Hot nerd summer is here with emphasis on the hot!
SONG INSPIRATION
This month’s blog is inspired by Son Lux’s Easy.
A MONTH ON THE ROAD – PITTSBURGH
After a challenging academic year, I needed a change of scenery. I spent the last weekend in May and the entire month of June on the road (and in the air). I started in Pittsburgh where I attended a friend and collaborator’s wedding. Easily one of my top 3 favorite weddings. It was small, intimate, yet casual. I enjoyed several meaningful interactions with both the bride and groom not to mention in depth conversations with other guests. I even had a motivating conversation with a published author, which gave me a swift kick in the ‘chase your dreams’ rear. I found the non-traditional aspects (e.g., lack of religious overtones and a formal reception, short duration, non-traditional gender roles) extremely illuminating which spurred thoughts on interpretations of various relationships. The experience was a great example of perfect weather + cool people = good vibes.
A MONTH ON THE ROAD – GULF COAST
After the wedding, I traveled south and spent a week with my parents. Quality time is precious. I haven’t visited home during the summer since 2018, and I’d almost forgotten the oppressive humidity of the Deep South. Almost. Despite the swamp ass, it felt good to live at a slower pace. I also caught up with some extended family and neighbors who were a significant part of my upbringing. It was bittersweet for everyone is aging – with my parents both in their 70s now. Perhaps most egregious is that I missed the new addition to our family by 4 days ☹ I suppose I’ll meet Pepper later this fall.
A MONTH ON THE ROAD – THE SOUTHWEST
I traded muggy heat for hotter, drier heat. I attended a high school graduation and caught up with close friends. The most exciting part? A bomb threat called into the hotel where I was staying. WTAF!? Annoying ass pranks aside, at this point in my travels, I’d begun to see the fabric of my life consisting of many interwoven relationships. Some strands remain strong while others fray or unravel. Each place I visited felt distinctly different than even a year or two ago. I think we get so comfortable in routine that we sometimes assume our connections to people and places are permanent. But life is dynamic.
A MONTH ON THE ROAD – JAPAN
It’s been 2.5 years since I last visited the Fire Nation, and I felt it. For one, my command of Japanese, like the yen, has weakened. This caused me a great deal of frustration as I listened to spoken Japanese, deciphered signage, and struggled to recall certain words and phrases. I’m hoping to reverse this trend now that I’ve purchased a new language course. I may even engage in the language tables during the academic year to practice. The most meaningful aspects of the trip? Dyeing fabrics and sharing a meal with my Japanese friends and attending my first kabuki performance. The most anxiety inducing aspects? The 3 earthquakes and 2 typhoons. Regardless, I’m already making a list of new places and experiences for next time.
CURRENT BOOKS AND SHOWS
Recently finished reading: N/A
Currently reading: New York 2140; Petrology and Plate Tectonics: an Earth Systems Approach
Recently finished watching: For All Mankind (s5); Jujitsu Kaisen (s3 – The Culling Game); Law and Order (s9); Scrubs (2026 – s1)
- For All Mankind (s5) was an action-packed adventure albeit very reminiscent of Red Mars in terms of the central conflict.
- Jujitsu Kaisen (s3) was my least favorite season. The animation and action sequences remain top tier. However, the Culling Game just doesn’t appeal to me. It feels almost like tournament filler.
- Law and Order remains a staple for my mornings before work and whenever I need background noise.
- The new Scrubs series was a heart-warming blend of nostalgia, comedy, and touching moments. The episodes improved as the season progressed, and the cast retained their chemistry.
Currently watching: Beastars (The Final Season); House of the Dragon (s3); Law and Order (s10); The Floor (s5)
Thank you for reading! The next blog is scheduled for Thursday, July 30th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 