspicious, wary…not sure when those won’t be my dominant emotions. This year has been difficult but I’ve always been able to retain my sense of humor (even when the Dodgers won the World Series), but even that is feeling like a major effort now. I don’t know what to do but I know I’m not helpless. Not sure where to volunteer, where to put my energy, but I’m going to find some way to fight for our rights and representation. I’ll let you know.
The Spring
Hey! Have you heard? I’m writing a book and it’s published right here and it’s called The Spring! You say you knew that? Great! Have you told a friend about it? No? Please do…!
I’m beginning to see the light at the end of The Spring tunnel and I’d love it if you’d all tell everyone you can all about it! Having more subscribers and a bigger following would definitely be a big boost. Thank you to everyone who has been reading along since the beginning of the year. I know you’re all impatient to find out the ending, but we will get there soon!
And yes, I’m already thinking of a sequel…what do you think?
Seen. Heard. Enjoyed. Still Thinking About.
I am so lucky I got to attend Meghan Marsh King and Alex Cole’s Forage Retreat in Sonoma in early October. A gorgeous day of creative exploration, practice, and connection. On a morning walk we foraged for leaves, branches, feathers, pine cones, and then returned to Alex Cole’s studio to draw, write, paint, and learn. We shared beautiful meals, wine, and discussion, and I cannot remember having a better day. Visit Alex Cole’s website to learn about future retreats!
My friend Kim is an influencer who gets invited to lots of fun things, so I’m always honored and excited to be her plus-one. This time, we went to a special event at the SFMOMA for their new show Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture. It explores the confluence of sport with art, fashion, and play in a really interesting, interactive exhibit. A huge mural by Michael Jang, fashion by Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton and Thom Browne, paintings, objects, sneakers, a gigantic foos-ball table, and a four-way ping pong table are all included. The pieces are quirky and beautiful, unexpected, and yes, playful, but sometimes dark and haunting. Tabitha Soren (yes, the former MTV VJ) has a piece that mixes photographs of minor league baseball pitchers with the bone spurs (yeah, the actual bones) that got removed from their surgeries. It’s both beautiful and awful, and definitely a conversation-starter. Highly recommend for kids of all ages.
Overall, these months have been nice just to get together with friends and have fun whenever we can. It’s been feeling a little like “make hay while the sun shines”, and maybe we’ll be feeling more of that post-election. Again, I’m not sure. I’m appreciated every minute of colorful farmer’s markets, pumpkins on stoops, and impromptu gatherings.
San Francisco’s Litquake Festival was in early October and I attended a panel at City Lights Books about California literature and where it may be headed in future. This festival is a fun way to network with other local literaries and highly recommend popping into some of their events.
One of my Mom’s friends invited me to the annual luncheon for the 35th anniversary of the Homeless Prenatal Program at The Fairmont. I’m so happy to know about this amazing organization in San Francisco! HPP works with over 4000 families a year to help them find shelter, safety, opportunity, mentorship, meals, and medical care. They especially focus on prenatal care for homeless women, helping over 500 babies come into the world this last year — 98% of them at full term. This is such a valuable resource for the city and one I look forward to supporting in the future.
My friend Tabitha brought me along to the Golden State Warriors Home Opener at Chase Center which was a thrill. Sometimes it’s just nice to have an excuse to eat nachos, you know?
Absolutely laughed by way through all of Las Culturistas “The Iconic 400” series. I love Bowen and Matt and this list is epic and epically told. Plus the number 1 interview was worth it all entirely.
To be honest, I’ve been watching familiar trash on TV lately: housewives, bake offs, that kind of thing. It’s been comforting. Even the shows that I like I haven’t really bothered to finish, including the new season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer (Manu Rulfo is dreamy), Nobody Wants This, and Only Murders in the Building. Two of these are already my favorites, and while Nobody Wants This is definitely charming and I will finish it…eventually…I just didn’t have the attention span. While I did get through the Menendez Brothers documentary, I never got past the second episode of the Ryan Murphy series but I do hear it gets better…
Loved the latest season of Slow Horses. It was incredibly fast and twisty and more than one episode left me with my jaw on the floor. I also loved the documentary about Martha Stewart on Netflix. After Catholicism, Martha Stewart was kind of the second religion in our home growing up, with my Mom still holding onto her first editions of Entertaining and the rest to this day. There wasn’t a morning when Martha Stewart’s show wasn’t on in our kitchen, and while I am appalled at some of her prickly behavior, I’m equally appalled at the take down she went through at the hands of James Comey, who never fails to prosecute the wrong people. I am also a fan of Martha’s current second act (more like fourth, I guess?) and how she’s embraced her playful side and sense of humor as a cultural icon. She’s finally pulled the stick out of her ass and we are generally better for it. This documentary held me in thrall and I couldn’t look away.
That’s all I have, friends! Hoping to have more to offer you at the top of December. Enjoy these golden days while they last. Sending lots of love…