May You Live in Interesting Times
Some believe the expression “May you live in interesting times” is in fact not a blessing but a curse—meant ironically, since life is better in times of peace and free of trouble. 2020 is a prime example. From Covid-19 and its global ramifications to the racial turmoil taking place in the United States (surprisingly kicked off here in Minneapolis, Minnesota), it seems God or Mother Nature or karma is sending us a message: get it together or I will remind you just how small you all are.
I suppose one positive thing about being sequestered for months on end is the opportunity for self-reflection and introspection. We’re also given time to explain to our children the tumult of the world and how they can approach the future with a more positive outlook to exact change. Children are far more malleable than adults, so it’s imperative to start any discussion from a position of honesty and clarity, which is difficult when children are younger than ten. Thankfully, as we’re reminded time and time again, children are always more aware than we give them credit for. We’ve been blessed in this regard. The schools our kids attended in California and attend here in Minnesota have been champions of diversity, and to this day, they still view the world through a lens devoid of race, gender, and ideology. Descriptions of their friends always begin with ‘who’ they are and not ‘what’. It makes me optimistic for the future.
While it’s hard to deal with social issues while confined at home, we have plenty of time to look for other avenues of escapism. One is television, or as it was affectionately known as we were growing up: the boob-tube. For many people, myself included, the quality of television has surpassed that of film, and the wife and I have enjoyed getting to binge a few shows we wouldn’t normally have time for. The wife loves true crime, so we watched lowbrow shows like Tiger King, and really messed up shows like Don’t F**k With Cats. Series like Upload, Outer Banks, the Rookie, Russian Doll, Castlevania, Lost in Space, Ozarks, and Dexter have provided hours of entertainment. It sounds like a lot, and it is, especially when our regular viewing time is one hour a night.
My other outlet is books. And the more I read, the more I am reminded how much I love doing it. And to me, there is no visceral medium that can replicate the reading experience. It’s still storytelling at it’s finest because it involves the human imagination to fill in blanks and to expand beyond the author’s story until the reader becomes more than passenger, but participant. I love reading, and have enjoyed using the extra free time catching up on some classics. I’ve been plowing through the Wheel of Time fantasy series. Leigh Barugo’s lush writing brought Crooked Kingdom to life, as did Matt Haig’s How to Stop Time. Wanders by Chuck Wendig was so good, but creepy during a pandemic. Stiff, Aurora Rising, the Burned Giant, A Visit From the Goon Squad, Foundryside, and a handful of non-fiction titles have rounded out the paper pallette.
Am I leaving something out? Oh, yeah. Writing. I’ve been able to do a little of that too. In fact, my latest endeavor is finished and off to the editor, after which I’m going to try and find it a home with a traditional publisher. Fear not, indie readers. It’s much harder said than done. While the book is very sellable, the author is less so given contemporary guidelines, and that plays a much more significant role in today’s marketplace than ever before. So, there’s still a strong possibility this one will get self-published. And, for the record, it’s the best thing I’ve written to date. I’m very excited to get it into the hands of readers everywhere. I should know in another two weeks where we stand, and I’ll post a better update then.
Until that time, I’ll continue to focus on sending positive vibes out into the world. I hope you and yours are safe and healthy. And I hope you’re finding time to read, relax, and find moments of joy and peace.
As always, be good to each other and yourself. And happy reading.