2. What to do when it is now
Hey how’s it going? It’s Joey.
While my laundry spins in my dryer, I decided to take some time to write down some thoughts about what is happening right NOW. Currently, I am surrounded by a mostly empty apartment except for some empty bins and the contents of my fridge. That’s right, I am in that awkward stage of moving.
Coming back to this space to do my laundry (until my new laundry machine is delivered next week) has been weird. At first it was sad. I really enjoyed living in this apartment, being on the third floor, sort of above and away from anything going on. It has been my refuge during the majority of the pandemic, a place I always know is there, and I know is mine. Seeing it empty left me feeling empty too. Was I really giving all that up to live in a rickety old house, which was further from work, smelled of sulfur, and had thousands of dollars of repairs to complete?
But as I kept sleeping in my new house, and kept returning here for various framed movie posters and foam core that yes, Jenny, I really do want to keep, that feeling of melancholy and loss faded. I was already creating new memories in a new place, a special place, that offers way different benefits than the familiar, third floor apartment. And really, what was it that I loved so much about living here? I almost never had friends over, my kitchen was cramped, and I never really figured out what to do with that extra space in my bedroom. I only ever went to one apartment event, which wasn’t even hosted the next year. Even the trails, that allowed for great running space, were hot and often snake infested.
What I’ve always found is that a change of scenery makes a huge difference. You become a different person when you are in a different place. Your environment shapes you constantly. But you also shape your environment. I’m always the most motivated the moment I start living somewhere new. It is so exciting deciding where everything goes and what you will change. With a house, you’re given an even wider canvas than with an apartment, since so much can be altered and changed without consulting anyone. I know at some point I will dread getting on the roof to clear the gutters, or crawling under the house, or talking to my neighbors, but right NOW, that all feels novel and new.
One thing I want to change, and want to do more of, is be involved in the local community. I truly am living the Affable Chat dream of being within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and that gives the me opportunity to become part of my little town. To show up to events and talk to my neighbors. Again, right NOW, that feels very easy and doable, but it is not something I’m used to.
The podcast has given me the opportunity to talk to all sorts of people, from all over the country, and that has given me taste of what it is like to be part of something bigger. We are all desperate for community, we are all looking to belong. Recognizing that and acting on it might be the only thing that saves us.
But in Podcast news…
There are currently two podcasts in raw form, one for “Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness”, hosted by myself and my friend Kevin (who also appeared on the Homebrewed Item’s Offscript episode), and another for “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, with myself, Benjamin and the Brothers Super Bracket (of the Super Bracket Bros Podcast). It’s an interesting contrast between these two movies, It’s almost Antz vs A Bugs Life in their similarities. And just as in that comparison, one movie is far better than the other. Everything Everywhere All At Once may as well be on my list of favorite movies, considering how much I think about it everyday, even while writing the post above, its springs to mind.
Also, I am interested in starting a fiction podcast with actors and music and stuff. But writing is easy, producing is harder. If any of you would like to help me make this a reality, reach out! I’ve got a radio play about memes and saving the world, and a satirical news podcast ala the Onion’s “The Topical”. As with everything, I can’t do it alone, and honestly, why would you even want to?
Oop! Laundry is done. Talk to again soon.
Joey
