Call Me Maybe
Heavy on the "maybe" of it all
A scenario:
I’m sprawled across my bed, head hanging off the side so my phone reaches the charger. It’s not close to death, just at 19%, but the phone is old and I distrust it. On the other side of the line, my mom listens sympathetically while I bemoan my job situation. I’d interviewed at my previous school two days earlier, and they said they’d call this afternoon with an update. The thought of teaching again makes me want to hurl. But also, the economy. As I weigh pros and cons, another call comes in. It’s them. I quickly end my call and pick up.
They reject me.
Immediately, a sweet wave of relief washes over me. Freedom from the anticipated dread of making a decision. Intoxicatingly sweet.
Later, there’s a slight shock that they…THEY…rejected ME. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but teachers don’t want to teach! It’s pretty glum out there! Teacher shortage and all that! But I’m too enraptured with my continued funemployment to be too wounded by being passed over.
Reading
A historical romance vampire novel that felt like a love letter to my brain. Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas. I love a good star-crossed romance, I love tales of the Old West (especially from non-white perspectives), and MAN I love a monstrous vampire! This was the total package.
Enna Burning, the sequel to The Goose Girl. Not as engrossing as the first book, but still led me to some beautiful musings on rage and flames and balancing emotions. Shannon Hale can write! I’m only a decade or two late to the party.
Watching
Alex’s friend introduced Descendants songs into our daily listening rotation, so we finally watched the first movie. It’s the kids of Disney villains sent to the royal boarding school despite being outcasts, and was way better than I thought it would be? The music isn’t good, but the concept is cute enough. But y’all. Kathy Najimy is the Evil Queen from Snow White. Freaking KRISTEN CHENOWETH is Maleficent! People! These villains are camp royalty and I want more! Also, it helped Alex finally decide on a Halloween costume, which I found at Goodwill, so finally I won’t be desperately sewing/crafting a costume from scratch the night before trick-or-treating. Huzzah!
Watched the Anjelica Huston The Witches, and that movie is weirder than you remember. Trust me. What a delight.
Sacrificed my Friday to Scorsese and sat through Killers of the Flower Moon. It’s oppressively bleak (to be expected, since I did read the source material). I don’t think it needed to be 3.5 hours long, particularly with how rushed the third act felt. But great performances. The man can shoot a film. The beginning and the end were my favorites. I’ll say no more.
Buh-duh-duh, it’s the SNL Report!
OK, I’m Team Pete, always have been, can’t explain it. Seriously, I get the criticisms and even agree with them. And yet, I enjoy him on SNL. Sue me. So yeah, last week’s season premiere worked for me.
And if you haven’t seen this sketch, do yourself a favor and watch it now. And now, it’s the last full week of October. I’m going to try and pack in even more spooky films. Wish me luck. Hopefully we’re in for a horror bonanza next weekend. Well dear readers, stay safe, be well, and make good choices. Or at least, net positive choices.
