18 Comments
Aug 27·edited Aug 27Liked by E. Sjule

I definitely go hard sometimes - for weeks at a time - when I find a project that captivates me. Then I need time off to recharge.

I hear cuddles can help

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Sep 4Liked by E. Sjule

Kinda thinking that "Mat Drinks Tea" Illustrated by E. Sjule will dominate the Substack charts.

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I hear back massages are even better.

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Sep 4Liked by E. Sjule

Love that song by Los Campesinos! — I'd never heard of them before this.

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Omg, yes, right?! I was really into them in the early 2010's and just recently rediscovered them again.

This entire album of theirs is absolutely excellent.

Incredible energy, so playful and joyous (also sometimes sad).

On top of this, almost every song is a straight.up.BOP!

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im not sure but figured id stash marshmellows within easy reach no doubt your timing will be totally rando

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my husband just bought a box of donut holes? what if I just inhale all of them right now?

I think this will play out well.

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a drawing by you of you doing just that is equal parts horrifying and 🤔...delightful 🤪

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I see it all too clearly in my head XD

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Keep a fire extinguisher handy (Wine? Pot? Meditation? Whatever floats your boat. Mine happens to be a good book.) and you'll be just fine. Don't panic, it won't be long before your cutie will be able to wipe her own butt. Pretty damn good for "chicken scratching," BTW. 😎 I'm on the other end of the spectrum, caring for my elderly fil, and not at all productive otherwise, but all is good. Just keep reminding yourself that you're doing VERY IMPORTANT WORK right now, take time out for yourself, and everything will be okay...

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I love this, Jeannine. And I am coincidentally in between books (the limbo of it all), but I just ordered White Teeth by Zadie Smith from thriftbooks, so I'm pumped for that, and honestly I agree, it does kind of level me out to have a good book to look forward to reading at the end of the day.

And you're right, it's not really chicken scratch, I did make edits, but the fever pace in which I made it felt a bit psychotic, haha.

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I think that a lot of the best work out there tends to be a bit psychotic. 😉

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completely agree, Jeannine. I eat up the unhinged content. cannot get enough!

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Sep 1Liked by E. Sjule

White Teeth is great. It's very funny and clever but just to warn you it very different from all other Zadie Smith books.

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Good to know! It just arrived so I'm only 20 pages or so in, but I don't actually have any reference point to her writing other than a NYer piece about her dad that was reprinted recently. The article is what inspired me to look up her books. Do you have a favorite Zadie Smith book? Recs??

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All Zadie Smith is absolutely fantastic and this one is amazing (especially cause she wrote it at 21 while she was at college). On Beauty is usually the one people say is the next one to read and I love that one as well but honestly all Zadie Smith is wonderful. For other writers that I would recommend, I really love short stories and my favorite are somewhat weird literary fiction by Kelly Link (Magic for Beginners is my fav) and Aimee Bender (Willful Creatures is my fav from her).

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Maybe if you Rube Goldberg all your various stressors and relaxers you can end with a net 'meh.'

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lol, YES! if I just stick them all together with some chewing gum and paper clips maybe I'll coast just above burn out until I complete this goal!

Honestly though, this is an accurate depiction of my plan. Will keep you posted if I need some thumb tacks.

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