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Ryan Rose Weaver (she/hers)'s avatar

I wrote about doldrums this week too!

My solution is twofold. (1) Make up elaborate stories and new traditions for this time. (2) Co-opt any old traditions to which you have a semi-reasonable ancestral claim. (In addition to having a badass goddess to worship instead of a groundhog at this time, the British Isles also have boxty, which seems good, and the French have crepes, which are obviously great.)

https://ryanroseweaver.substack.com/p/4-telling-my-son-stories-in-order

Also, I'm glad that I'm not the only person who can't stop thinking about that NYMag piece.

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Josh Gondelman's avatar

Ooo thank you for sharing this!!!

And yes that piece really did its job imo!

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Ryan Rose Weaver (she/hers)'s avatar

The bit about astrology being “made-up star bullshit” in particular made me feel both attacked and entertained. (Entertacked?)

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Peter Gudlewski's avatar

Two things, 1) that description of Belle and Sebastian’s music sounding the way Wes Anderson’s movies look is new to me and so perfectly spot on, I love it. B) I laughed till I cried at "the felt ceiling", and I have to say, it had never dawned on me that someone would be a professional mascot, so kudos to K for working on that dream, that's awesome!

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Myq Kaplan's avatar

dear josh,

love you!

love the word "doldrums."*

love "what would a person do?"

i think a person would love you!

and a person does!

great words about bodies, friend!

great superman impression as well!

great newsletter!

love you bud,

myq

PS that "bread doesn't qualify as bread" tidbit is BANANAS! (not banana bread though.)

* is there a positive flipside word to "doldrums" that means the opposite?

if not, could there be? a person wants to know!

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Josh Gondelman's avatar

This is such a great question about reverse doldrums. I don't know if there's a noun version. I feel like the closest we have is like "being in the zone." But we should have one word like on-a-rolldrums or something similar! Love you! - Josh

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Myq Kaplan's avatar

i love "on-a-rolldrums"!

or listening to the bold-drums or the gold-drums!

you've got to know when to hold drums and know when to good night everybody!

love you buddy, thank you!

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Laura Patranella's avatar

It’s been so long since I’ve listened to Belle and Sebastian, thanks for the reminder!

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Josh Gondelman's avatar

My pleasure! They have put out a TON of music that just slipped by me.

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GritsyRoss's avatar

I don’t think you’re wrong about the body image stuff! I’m fat and disabled, and finding community in both those identities has been hugely helpful for my mental health.

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Josh Gondelman's avatar

Thank you for saying so!

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Micheline Maynard's avatar

“What would a person do?” is a common sense, pleasant way of resolving dilemmas. PS: I wrote about the list today, too. I defended Edible Arrangements.

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Josh Gondelman's avatar

Someone has to!!!

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appleton king's avatar

"im a control freak who doesn't like massages"

purrrrrrfect!

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Feb 6, 2023
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Josh Gondelman's avatar

I don't mean like that!!!! Hahahah.

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