What's News
Here's another quickie post—I've thrown myself into NaNoWriMo, so I won't be blogging again regularly for at least another month!
There is now a Youtube channel (with a million thanks to my friend M.A. Barrett for putting together such beautiful videos!) I'm planning to sit down in the next week or two and get a bunch more recorded. Like I said, this is going to be sort of like my video series from 2012, only much shorter—2-3 minutes long, and more generally creative. I'd love to hear your requests for future video topics!
Things I have written lately:
Why Success is a Crock (and What to Aim for Instead) on Medium
Bile and Begrudgery: How to Break Free of Your Own Bullshit on Medium
Creating a Life Without Envy (inspired by Hindu concepts of Oneness and Devotion) on Dead Darlings
Things that have been written lately about Life Without Envy:
Local Author offers 'Ego Management for Creative People', Philly Voice
"A Most Savage Plague": A Brief Encounter with Literary Envy, Kate Gilbert on Readers Unbound
Novelist Claire Hennessy transforms envy into pure admiration on Girls Heart Books
Podcast interviews:
Morning on the Dock #52 with my friend Elizabeth Duvivier of Squam Art Workshops
Tranquility du Jour #381: Life Without Envy with Kimberly Wilson
Another exciting thing:
I took a six-week illustration class at RISD and now I've committed to drawing (or just doodling—no pressure) every day for the next year.
A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Nov 5, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT
Thank you to everyone who's come out to my events over the past month-and-change, thank you for buying the book, and thank you for reading!
Pub Day!
A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Sep 27, 2016 at 5:54am PDT
Pub day sneaks up on me every time. I'm running around this week getting ready for the launch at Tres Gatos this weekend (special shout-out to Kelly B. for coming all the way from the state of Georgia!), but at some point I'm hoping to settle down to a bit of travel blogging. In the meantime, here are a few LWE-related links:
6 Ways to Manage Your Ego on Quick and Dirty Tips
Here's to Joy: 7 of the Best Books on Happiness on Signature Reads (thank you, Toby!)
Why Success is a Crock (and What to Aim for Instead) on Medium
Let me also draw your attention to my just-updated news and events page [UPDATE, 2024: unpublished since COVID, it’ll be back someday!], with the full details on my New York City event at the end of October, and huge thanks to Scott Korb for making this happen. I can't wait.
Thanks for your support, everyone—as always!
Home Again, and a Bunch of Updates
Home again, after the best trip yet. My friend Joelle and I were texting regularly all through our respective trips to Iceland and Asia, and after she got home she wrote,
I'm in that phase where it kind of feels like my trip didn't really happen. There's always a struggle to live just a little differently than I did before.
I've been turning those words over ever since. After this trip I am far less of a mystery to myself. I have finally begun to understand why I feel and react the way I do in difficult situations (and in truth, how I tend to create those difficult situations). I know I'm being vague here, but I may be remedying this soon (see next paragraph). For now, I'll just say that Joe Dispenza's book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself has more than secured a place on my (not-yet-official) list of the Most Useful and Enlightening Books I Have Ever Read. I'm looking forward to writing about exactly how and why it's helping me!
Now for Getting Specific: because Life Without Envy is on sale at the end of the month (!!), I'm doing the usual promotional thing, albeit on a scale that makes sense to me. One of LWE's essential messages is about making oneself useful, and I've been pondering how to walk my talk in ways that feel authentic and effective. Admittedly, there is a part of me who would much rather hole up and get back to writing fiction, but how can I write a book like Life Without Envy and then run away from my own advice on community building and becoming as honest as possible about one's messiest feelings?
You may recall that I posted a virtual writing workshop series on Youtube back in 2012, and I'm thinking about starting up something similar again—only with shorter (2 to 3-minute), more-to-the-point videos with frank advice on practical topics related to the book. That is one immediate way in which I can make myself useful.
I brainstormed topics. I made a list. "Success" Versus Satisfaction. Impostor Syndrome. How to Think Your Way Out of Self Loathing. (The IRONY of Self Loathing.)
Then, of course, my ego piped up. What if you post a bunch of videos and NOBODY RESPONDS, you loser? (I will say this over and over again: I wrote the book I most needed to read.)
Then I remembered something one of my new internet pals Alexis Donkin wrote in a recent newsletter:
Someone could be on the edge and read something we wrote and it sends them over. On the other hand, someone could read what we wrote and find solace, comfort, and rejuvenation. It just depends on our words - on our small actions.
That's why it's so important to choose our words and small actions carefully. That's why it's so important to be gentle – to be loving to ourselves and others.
What we say, what we write, how we act—it DOES matter. If I post a video and it turns one person's day around, then that is mission accomplished. Nobody has to go viral on Youtube in order to make the world a little bit kinder. (I actually have a specific anecdote on this topic—about overhearing a conversation in a restaurant that helped me lift myself out of a frighteningly gloomy mood—and I will share it on video.)
So yeah. I think I'm going to start a new Youtube channel, and if you have any topics you'd like me to cover (or other tips/suggestions), please let me know!
* * *
Now for some newsy things:
The wonderful Jamaica Plain restaurant-cum-bookstore Tres Gatos is hosting the Life Without Envy launch on Sunday, October 2nd starting at 3pm. Come early for brunch (alas, they aren't the most vegan-friendly place in town, but what options they do have are excellent). And do please RSVP on Facebook!
I'm also giving an hourlong Life Without Envy workshop at the Boston Book Festival on Saturday, October 15th, 2016. We'll have space for about thirty people. I can't imagine it'll be that crowded, but come early just in case!
* * *
And here's a quick link round-up, ICYMI on social media:
Immaculate Heart write-up in the Improper Bostonian
Life Without Envy in 18 Must-Read Nonfiction Books of September 2016 in Bustle
Why Having My Book Go Out of Print Was a Pretty Great Thing, After All in Publishers Weekly
My Intentional Writer interview with Alexis Donkin
* * *
More soon!
The Grand Tour of Asia
Oh, HELLO! I almost forgot I even have a blog. Moon Ireland revisions were frantic (I did get them done on time, though, whew!), and now I'm stoked to be working on a follow-up to Life Without Envy. I will get back to blogging someday, I just don't have any idea when.
September! Yeah, September. For sure-ish.
My next adventure is coming up very soon: a two-month backpacking trip with Seanan (and a few more friends, for different portions) around south-east Asia. My sister and the crew went to Indonesia back in February while I was in Ireland...
...and when I got home to New Jersey yesterday I was delighted to find a stack of rupiah waiting for me. Thank you, cookiesister!
You can follow me on Instagram for pics from Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Cambodia again, and Indonesia, in that order. We're plotting a trip to the Banda Islands for a DIY writing holiday towards the end. I am the luckiest person on the planet. (Luckier than Seanan, since he's got to put up with me.) In all seriousness, though, I have set some powerful intentions for this trip, and I'm insanely excited to see what happens.
A couple notes before I go:
There are three more Goodreads giveaways for Life Without Envy scheduled for the weeks of July 11th, August 8th, and August 30th...though September 27th will be here before we know it!And ICYMI, read this. I literally cried at my desk.
Happy summer, everybody! <3
Wish you were here, @fionaashleen. #beach #yoga
A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Jun 25, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT
Twenty Years Later
I'm remembering my beautiful grandmother today, twenty years after her passing.
Life Without Envy at the "Vulnerability Museum"
I'm coming out of Moon Ireland-induced hibernation to post something really cool: thanks to Ashley Kirsner, whom I met at #whatimake, my Life Without Envy preparatory mind map is traveling to North Adams, MA as part of the CommuniT Boston "Vulnerability Museum."If you're in western Mass, check it out at FIGMENT North Adams this Saturday, April 30th, beginning at 3pm. The exhibit will also be traveling to NYC at some point; I'll post details when I get them.
(Now back to frenzied Googling of updated tour and accommodation prices!)
#whatimake Slide Show and Resources
I'm just home from the first-ever #whatimake conference, and it was AMAAAAAZING. Proper post to follow, but in the meantime I want to drop my slide show and resources links here for any attendees who are looking for it. Thank you for coming! <3
#Whatimake excitement at @aeronautbrewing!!!
A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:25am PDT
Five Years Vegan
As I love to remind you each year, April is my veganversary month. I know I haven't done a proper vegan-themed post in ages, but it's not for lack of passion or interest. Between various other writing projects and commitments, I just don't have the bandwidth at the moment. (I know, I've been saying this. It's still true.) I'm stockpiling links and pictures and recipe ideas and philosophical musings (heh) for when I have more time to blog again.
And in the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram—my #vegan-themed posts are mixed in with Ireland travel pics and the occasional "yay, it's my book in the bookstore!" photo.
A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Apr 10, 2016 at 8:38pm PDT
Sunday baking for a #vegan potluck at @mirandashearth. @joyfulvegan's classic recipe for chocolate chip cookies. (Pic of coconut cupcakes coming next!) A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Apr 10, 2016 at 1:24pm PDT
A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Apr 9, 2016 at 11:24am PDT
Made goji-berry pecan granola this morning especially for @elliotsomethin & @crazyliberalkate! #breakfast #vegan A photo posted by Camille DeAngelis (@cometparty) on Mar 22, 2016 at 4:06pm PDT
Comet Party Yoga and Writing Retreat
[Update, 5/5/16: Alas, we haven't gotten the numbers we need to be able to run this retreat. If you're interested in participating the next time we try to run this thing, drop me a line!]
This is the last week to get the early-bird price ($300 instead of $350) on the first-ever Comet Party yoga and writing retreat with my dear teacher Anne Wichmann! Since I've been posting information about the retreat rather piecemeal, I thought I'd do one more post to gather all the info in one place.
When: Friday, May 20th (afternoon) to Sunday, May 22nd (afternoon), 2016
Where: Bethel Farm, Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Get psyched for long walks in the woods and the wood-fired sauna (maybe alternating with dips in the pond!)
What: Jivamukti yoga classes, meditation, and kirtan paired with intuitive writing sessions
Why: to relax, learn more about yourself, and meet lovely new people!
Meals: 100% vegan, baby! All allergies and dietary restrictions catered for (just let us know.)
Accommodation: small dorm-style with shared bath. (I know this set-up won't be for everyone, but I love the cozy summer-camp feel of the Bethel Farm guesthouse.)
Retreat schedule: here.
Transportation from Boston: we'll be organizing ride shares.
More about Jivamukti: it's an athletic yet well-rounded style of yoga, including chanting, breathwork, dharma talks, and meditation along with the asanas. I've found Jivamukti teachers to be the warmest and most giving yoga instructors I know. Oftentimes you'll get a quick warm-up shoulder massage with china gel (a menthol-based cream, very tingly and refreshing), and/or another little massage during savasana. Jivamukti teachers walk the talk when it comes to ahimsa, the principle of non-harming. Anne is a very chill and loving teacher.
More about Stephen Bethel (owner of Bethel Farm and another awesome Jivamukti teacher!) here.
What is "intuitive writing"? Good question! We'll be taking journaling to the next level with exercises designed to lift you out of your ordinary way of thinking, priming you for a transformative experience. Everything you write during this retreat is for your eyes only. You can get a sense of the type of writing exercises we'll be doing here. There's also a sneak preview of Life Without Envy in your retreat workbook!
You can register for this retreat either through Bethel Farm or by emailing me. Anne and I are so looking forward to it!
Lovefest
Last week several friends read Immaculate Heart and reached out by email, text, and social media to tell me just how much it affected them. (This is in addition to my sister and her in-laws forming a four-person book club on vacation!) I have wonderfully supportive family and friends, but I don't remember anyone calling me a "genius" before. Maybe this novel really is my best yet.
Man, @cometparty is such a genius. Holy shit. Go read Immaculate Heart right now! Go!https://t.co/Ea0kO4sPw2
— McCormick Templeman (@mtSpaceFace) April 1, 2016
I'm not posting the praise here to toot my own horn—I just want to acknowledge how much it all means to me, especially when there hasn't been much in terms of reviews or "buzz." I have smart friends and I value their opinions, and those opinions will continue to hearten me on days when I wonder how I can continue to make a sort-of-living in publishing.
How is the operative word, though—not if.
I can either reach for hitherto-unrecognized opportunities—making my own opportunities—logging even more time at the Writers' Room than I already do (and loving every minute), or I can think and act as if my disappointing sales figures will dictate my future career....Yeah, right.
Of all the gorgeous heartfelt praise I received last week, there was one piece I most needed to hear. My friend Keith texted me on Wednesday afternoon as soon as he finished the book, asking me to call him as soon as possible. We talked about who (plural) inspired my narrator, why I'd made certain narrative decisions, and his actual physical reactions as he read the closing pages. Keith said, I hope you know your own power.
And I got goosebumps.
So thank you, my friends—thank you Ailbhe, thank you Angela, thank you McCormick, thank you Susan, thank you Mackenzi, thank you Keith. Thank you, everyone, for buying my books, reading them, and talking them up to anyone who will listen. The writing may be its own reward, but the icing is the most delicious part of the cake.
Launch Night!
Well, it was another glorious whirlwind of a launch weekend! Porter Square Books did a great job, as always, and even though the crowd was a bit smaller than last year (lots of friends were out of town for Easter weekend) there were more unfamiliar faces in the audience, which was really neat. And Mackenzi, of course, gave me the sweetest introduction.
Launching @cometparty's Immaculate Heart.
A photo posted by Porter Square Books (@porter_square_books) on Mar 25, 2016 at 4:15pm PDT
I have a bunch of favorite moments, but here are a few. I decided to read the poitín passage on pages 152-158 (beginning with Síle's journal entry and ending with the nightmare at the end of the chapter), and since I always love hearing how a seed of an idea grows into completion, I started off by reading a text message Seanan sent me on December 22, 2007:
Had a poitín tasting tonight. 20 year old bottle and more recent vintage. One tasted like whiskey made from battery acid and the other tasted like vodka made from battery acid. We'll keep some for your next time.
I'm always a little surprised (delighted, but surprised!) when people tell me I'm funny. I got a lot of laughs throughout. (Credit for the funny text message goes to my friend, of course, but I did deliver with good comic timing, if I do say so myself.)
"she's probably my favorite person in the world" Congratulations Camille!!! @cometparty#immaculateheartpic.twitter.com/4R8waf2Pvp — Tina M Giarla (@tinamariegiarla) March 25, 2016
My other favorite moment came at the end, when I was signing stock—there was an internet order from my fourth-grade teacher on the top of the stack! I have such happy memories of her reading historical novels to us after recess each day. That was a sweet moment. And needless to say, there were no more cupcakes left by the end of the night.
@cometparty at her Immaculate Heart book launch with her disappearing gluten free vegan cupcakes. 🍀 A photo posted by spatialh (@spatialh) on Mar 25, 2016 at 4:21pm PDT
I've promised to post the cupcake recipes, so here they are:
Gingerbread cupcakes with lemon icing from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
Carrot with vanilla icing from the Babycakes cookbook (though the icing recipe is from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World)
Chocolate lavender with coconut cream topping (using maple syrup instead of honey)
Vanilla with butterscotch icing and coconut bacon (but again, I used the basic frosting recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World with 3/4 tsp. butterscotch extract in lieu of vanilla extract; I tried the original recipe for Kelly's birthday picnic last summer and the frosting melted all over the place, so I'm sticking with what works best!)
I would have taken a picture of my cupcake at @cometparty's book launch but I ate it too fast. #priorities— annie cardi (@anniecardi) March 25, 2016
I made all the cupcakes gluten free this time—just subbing Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flour plus one teaspoon of xanthan gum for regular flour in the gingerbread and vanilla recipes. (The other two were already gluten free.) I am super pleased with how the vanilla/butterscotch/coco-bacon cupcakes turned out—I'd tried a bunch of vanilla cupcake recipes and none of them were light and fluffy as promised until Kathy Patalsky's version. She is a genius!
Vegan cupcakes and lollipops and a great reading = a perfect book launch party @cometparty@PorterSqBookspic.twitter.com/V8BsdqoJL2— Barbara Rhodes (@librarygirl56) March 26, 2016
Details on the launch dress coming in a future post. ;)
Pub Day!
Immaculate Heart is on sale today! The fanfare this time around has been, shall we say, muted—but it is my best work so far, and I feel good about that. If you're in the Boston area, I really hope you can help me celebrate at Porter Square Books this Friday, March 25th, at 7pm. There'll be a (vegan, gluten-free) cupcake with your name on it.
Otherwise, if you wanted to pick up a copy of the book, well, that would be amazing. Thank you very much for your support!
Porter Square Books (order this way and you get the book signed along with a set of three original Ireland postcards—at least until I run out of them!)
Yesterday I was ruminating on the phrase the work is its own reward. It sounds pat on one hand and downright ludicrous on the other, if you're hoping (as I am) to make a living at this whole wacky business. It's true, though. I write to bring whole new worlds into being—to thrill and entertain and inspire and comfort myself, so that hopefully I'll end up thrilling and entertaining you too.
St. Patrick's Day, and other tidbits
A few fun things to report today: first, to celebrate St. Paddy's Day, I've written a round-up of my favorite haunted (or at least haunting) places in Ireland over at PopSugar.
In case you missed my post-apocalyptic library essay the first time around, the lovely folks over at Dead Darlings have reposted it today.
And best of all: the first review of Immaculate Heart, in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Next week is launch week, so expect more pictures of cupcake decorating!
Bookiversary!
Today feels quite shiny and special. I don't know that I've ever told this story on the blog, so here goes.
In January 2006 I went back to Ireland and rented a car (a series of them, actually, ha) to research the first edition of Moon Ireland. This was my second paid writing gig (after co-writing Hanging Out in Ireland the summer after my freshman year of college), but this time I was working on my own guidebook for proper money. My primary ambition had always been to publish a novel, but after my experience with the practice novel I was feeling more anxious than excited when Kate Garrick submitted Mary Modern to a bunch of editors that February.
This time, though, there were several nibbles. More than one editor wanted to make an offer, Kate said. I felt even more nervous. She set the closing date for Friday, March 14th at 3pm.
At the end of that week I was staying at a hostel in Leenane (in Connemara), and had fallen in with Kevin, a fellow writer from Dublin, and Tom, an American in his sixties who was working as a handyman at the hostel. The guys promised to help me celebrate in the event of good news (HA, of course you will!)
I gave Kate the hostel phone number, emailed my family and asked them to think good thoughts, and refreshed my inbox repeatedly on the hostel computer until I remembered that I'd only be receiving bad news that way. Good news always comes by phone. [I have since learned that certain kinds of bad news come by phone, too, but we won't dwell on that.]
I very vividly remember sitting on a dormitory floor early that evening, voicing my anxiety to Kevin, who was sympathetic. It's one o'clock in New York, I said. This isn't gonna happen. It's not going to sell and I don't know what I'm going to do.
After a little while we heard the phone ring downstairs. "It's Random House calling!" Kevin declared (and if he was mocking me he did so affectionately.)
Then we heard footsteps on the stairs. "No, really. I think it's for you!"
I crouched on the floor, my heart in my throat. The guy working the front desk called my name. HOLY S**T IT HAS TO BE KATE IT'S GOOD NEWS.
I ran to the door and grabbed the cordless, and when Kate told me we'd gotten an offer from Sally at Shaye Areheart/Crown I blubbered every single expletive in my vocabulary.
We drove into town. I bought all the Guinness Kevin asked for. We had a good night.
Time to Regroup!
HelllllllOOOOOooooooooo!
I'm back from Ireland and getting ready for a busy couple of months. Here's a quick rundown; hopefully I'll be back to posting regularly next week (even if it's just trip photos, hah.)
Firstly, the Writers' Room of Boston spring party-slash-open-house is scheduled for this Thursday, March 10th, starting at 6pm. Details here. I don't know that any of you lovely blog readers are local enough to come out to this, but I figured I'd mention it just in case. I'll be test-baking cupcake flavor #4, which will definitely be something fruity.
What's that? You want to hear more about the cupcakes?!
Isn't it interesting how everybody says my books are delicious? BWAHAHAHAHA.
After the Immaculate Heart launch, I'll be preparing to give a presentation (Private Writing for Public Impact) and workshop (Mind Mapping for Self-Discovery) at #WhatIMake at the Aeronaut Brewery right here in Somerville on Saturday, April 16th. Details and Facebook RSVP here! (Tickets are $35 until April 1st, so if you're interested definitely buy them now. They're $45 at the door.)
Finally, registration is now open for our writing and yoga retreat at Bethel Farm! Email me to register or if you have any Qs. Anne will be leaving us Boston yogis soon after (*SOB!*) for the Big Apple, so we're going to make the weekend extra festive. $300 early bird price is good until April 15th.
#MoonIreland
I'm leaving for Ireland soon, and while I'm there you can keep up with me on Instagram. (I should have known it would become my new social-media-crack-of-choice once I finally got a smartphone!!)
Things I’m Doing Instead of Blogging
Re-revising the book of my heart.
Planning my research trip for Moon Ireland 2.0.
Champagne toasts (in plastic cups; I’m not that classy.) Because I won something!
Talking about monsters with my pals MarcyKate, Marika, and Mackenzi at the Writers' Loft.
"Writing monsters" with some fab ladies at the Writers Loft!
A photo posted by Sarah Jean Horwitz (@sunshinejh) on Jan 16, 2016 at 11:05am PST
Teaching my first sewing 101 class (yay!) at Craftwork.
Gearing up for the Immaculate Heart release: answering interview questions, gathering pictures for a photo essay, deciding on a cupcake menu and suchlike. (RSVP for the March 25th book launch here!)
I’m not sure how long it’ll be before I have the time and enthusiasm for blogging again, but I’ll be back eventually. :)
Life Without Envy, and Marvin the Time-Traveling Armchair
Happy New Year, everybody! May 2016 be your awesomest year yet.
Here's why I'm feeling pretty darn excited about 2016, myself:
Pub date is much sooner than I expected (and when does that ever happen?!): September 27th, 2016! I'm working on a proper book page now.
I don't have much to say (yet) apart from the cover reveal, but it did occur to me after posting my latest decluttering update that there's one corner of my room which is quite perfect: I found this armchair in an antiques shop in Providence last New Year's Eve, and fell instantly in love. His name is Marvin and he has the ability to zip anyone who sits in him through the fourth dimension to the destination of their choice.
Organizationally speaking, it's the DIY project bag rack (sewing instructions here) that is noteworthy. I'm also planning to recover that 1930s folding chair to Marvin's right with the vintage-inspired upholstery fabric you see folded on top. (I'm so sad Grey's Fabric is leaving Boston!!)
The Aspirational Lightness of Being, part 3
Truth be told, I kinda forgot I even had a blog for a few weeks there. I've been busy with Life Without Envy revisions (it's in the spring 2017 catalog! eeeeeeeeee! and we almost have a cover!), redecorating my room (after my landlord painted it while I was away in Ireland and Georgia), holiday prep, and various social outings (more than usual; that time of year, I guess!) And when I did think about the blog, I remembered all the projects I have temporarily abandoned—the indie bookstore appreciation, Hinduism 101, Vegan by the Seat of Your Pants, travel recaps, and a few more besides. Blogging is no fun when you start thinking in terms of shoulds.
Well, if every other year has started with resolutions about new projects, maybe this time I'll resolve to wrap up some projects that are already on the table. For now, because of all the room redecorating, I'm still a little bit obsessed with what I'm calling aspirational minimalism—so here's a post I started writing before I left.
* * *
Some of you lovely blog readers prefer to reply via email rather than commenting below. I received this response to a recent post about recycling my grade-school artwork:
But if you are photographing it, are you really tossing your artwork? Are you REALLY shedding that skin?
Crocheted clown dolls our cousin Ann gave our mother at my baby shower. Ann agrees they are creepy and gave me her blessing to dispose of them.
Touché, my friend. Maybe someday I will be the kind of person who burns all her old journals and lives with little more than basic cooking utensils and a few sets of clothing, but I am not there yet. (HAAAAAAAA.) I know that if I had trashed all those drawings and paintings without taking some photographs, I would already be regretting it. The main thing for me right now is to get rid of all the old stuff that is taking up physical space. I believe that domestic clutter is always a reflection of emotional and psychic clutter; and if this new mantra sounds simplistic, it really doesn't matter, because each time I get rid of a bunch of stuff I feel noticeably better about myself, noticeably lighter. So if you are beginning to suspect that there may be many more installments of this "Aspirational Lightness" business, you are probably correct.
Because my landlord was painting while I was gone, I spent a few days before I left boxing everything up and hiding it in my closet and crawl space. Ideally I would have sorted through the paper piles—yes, those notes from my NYU days are still here—but I only managed to get rid of what was obviously a waste of space and could be recycled with little effort. At first I'd bristled at Marie Kondo's declaration that NO ONE needs to hold onto ANY PIECE OF PAPER, EVER. I am a writer, you know. I write on paper. I neeeeeeeeed it!
Well, I need some of it, but only for now. Notes for current and future projects? Yes. Drafts of books that have already been published? No.
Why am I saving this? It's not just writing, of course. I'd started a file ("file" as in another paper bag, haha) called "read and recycle." Then I realized I'd been collecting these articles to read since I moved to Boston two and a half years ago, and in those two and a half years I had not gotten around to reading any of them.
Life is short, my friends. I recycled the lot.
I also got rid of a bunch of Christmas, birthday, and thank-you cards. I'd strung these up in festoons from the ceiling, which made my space feel a little like a dorm room. I took them down and recycled most of them. As for non-paper clutter, last week I finally bought myself a dresser. I'd been stacking clean clothes on a shelf in my closet, but I have to push the hanging clothes aside and reach into the dark for what I need. Not at all ideal. I got an unfinished dresser from the Bookcase Factory Outlet (not far from Porter Square) and at some point I'll finish it myself. Thanks to all the sewing I've done this year, I've found it pretty easy to "edit" my wardrobe down to the things I actually wear—but I still need a convenient place to store them. I've sorted through my fabric scraps, so I have a big bag of stuff to Freecycle. The fabric I'm keeping is folded away in a set of plastic drawers under my work table, but as you can see, I still need neater and more attractive ways of storing my art supplies (and current sewing projects and stack of mending). I'm thinking I'll cover some cardboard boxes with pretty paper.
That box at the top left is full of old notes though. My new strategy is to bring all that stuff to the Writers' Room, parcel it into manageable chunks and go through one stack at the beginning or end of each writing session. We'll see how that goes...
* * *
And on a completely different note, I have some SUPER EXCITING NEWS...Two of my very favorite people in the whole universe are getting hitched! (Can you see the post-proposal glowiness in that picture?? I have never seen Elliot so excited!)
I actually want to write about how these two totally having their s**t together inspires me to follow suit. Yet another post to add to the 2016 to-do list. ;)
Seven Days in Ireland
Two nights in Galway with Ailbhe and Christian and Shelley and A&C's ridiculously cute kiddos, down to Tipperary to see Seanan's folks, weekend in Dingle and back to Tipp for one more night before heading up to Dublin on the train (which was a treat, faster and more comfortable than the bus—Seanan found me a €15 web fare). It was lovely to be able to say "see you again in February." I'll be back to revise my guidebook!
Big thanks to my aunt Kathy for giving me (yes, GIVING me) her Nikon SLR camera. It was so very generous of her. I'm excited to take a digital photography class in the next couple months so I can learn how to use it beyond the basics!