Arriving to my hometown of Bowling Green, KY was like opening a door that leads to a dusty old closet stuffed with all the childhood belongings you never sorted through and haven't thought of in ten years. Only instead of dust clouding the air, it is a thick, wet humidity that wraps you in sticky heat. Cue panic.
Now that I'm here, I can feel that it has been awhile. The air no longer feels like home and I had to use my GPS. Oddly, I still remember the exact location of every waffle house in town.
The feeling isn't so much unnerving... just unsettling and in a couple days I will resettle, as I always do when I enter a new space. But that's just it--it feels like settling a new frontier. In a way, I'm glad for such a feeling, as it means I have allowed myself to grow apart, grow out, and indicates that my headspace hasn't been used up thinking of the past.
I need a nap.
To update folks who wish to know about this seemingly interesting life I lead (seemingly=key):
I unexpectedly spent the summer out west, getting my feet wet with cob in Montana and enjoying a love affair in Colorado near the soothing Yampa river. July was filled with coffee mornings and starry nights, learning how to shoot guns, blundering about with saws and drills, and quiet evenings reading while watching the sun set over the grand MT mountains. Oh, and I entered my mid twenties. (?!)
I am so very grateful for all I was able to experience this summer thus far, and despite a somewhat treacherous drive from my home in WA to my home in BG (near-accidents and downpours at night, midnight cicada-covered tent set-ups in newly swampy air), I am glad to be here, too, ready to hug the friends I haven't seen in too long and, especially, indulge in Judy's Castle.
I would like to leave you with recommendations for some inputs for ya brains:
2 Dope Queens
https://www.wnyc.org/shows/dopequeens
Genre: comedy, woke-shit podcast
The hosts, Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams are absolutely stellar. They aim to make people the stars of their own stories and provide a platform to promote primarily comedians of color, women and LGBTQIA performers. I spent eight hours listening in the car and snorted so hard my nose ring almost came out. GIVE A LISTEN! I especially recommend "Who is Jeff Tweedy" because Naomi Ekperigin is amazing.
Invisibilia
http://www.npr.org/podcasts/510307/invisibilia
Genre: informative, investigative, story-centered podcast
"Invisibilia (Latin for invisible things) is about the invisible forces that control human behavior – ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions. Co-hosted by Lulu Miller, Hanna Rosin and Alix Spiegel, Invisibilia interweaves narrative storytelling with scientific research that will ultimately make you see your own life differently." I especially recommend "The Culture Inside" and "Reality Part One."
Dreams of My Father
Genre: autobiography, enrapturing book
Written by Obama when he was still a junior senator, the story illuminates his own personal struggle with his identity and his journey to find and nurture his roots. Relatable for everyone who seeks belonging and may be especially informative to folks who aren't familiar with our racially divided world (i.e. those who don't see color).
Damn.
Genre: rap album
I shouldn't have to recommend this to anyone because y'all should have already listened to it at least 10 times through. But in case you haven't, it is Kendrick Lamar's 2017 album. Carve out some time to lay down and listen. Don't multitask! Just fucking listen.
Shout out to my dope-ass friends for your recommendations. I wouldn't be cool without you.
59 days until I meet my group in Guwahati, India. Oh shiiiiiiit.
