Pandemic Comforts for Hope and Joy
For the last two years I’ve felt like someone walking on the edge of a precipice. I’m still going, still moving forward — but a gentle shove would knock me right into the abyss at my side. Is it possible were emerging from that now? Perhaps I can take a few steps away from the edge?
But when I consider that possibility, it’s hardly like the emergency is over — we just move from one to the next with all the jump cuts of a poorly edited video. War; cost of living; Brexit; the consistent lack of accountability from our prime minister who clings to power no matter the damage; climate change; pandemic; insurrection; escalating every day attacks on Queer rights and jk rowling’s transphobia trending on twitter every bloody week.
Breathe.
That’s all to say — it’s a mess. I’m a mess. But that’s not what this post is about.
In all these crises, there are comforts, and signposts. In my first piece of personal writing since the beforetimes, I want to celebrate the writers and artists who have carried me through it all, who are reliable anchors against what comes next. There are always people who make the things that make the world better, and make me better.
So I want to share recommendations, and also use this space to say thank you. I appreciate every person involved in all these creations who helped me get through the dark, and I hope you too found helpful art for these times.
The brotherly connections of Hank and John Green
These two guys, and their shared wisdom, have been a comfort to me for about a decade. I think it is a testament to their commitment and growth, that they stay a right voice for all the ways I have changed too.
Some days I have no energy for anything after work — a book looks intimidating and the tv/games too loud, but those 4 minute twice weekly youtube videos from Vlogbrothers have been just right.
Whilst they often give them names that makes it hard to find the good ones again, Crossing the Sad Gap and Loving the Loves of Your Loves both give you an idea of what they are, and may fit for whether you are in a sad/joyous mood right now.
My other regular comfort is long baths whilst listening to podcasts, and their pods — either Dear Hank & John or The Anthropocene Reviewed — are regular accompaniments to hot water and bubbles.
From the desk of Alicia Kennedy
Ever since I started subscribing to Alicia Kennedy’s newsletters they have been a weekly joy. I have never before followed food writing, and she has been my brilliant gateway. It’s a little bit like what Marianela and I have done with our podcast, but rather than technology + society, it centres on the way food connects into the world and society. There’s something about the passion, curiosity and deep dives that feels fresh and inspiring.
It has got me trying out new recipes, reading other magazines about food and buying new books on cooking. My favourite essay is the one ‘On Gleaning.’, which resonates with how I like to learn.
Dungeons and Dragons
Almost every week during the pandemic my friends and I gathered on video calls, Discord, and Roll20 to play the Dungeons & Dragons game ~The Curse of Strahd~, an adventure gothic horror that riffs off Dracula.
We were all locked into our houses and also trapped inside the mists of Borovia, but at least we could do something about the latter.
Coming back to work on Monday having explored a snow-smothered temple filled with flame skulls and amber sarcophagi entombing dark spirits, tempting us with questionable gifts — that made it feel like I’d really done something!
You can buy and run Curse of Strahd yourself, though every game of D&D is different because you create the story together. If you’re interested in learning more about what D&D is, here’s a short video introduction.
My friendship group got even closer as a result of going on these adventures together, and our latest game inspired me enough to write music for it: D&D, you make my heart sing.
The Audicacity substack from Roxanne Gay
There’s so much you get with this substack newsletter— at least three different types of content.
Firstly, the regular letters from Roxanne Gay herself, “the Audacious roundup”, is a letter to the reader, fun/weird tweet collections and many many interesting links to go explore and drown in stories. Most of my Pocket is these links.
Secondly, there’s the essays. She also curates an Emerging Writer series — every two weeks a thoughtful essay from a new writer. Many of these guest pieces have just stayed rattling round my head ever since.
The third element isautobiographical comics from Aubrey Hirsch, on topics like health and motherhood and American politics.
So overall, there’s a lot of value to being signed up to it, and endless interesting offshoots to explore.
Queer Astrology
I don’t believe in astrology; I know it is not real. Ok. Now that my disclaimer is out the way — I am absolutely 100% a Virgo! They got me. I love every Instagram post about Virgos and our spreadsheets and love of control and also nice stationary.
So I’ve been signed up to and reading Corina Dross’ Queer horoscopes for a couple years now. I got into it from Autostraddle, then signed up for the dedicated expanded monthly reading. I take it as a focus — rather than a prediction — a start of the month pause to think about what the next four weeks could be.
If this surprises you or seems out of character for me — yeah me too. But can you say no to writing like this?
“[ immerse yourself in] all the conversations that break open your worldview like the sun rising in a desert land you never knew had so many wildflowers.”
And on tarot, Cameron from interruptions is a more recent addition to my life, providing meandering essays that sometimes use cards as starting points for thoughts reflecting on chronic illness and mental health. Meditation against meditation was recently lovely, and a good jumping-in point.
Whilst the world may not be getting brighter, I wish that some of these may brighten your individual day, inspire you and entertain you.
