#116: Transitions and Taverns

UPDATE <3

Took my winter break a little early this year. But I’m back, baby! Did ya miss me?

I feel like I simultaneously have so much and so little to say. We moved out of LA, and I kept telling everyone, as we forced strongly encouraged them to paint our self-imposed going away present, that I felt like my sadness was across the street.

The going away present we mandated our friends create.

Obviously, I will miss my beautiful friends. The sunsets. The Pacific. Scream-singing in traffic. I don’t know if it was the practical stress of packing and planning or a cute new self-aware brand of dissociation I picked up, but I couldn’t feel any of it in my bones. Not like I normally do. I’m a feeler. A crier. A weller. Yet I had to use eyedrops until my last day in Cali. These balls wouldn’t slick or mist for anything. What’s the deal?

I’m processing this in real time, half-hoping I’ll burst into a briny bawl, which I won’t. So forgive the clumsiness. The dry scrape of my emotionless lids scanning the text as I type it. I wish I could say the sadness of leaving is simply eclipsed by the excitement of going. And I am really pumped for New York. It will be a glorious and initially frigid adventure! The city lights illuminating new beginnings! The wind and city stench in my hair!

And yet I can’t really feel that excitement either. I know it’s in there. Perhaps closer by. In the next room rather than across the street. But still, I’m feeling some distance from myself these days. I think that’s why I haven’t been writing as much here. My other projects are flourishing, believe it or not. But this closer-to-the-vest stuff demanded a pause. Honestly, I’m glad I took it. And I’m glad I’m back now — finding my way to myself and the page. Thanks for sticking around as I fumble my way through it.

In other news…

Indy Pals, Come See This Play Reading!

My friend Pres Maxson (brilliant novelist, copywriter, and musician) wrote a play in one act, and we’re putting on a live reading in Indianapolis. It’s December 16th from 7:00-8:30pm at The District Theatre on Mass Ave. Please come!

The play is really funny! Ryan Felton plays four different hilarious characters! I play three! There will be both a fictional and literal bar! With a themed cocktail! You will like it!

Image courtesy of Pres Maxson and Derek Raymond.

I’ll also be getting back to my standup roots at a free Sunday show at Black Circle Indy December 22nd at 8pm. More details to come!

I know I missed the Thanksgiving week post, but please know I’m thankful for you on harvest-inspired holidays and beyond. Being a writer is a dream come true. Being a writer with real human readers is beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

ily bye,

Ariana