what have i been reading and listening to lately?

it's been way too long since i've posted here! as always, i have a few upcoming blog posts half-written but not in a state im quite happy with just yet. so i figured i should do a shorter post to share some updates and talk about what words have been entering my skull in the last few months!

life updates, such as they are: work has been going well, the latest schedule shake up put me back on a recurring weekly schedule, which is a huge relief. extra-board was nice sometimes, but the unpredictable start times were really taking a toll on my sleep schedule. having a consistent routine is pretty nice!

i'm planning to move within this calendar year. i'm looking for apartments within biking distance of my job, so that i don't have to spend two hours every day in the car. it'll also be nice to move out of my parents' house! a lot to look forward to, but first i have to figure out how i'm going to move my pet rats and transport all my weird appliances and things. much to consider. (prospective landlords, if you're somehow reading this, the rats are a metaphor, they definitely don't literally, physically exist i promise!)

there's another interesting update, but it'll get a blog post of its own. just you wait! for now, here are the major pieces of writing and talking that have stuck with me the most lately!

book book: cat's cradle by kurt vonnegut: loved this, it's a real page turner!

book book (still in progress): city of industry: genealogies of power in southern california by victor valle: i've just started it but this one is dense but very, very good. an in-depth, critical history of one weird suburb and how it came into being.

audio book: fear and loathing on the campaign trail '72 by hunter s. thompson: thanks to the fearful and loathsome politics of today, i've developed what could be called a sick obsession with the nixon era. last year i listened to "all the president's men," which was very long but quite good; previously i'd also enjoyed "fear and loathing in las vegas" which is also about the nixon era in a way; so this was a natural next listen. and i enjoyed it! it alternates between bizarre stories and really quite good insights into the culture surrounding electoral politics, often both at once. anyways, what will my next nixonian journalism listen be? maybe i'll visit the nixon presidential library sometime.

blog: laura michet's blog! i'd guess that most people reading this already follow laura's blog, but i wanted to mention anyway that it's quite possibly my favorite blog right now. she's been posting every day for the past year, often about bikes and other fun topics! here's a post compiling some of her favorite posts, theyre all great.

long blog post: how a bus route falls apart by uday schultz: this article does a great job of explaining all the factors that affect a local bus's unpredictability, and how those factors lead to an inconsistent passenger experience (specifically on the MBTA 77 but applicable to many many routes elsewhere). it's really cool to see the schedule challenges ive contended with on a daily basis explained with data and broader context.

periodical: very little news by nicky flowers: it's been absolutely delightful to get a tiny printed newspaper in the mail every month! you might even see some contributions from yours truly in its auspicious pages soon!

podcast: no gods no mayors: i am so, so sorry to recommend a podcast, i know that's very annoying behavior, but hear me out!! this one is so whimsically funny and also discusses a lot of fascinating municipal histories. it's delightful! mayors are so cool, if only they were real.

i've also really been enjoying my local college radio station. i've heard so much music i would never have known about otherwise! i highly recommend finding and listening to a college radio station near you!

ok, those are the main updates for now. some deep-dive blog posts coming soon, so stay tuned! .