Kim Hooper's Blog, page 12

Weekly Roundup: April 21, 2023

On Tuesday this week, two different people asked me how my day was going and, twice, I said, “It’s a crazy Monday!” before realizing it was not Monday. That tells you how my week’s been. My brain is FRIED from juggling work, packing, starting to move. I’m hoping to be moved in by Monday. I have already set up my bookshelf. Priorities. The most relaxing part of my week was going to the dentist. I had a small cavity filled and I was just happy to lie back and close my eyes.

Quote of the week:
“Wonderful things happen when people feel felt, when they sense that their minds are held within another’s mind.” — Dan Siegel, a UCLA psychiatrist and prominent theorist in the field of interpersonal neurobiology

What I’m reading:
I finished Mother in the Dark by Kayla Maiuri and loved it. I’m now reading Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be by Becky Kennedy. Wow. It’s really a book about relationships, in general. So many great insights and strategies.

What I’m listening to:
I am loving Joyce Maynard’s memoir, At Home in the World. It’s been on my list for a long time and am so glad I’m finally reading it. She’s one of my favorite novelists. If you don’t know, she had a relationship with JD Salinger when she was in her late teens and he was in his fifties. Her telling is both haunting and beautiful.

What I’m watching:
Bad Sisters on Apple TV. I’m on episode 4. Love it. Wish I had time to binge it.

What I’m talking about:
I have been totally boring and self-absorbed with my own life stress this week. The only things I’m talking about are what a terrible company Living Spaces is (seriously, I submitted my first-ever Better Business Bureau review) and how my back hurts from lifting things I shouldn’t.

Oh, I did watch the Boston Marathon on Monday and did a lot of talking about that. I ran it last year and it was such a great experience. Watching it makes me want to do it again. So many inspiring athletes.

Interesting things I learned this week:

Spanish athlete Beatriz Flamini spent 500 days alone in a cave, as part of research into the effects of isolation on the body and mind. She said it was enjoyable and she “didn’t want to come out.” I like my solitude, but this is on another levelThe minimum wage has been $7.25/hr since 2009. If it kept up with inflation, it should be $27/hr. This is ridiculous41% of workers with a post-graduate degree said they respond to work emails or other messages from work outside of normal work hours extremely often/often, according to a Pew poll of nearly 6000 people46% of workers don’t take the full number of paid days off offered by their employers; of that 46%, more than half of them don’t do it because they didn’t feel like they needed it. Whaaaat is happening to our culture?!This week, a rare hybrid eclipse appeared for the first time in a decade. Hybrid eclipses make up only 3% of eclipses. There are only a few each century! Since January, state legislators have introduced more than 400 anti-trans bills, more than the number introduced in the past four years combined. I do not understand why people care so much what others do with their gender or sexualityWomen are 27% less likely than men to receive CPR from a bystander if they have a heart attack. It’s believed the disparity is due to the lack of representation in CPR training, as classes primarily use male, flat-chested manikins (see below if the word “manikins” is as weird to you as it was to me)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“mannequin vs manikin.” When I read about the above CPR statistic, the article used the word “manikin” and I thought, “Wow, that’s a major misspelling.” Then I googled and learned this: “While mannequins model clothing in stores, manikins model medical situations and scenarios. The main difference is that mannequins are stationary models that advertise products, while mannikins are more realistic and anatomically correct models that are capable of simulating real-life medical scenarios.” I had no idea.

What I’m grateful for:

The (slow) departure of my head cold. I’m getting less congested with each dayThe near-completion of my house. Excited to move; sad to leave our current house behind. As Dr. Becky says in her book, “two things are true”Great peak training week for my upcoming half marathon. I had a 14-miler this morning and it included an accidental 10K PR!Beautiful weather! We’ve had lots of gloomy days but the sun is out now and I’m loving it Didn’t take many photos this week, but saw these flowers on my dog walk (I swear they bloomed overnight) and had to take a pic. Spring is here!

The post Weekly Roundup: April 21, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: April 14, 2023

Every day this week, I was a day ahead. I thought Tuesday was Wednesday, Wednesday was Thursday, etc. I’ve had a gnarly head cold so I’m going to blame the brain fog on that. Very happy that we’ve finally arrived at Friday.

Quote of the week:
“I want to tell you to live in the messy world, throw yourself into the convulsion of the world. I’m not telling you to make the world better, because I don’t think that progress is necessarily part of the package. I’m just telling you to live in it. Not just to endure it, not just to suffer it, not just to pass through it, but to live in it. To look at it. To try to get the picture. To live recklessly. To take chances. To make your own work and take pride in it. To seize the moment.” –Joan Didion, 1975 commencement speech at UC Riverside

What I’m reading:
This week, I read Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood by Jessica Grose. I always enjoy her writing for the New York Times and was so excited to read this book. It’s good, but was more pandemic-focused than I was expecting. I just started Mother in the Dark by Kayla Maiuri and I can already tell I’m going to like it.

What I’m listening to:
I devoured Des Linden’s memoir, Choosing to Run: A Memoir, and am now starting Joyce Maynard’s memoir, At Home in the World.

What I’m watching:
Bad Sisters on Apple TV. It takes me about a week to watch one episode, which says nothing about the show and everything about my life right now.

What I’m talking about:

My sinuses and how much misery they bring upon meThe Dalai Lama telling a child “suck my tongue.” At first, I was like, “Are there any men in power who are not creeps?” But now I’m questioning my initial repulsion. Apparently, in Tibetan culture, it’s common for elders to give children a small candy or piece of food from their mouths. Then, when there is nothing left, they will say the phrase “Ok, now eat my tongue” (the Tibetan phrase is Che le sa). It’s basically saying, “I’ve given you all my love and candy so all that’s left to do is eat my tongue.” Meant to be playful. There’s no way of knowing the Dalai Lama’s intentions. He did apologize for any offense. Reading this shed some important light on the situation for meGOP 2024 presidential hopefuls attending the NRA convention in Indianapolis. Gross. I envision a future where people look back on this and say, “Wait, we had a whole association for gun-lovers? And this association was related to politics? HUH? And we let people just walk around with armed weapons?” At some point, hopefully not too far off, we are all going to agree this is madness

Interesting things I learned this week:

Biden signed a bill officially ending the COVID-19 national emergencyNPR is the first prominent news organization to leave Twitter80% of CEOs have stay-at-home wivesNew York City has hired its first-ever “rat czar” (official title: Director of Rodent Mitigation. I hope it pays well)The US Dept of Health and Human Services recommends that low-income people pay no more than 7% of their earnings in childcare; yet in 8 states and DC, childcare centers cost over 35% of average incomeBetween 1950 and 2012, annual hours worked per employee fell by about 40% in Germany and Netherlands, but by only 10% in the USFewer than half of children under 18 live with 2 married, heterosexual parents in their first marriageA 2020 study reported that 59% of workers would only consider a new position or job if it allowed them to work from the location of their choiceWomen are 10x more likely to take time off to stay home with a sick childJapan is the only G-7 country not to recognize same-sex marriage

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Climate change home runs.” I heard on The Late Show that climate change will lead to more home runs. So interesting. The science of it is that when the air is cooler, air particles are much closer together, which can slow down a fast-moving ball. When the air gets warmer, air particles are much farther apart, enabling a ball to travel through the air faster. Researchers from Dartmouth College looked at 100,000 Major League games and found that at least 500 home runs since 2010 can be attributed to climate change. From Grist: “As the planet warms, the authors predict that climate change could be responsible for nearly 10 percent of all home runs by 2100, with each degree of warming associated with 95 more home runs per season.”

What I’m grateful for:

A night out with my mom to see Chelsea Handler do her thing at the ImprovA bunch of fun Easter activities last weekend. We are well-stocked on chocolateSnagging tickets to October’s Ohana Fest. Foo Fighters! My contractor, who is making my new house look so good I could cry. My furniture delivery is scheduled for today. It’s happening!

Snapshots:

Selfie of the week. My daughter wanted to put on the adult-size bunny costume. Hilarity ensued. Love the wispy ones. The kitties continue to keep my company when I work at my desk.

The post Weekly Roundup: April 14, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: April 7, 2023

It was a whirlwind week for me, complete with (incomplete) house renovations and some exciting news (see below). I’m ready for a mellow-ish weekend. Happy Easter to all those who celebrate!

Quote:
“Solitude matters, and for some people, it’s the air they breathe.” –Susan Cain

What I’m reading:
I tore through My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Florin this week. It’s a beautifully-told coming-of-age story and I found myself really drawn to the main character, Isabel. I’m now reading Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think) by Reshma Saujani, creator of the Marshall Plan for Moms (now known as Moms First).

What I’m listening to:
I just finished The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley. Such a cute story with some fun twists at the end. I’m now listening to Choosing to Run: A Memoir by Des Linden, winner of the Boston Marathon in 2018.

What I’m watching:
I started Bad Sisters on Apple TV. I adore Sharon Horgan and I’m loving this show so far.

Writing news:
BIG news this week! My first book, People Who Knew Me, is becoming a BBC Podcast starring Rosamund Pike and Hugh Laurie. This has been in the works for a while and I’m so excited it’s really happening. You can read the full announcement here. The trailer is now available and episode 1 drops May 23!

Final reminder: The Chirp Books sale on my audiobooks ends TOMORROW. They’re offering great deals, so check it out.

What I’m talking about:

The indictment of Trump. 34 counts. It’s about time. People are starting to say that this is making him MORE popular with Republicans. If that’s not representative of the problems in this country, I don’t know what isThe expulsion of two Democratic lawmakers from the Tennessee House of Representatives. This is in response to a gun control protest they led, which supposedly brought “disorder” to the House. I understand there are certain rules, but this is a slippery slope. I’m glad they protested. Every lawmaker should be appalled by these ongoing shootings

Interesting things I learned this week:

The US Postal Service is starting a nationwide electric vehicle fleetIt’s estimated that up to a billion birds die each year from window collisionsAccording to a WSJ/NORC at University of Chicago poll, 78% of Americans said they lack confidence that life will be better for their children’s generation than for their ownA study found that friends living within a mile of each other are 25% more likely to feel happy (read here)The average adult lives only 18 miles from their mother; 80% live less than a two-hour drive awayIn 1935, a girl died by suicide after she started menstruating and didn’t know why. This has been mentioned lately as more legislation is introduced banning discussion of menstruation in schoolsSignificant changes in life occur, on average, every 18 months (I read this in Anne Helen Petersen’s newsletter, which is great, but I can’t remember the source of this info)In 2019, there were 695,616 Master’s degrees conferred in the US; 63% went to womenAccording to a new study released by the WHO, infertility affects 1 in 6 people worldwide90 million chocolate bunnies are made every year

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Whatamagump.” My daughter told me to look up “the whatamagump song” on YouTube. She said the dad of a girl in her class sings it. Lo and behold, there is a “whatamagump song” (this one) and there is a book too.

What I’m grateful for:

The wonderful people behind the People Who Knew Me podcast. Seeing my story come to life in this way is immensely fulfillingWorking with a writer-friend of mine on a fun projectBeautiful weather and lots of greenery thanks to all the recent rain

Snapshots:

All yoga these days is puppy yoga. Took my daughter to a local zoo and saw this beauty. First beach day in months. Yay for Spring! My favorite running path reopened after being closed due to mudslides. This view never gets old. My obsession with clouds continues.

The post Weekly Roundup: April 7, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: March 31, 2023

It’s already the end of March? You know you’re getting older when you’re constantly befuddled by the passage of time. Let’s get into the roundup!

Quote of the week:
“When faced with a loss, it is no use trying to recover what has gone. On the other hand, a great space has been opened up in your life—there it lies, empty, waiting to be filled with something new. At the moment of one’s loss, contradictory as this might seem, one is being given a large slice of freedom.” –Paulo Coelho

What I’m reading:
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro. I’ve been a long-time fan of Dani Shapiro (her book on writing is a must-read for any writer) and was so excited when she came out with this latest novel. I’m just about done with it and I’ve really enjoyed it.

What I’m listening to:
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley. She’s another author I’ve loved for a long time, and she’s been so supportive of my career since my first book came out in 2016. This latest book of hers is so much fun.

What I’m watching:
I finished Daisy Jones and the Six and…wow. It was so well done. I am not one to shed tears often, but I shed some in the finale. Next up for me is something totally different: the Netflix documentary MH370: The Plane That Disappeared.

Writing news:

I just wrapped up another round of edits on my latest manuscript. It feels very done to me. I’m looking forward to next stepsReminder: Chirp books is having a sale on my audiobooks. Big discounts! Ends next week, so take advantage!

What I’m talking about:

The Nashville school shooting. I feel so helpless and I know it does no good to wallow in that feeling, but I just cannot comprehend the power of the NRA and this American loyalty to guns over children. Is it really all about money and the contributions the NRA gives politicians? Really? That’s it? So disillusioning. I’m so sad for the families who lost their loved ones, and I’m tired of this ongoing griefThe indictment of Donald Trump. This should be the first of many. I’ll be eating my popcorn, seeing how this all plays out

Interesting things I learned this week:

Research is showing that after we die, we are aware that we’ve died. After our breathing and heartbeat stop, we remain conscious for two to 20 secondsThe FDA has approved the first over-the-counter naloxone spray (aka Narcan). This drug can reverse opioid overdose. So important given the current state of our opioid epidemic in this countryOne in 4 American women goes back to work within TWO WEEKS of giving birth. This is absurdAfter WWII, several Japanese soldiers remained in hiding in the jungle, loyal to the Bushidō philosophy’s emphasis on honor and self-sacrifice. Shoichi Yokoi was in hiding for 27 years, and Hiroo Onoda hid for 30 years!Mark Hamill, of Luke Skywalker fame, voices air raid alerts in Ukraine. Quoting a line from “Return of the Jedi,” he says, “Don’t be careless. Your overconfidence is your weakness.” When the alert is over, he says, “May the force be with you”Life expectancy continues to decline in the US. It decreased around the world in 2020 due to COVID-19, but most peer countries rebounded in 2021 with the arrival of vaccines. The US has not rebounded. Life expectancy here is down to 76 yearsThe Miami Seaquarium is going to release the killer whale known as Tokitae after being in captivity for more than 50 yearsThe US is home to 120.5 guns per 100 individuals, making it the only country in the entire world with more guns than peopleAmericans are 25x more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than people in other countriesThe Florida legislature passed a bill this week approving carrying a concealed loaded gun without a permitA bullet from an AR-15 flies out of the barrel at a speed that would cross six football fields in A SECOND

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Sweat glands in feet.” I went to a yoga ball-rolling workshop (IYKYK) workshop last weekend and the instructor mentioned that there are thousands of sweat glands in our feet. Thousands?! I was intrigued, so I had to google. There are about 125,000 sweat glands in each foot! Feet have more sweat glands per square inch than any other area of the body. No wonder all our socks stink.

What I’m grateful for:

Seeing progress on my house renovation. Floors are going in this week!My new therapist. I’m a big proponent of therapy and think it can do wonders for overall health. I sought out a new therapist who specializes in somatic work and I’m loving it so farFinishing edits on my latest manuscript! Well, this round of edits anyway. I love telling stories so muchMy daughter, who has been an absolute delight lately. Parenting is so hard, but I love watching her grow. I don’t share much about her in general, out of respect for her privacy and whatnot, but she is amazing

Snapshots:

Enjoying sunshine when I can. We’re still having lots of rainy days. Spring, is that you? It wouldn’t be a roundup without a pet photo.

The post Weekly Roundup: March 31, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: March 24, 2023

This week seemed to fly by. Let’s get right to the roundup!

Quote of the week:
“Nothing in Nature ‘becomes itself’ without being vulnerable: the mightiest tree’s growth requires soft and supple shoots, just as the hardest-shelled crustacean must first molt and become soft. The same goes for us: no emotional vulnerability, no growth.” –Gabor Maté (in this book)

What I’m reading:
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté. It’s a very insightful and thought-provoking book. Highly recommend.

What I’m listening to:
At Sea by Emma Fedor. Very intriguing story so far. Curious to see where it goes.

What I’m watching:
I’m stillllllllll making my way through Daisy Jones and the Six. I have a few episodes left. It’s so good.

Writing news:

I’m embarking on a hopefully-final round of edits on my latest manuscript. I received some great feedback yesterday and should have news to share soon (fingers crossed)Chirp books is having a sale on my audiobooks. Big discounts! Ends April 8, so take advantage!Yesterday was the second anniversary of the launch of All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss. This book means so much to me and I love knowing it’s helping others

What I’m talking about:

The latest UN climate change report, which says the world is on the brink of catastrophic warming. This continues to be so upsetting. Huge changes have to be made at a policy level for us to see real change. Our governments are failing us. This is all about capitalism and companies wanting to make as much money as possible, while completely ruining the planet. The report says that doom is NOT inevitable, but changes need to happen NOWPluto moving into Aquarius for the first time in 225 years. I’m not a big astrology person, but I have friends who are and, apparently, this is a very big deal. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was at the height of the American and French revolutions

Interesting things I learned this week:

Both Los Angeles and San Diego have seen twice as much rain as Seattle this yearThe US Post Office just released a forever stamp featuring Toni MorrisonThe Dutch word for baseball is honkbalLast year, more than 3 million American adults were displaced due to natural disastersA rural hospital in Idaho will stop delivering babies or providing other obstetrical care due to state laws that could subject physicians to prosecution for providing abortionsA Mediterranean diet can cut heart disease risk in women by 24%Florida lawmakers are considering a sex ed law that would ban discussion of menstrual cycles before sixth grade. Many girls start their periods by sixth grade, so banning discussion of it is just…disturbing. The fact that older men are proposing these things is so creepyYour whole body absorbs 2.5-5x your body weight with each running stride (for more amazing running info, follow my coach on Instagram)In the span of a year, a conservative nonprofit led by Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff, has spent $41 million on nine properties near the US Capitol. Ugh, what are they planning?!

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Pigs with curly hair.” I read about this in Amy Tector’s amazing newsletter, but couldn’t remember the name. I wanted to show my daughter a photo so had to google. The breed of pig is the Mangalica pig and you can learn about them (and see photos) here.

What I’m grateful for:

The hairdresser that managed to get out all my daughter’s tangles last weekend. We’ve had hair-brushing battles and I sort of gave up. I was charged an extra $25 for “the severity of the tangles” and it was worth itHouse renovation is coming along! I should be able to move in a few weeks!No viruses this week!

Snapshots:

More rain this week. Good for our drought, but I’m ready for more sunshine. Post-storm gloriousness. Latest puzzle conquest. My long runs take me by this mural. I love it.

The post Weekly Roundup: March 24, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: March 17, 2023

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I put some green dye in the toilet and gave my daughter a note from “Larry the Leprechaun,” so my job is done. We had a rough week with my daughter’s second bout (in 3 weeks) of strep throat. Antibiotics to the rescue…again. I’m going to stop saying things like, “Hopefully we’ll have a reprieve from sickness for a while.” I give up. Here’s to embracing the chaos.

Quote of the week:
“I think terrible things happen in the world every day on both a personal level and on a global level, but there’s a way that creative work can bring joy. It can provide relief–both as a reader and as a writer. It is a refuge.” –Anne K. Yoder

What I’m reading:
I really enjoyed (and recommend) Tell Me One Thing by Kerri Schlottman. I’m now diving into The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté.

What I’m listening to:
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson. I started it on my run this morning and it’s quite entertaining so far.

What I’m watching:
I’m still making my way through Daisy Jones and the Six. I feel like multi-episode series are not ideal formats for busy parents. Ha.

Writing news:
Chirp is offering a big sale on four of my audiobooks through April 8. Take advantage!

What I’m talking about:

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres saying that gender equality is “vanishing before our eyes.” He said, “Gender equality is growing more distant. On the current track, U.N. Women puts it 300 years away.” 300 YEARS! There has been a lot of progress for women in the last century, and a lot of backlash too. We’re seeing it in the US with attacks on our reproductive rights, rise in maternal mortality, etc. In other countries, the situation for women is even more dire. I have to hope women (and men) see this as a call to action. There is so much at stakeBiden’s approval of the Willow Project, ConocoPhillips’ massive oil drilling project in Alaska. Ughhh. Biden said he would end new oil and gas drilling projects on public lands and waters, so this is disappointing. The environmental impact would be devastating: “By the administration’s own estimates, the project would generate enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon pollution a year – equivalent to adding 2 million gas-powered cars to the roads” (CNN)The death of Kiska the whale, Canada’s last captive whale. She was captured in 1979 and spent the past decade swimming alone in her tank. So sad. I hate seeing these large animals in captivity like this. I’m all for humans intervening to help endangered species. I’m all for research. But, ultimately, animals should be free in their natural habitatsDaylight Savings. Can we please stop the madness? I thought we had all voted to do just that. In refreshing my memory, I learned that the US Senate did vote to pass the “Sunshine Protection Act,” but when it was time to vote in the House, they could not agree on whether to make Daylight Savings time the actual time or Standard Time the actual time…so the bill was never voted on in the House. On March 2, the Senate reintroduced the bill. Sigh. The politics in this country…

Interesting things I learned this week:

The word “decision” comes from Latin roots, with de meaning “down” or “away from” and caedere meaning “to cut.” So, a decision means committing to one thing and cutting yourself off from another possibility Silicon Valley Bank’s failure is the second-largest in US history, and the largest since the financial crisis of 2008Bernie Saunders introduced a bill to raise the minimum teacher salary to $60,000. It should be more like $100,000, but this is a great startBerlin is going to allow everyone to go topless at public swimming poolsRepresentative Mark Takano has reintroduced his bill proposing the 4-day work weekDr. Nicola Fox is NASA’s first female head of scienceUN member countries have agreed to the first ever treaty to protect the world’s oceansFrench President Macron is going to include the right to abortion in his country’s constitutionMaternal mortality rates increased again in 2021, jumping from 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 to 32.9 in 2021. Rates remain highest in Black women21 South Carolina GOP lawmakers are proposing a bill that could subject women who have abortions to the death penalty or 30 years in prison. I cannot believe this is our worldLyft has a program that provides free rides to and from job interviews, trainings, and new hires’ first 3 weeks of employment. The program currently runs in 39 citiesGacek the Cat has become the top-rated tourist attraction on Google Maps in Szczecin, Poland

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Raining worms in China.” I saw something about worms raining from the sky in China so, of course, I had to investigate. Turns out there is some controversy over whether there were actually worms falling from the sky, or if they were poplar flowers whose blooms resemble worms. Weird. Read here.

What I’m grateful for:

Antibiotics. My daughter was in rough shape until they kicked in. Phew.House renovation is going well. I cannot wait to move in!My nephew! He turns 7 today. He is my daughter’s best bud and I’m so grateful for their friendshipLots of rain for this dry desert of southern California

Snapshots:

I crashed this bird party. Another long run in the books. Pre-strep scooter action. She always finds the sun spots. Foggy, rainy days lately. My plant is growing albino leaves. I’m going to assume this is some magical sh*t.

The post Weekly Roundup: March 17, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: March 10, 2023

It’s been a weeeeeeek. I am in the midst of a house renovation (hoping to make it speedy so I can move in the next 30 days), while working lots of hours and mom-ing the usual lots of hours. At least nobody is sick this week. Here’s hoping for a mellow weekend for all of us.

Quote of the week:
“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.”–Gloria Steinem

What I’m reading:
A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness, a short story collection by Jai Chakrabarti. Usually, with story collections, I love a handful of the stories and am so-so on the others. With this one, I’ve enjoyed every story so far.

What I’m listening to:
Maame by Jessica George. This book would have really spoken to me in my 20s. I’m liking it now, but it’s making me feel old. Ha. I do LOVE the narrator, and I can definitely relate to the main character’s grief over losing her father.

What I’m watching:
I started Daisy Jones and the Six. Enjoyed the book, so hoping the series keeps my attention. It has Almost Famous vibes.

Interesting things I learned this week:

There are more single women in the US than at any point in the country’s history. Most women in the US (52%) are unmarriedAccording to a recent study, by the year 2020, for the first time in history, women were publishing more books than men. Women’s share of published titles increased from around 20% in the 1970s to over 50% by 2020Soubhiyé is an Arabic word to describe that quiet time when you’re the only one awake in the house and can enjoy a cup of coffee before the day starts (all parents crave this)Tsundoku is a Japanese word for acquiring books and letting them pile up without reading them (guilty!)Cacoethes is a 17th century word for a strong desire to do something inadvisableDutch researchers are working to genetically engineer glow-in-the-dark trees to replace streetlamps Also in Denmark: There is such a thing as a Human Library, where people can “borrow” a human instead of a book and listen to their life story for 30 minutesIn South Korea, women have created the 4B movement as a rejection of patriarchy. 4B is shorthand for 4 Korean words that all start with bi-, or “no”: The first no, bihon, is the refusal of heterosexual marriage. Bichulsan is the refusal of childbirth, biyeonae is saying no to dating, and bisekseu is the rejection of heterosexual sexual relationshipsThe top 3 most visited national parks last year were 1) Great Smoky Mountains (12.94 million), 2) Grand Canyon (4.73 million), and 3) Zion (4.69 million)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Famous Seths.” I was watching a commercial and I could not remember the name of the actor in it. I knew it was Seth something. Rogen? MacFarland? Green? No, Meyers! So many Seths!

What I’m grateful for:

Starting a new training cycle with my running coach! I’m working toward a half marathon in May and I’m signed up for the Chicago Marathon in OctoberMoving forward with my house renovation. There is a lot of work to be done, but it’s going to be great when it’s finishedHints of spring. It’s raining here in southern California today, but we’ve had some beautiful days lately that remind me of what’s to come

Snapshots:

It’s been a “have a beer” kind of week. Hints of Spring. The bros. Spoiled by the running paths ’round here.

The post Weekly Roundup: March 10, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: March 3, 2023

We made it to March! Woohoo! I had some dumb drama last week. Went to get tested for strep after my daughter tested positive and they insisted on also testing me for Covid (though I had zero symptoms of anything). I was negative for strep and positive for Covid. So I had to cancel my weekend getaway and half marathon, which was a big bummer (when you’re a mom, these opportunities don’t come along that often). I tested negative on home tests for the next few days, so now I think it was either a false positive or the clinic caught the very end of an asymptomatic infection. Anyway, that’s over with and I’ve signed up for another race in May. Fingers crossed I make it to that one. On to the roundup!

Quote of the week:
“A writer can fit a whole world inside a book. Really. You can go there. You can learn things while you are away. You can bring them back to the world you normally live in. You can look out of another person’s eyes, think their thoughts, are about what they care about. You can fly. You can travel to the stars. You can be a monster or a wizard or a god. You can be a girl. You can be a boy. Books give you worlds of infinite possibility. All you have to do is be interested enough to read that first page… Somewhere, there is a book written just for you. It will fit your mind like a glove fits your hand. And it’s waiting. Go look for it.” –Neil Gaiman

What I’m reading:
I tore through Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion by Gabrielle Blair. Everyone should read it. Such brilliant points. I just started Amy Tector’s new one, Speak for the Dead. Amy and I had the same publisher and met that way. We are email-pals and I just love her! The book releases March 14.

What I’m listening to:
I have a few hours left of I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai. It’s like a Dateline episode with some deep character study. I like it.

What I’m watching:
I finished the first season of Ted Lasso and should probably move along to Season 2, but I started watching Shrinking and am now into that.

Writing news:
I got my shipment of Ways the World Could End paperbacks. They’re so pretty. I’ll do another giveaway soon!

Interesting things I learned this week:

The sun won’t set before 6pm again until October 29Victor Hugo wrote in the nude when he was having writer’s blockFlaneur is a French word for someone who wanders around, people-watching and soaking in their surroundingsIn December, the first all-women team performed a heart transplant Last week, the National Weather Service’s San Diego office issued a blizzard warning for the first time in historyIn the US, the mortality rate for pregnancy is 17.4 per 100,000 people. The on-duty murder rate for police officers is 13.5 per 100,000 people. So, a pregnant woman is more likely to die due to that pregnancy than a police officer is to be killed on the job

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Are record player needles made of diamond?” I read this in Amy Tector’s new book and had to look it up. It’s true! “Some needles are made from sapphire, and others are made of diamond. The needles also can be made of steel or a combination of sapphire and diamond. Diamond-tipped record player needles have the longest life, and steel and sapphire ones can wear out relatively quickly.” (source)

What I’m grateful for:

Health! I’m so glad that IF I had Covid, I had no symptoms. Phew. My daughter is also back to good after her strep infection. Hopefully we have a reprieve from illness for a whileMy new/old house. I’m moving into a house I’ve had as a rental property for the past few years. The tenants are finally out and I’m starting to do some work to get it fixed up and ready for my daughter and me (and all the pets). This house is where we lived when my daughter was born, so it’s cool to move back. I’m equal parts overwhelmed and excited A break from the rain (according to the latest forecast). It’s been a wet and cold winter here in California. So much snow in the mountains!

Snapshots:

Ran in a big rainstorm this week. Did not know it was going to rain so hard. I was soaking wet but it was a blast. Major puzzle conquest. This thing took me like three months. My daughter and I had an ice cream date over the weekend and this was the view when I looked up. These guys turn 10 this month (not sure of the exact day). Yes, they are from the same litter. Don’t they look excited to have their photo taken? Puppy continues to be a delight. Old boy’s hanging in there!

The post Weekly Roundup: March 3, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: February 24, 2023

Who’s ready for Spring? We are gearing up for a big storm here in California with lots of flood watches and cold temps (I’m supposed to run a half marathon on Sunday and it’s going to be 29 degrees at the start line. I am not built for such temperatures). My daughter has strep (I’m getting tested later today, wish me luck). I’m just over this season. Bring on March!

Quote of the week:
Speaking of storms… “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” –Haruki Murakami (one of my favorites)

What I’m reading:
Old Babes in the Wood by Margaret Atwood. This is her short story collection that comes out on March 7. I’m really liking it so far.

What I’m listening to:
I got Rebecca Makkai’s latest, I Have Some Questions For You, the day it came out. She became one of my favorite writers after I read The Great Believers. So far, the audiobook is great!

What I’m watching:
Ted Lasso. I know I’m very late to this party (’tis my style), but glad I came.

Writing news:
Ways the World Could End came out in paperback this week! Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway on Instagram!

What I’m talking about:
I know there are things going on in the world. Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling for a “national divorce” of red and blue states. Bad news continues to come out of the Ohio train derailment. But all I’ve been talking about this week is how tired every parent is right now. TOO MANY VIRUSES. The burnout is real.

Interesting things I learned this week:

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are known for showing up to a party dressed as polar bearsFlamingos can lose their pink pigment outside of breeding season: “That’s because the breeding is so intensive and so much of their food is used for their chicks. During this time, their white color basically means ‘Please leave me alone.'” I think every parent can relateTime in meetings has more than tripled since Feb 2020. Nearly a third of meetings are unnecessary, wasting $25M a year for every one thousand people (all this per Adam Grant)Nine-year-old Adhara Pérez from Mexico City has an IQ of 162, surpassing Einstein and Stephen Hawking. She finished middle school by age 6 and high school by age 8. She’s working on developing a new smart bracelet to help autistic kids communicate emotions (she is on the autism spectrum herself)Dr. Marian Croak invented Voice Over Internet Protocol, which allows us to communicate verbally via the Internet. She owns more than 200 US patents and was one of the first two Black women to be inducted to the Inventors Hall of Fame

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Helena Bonham Carter Tim Burton tunnel.” I remember reading a long time ago that Helena Bonham Carter and her husband, Tim Burton, live in separate dwellings, connected by tunnels. In my mind, they were like hamster habitat tunnels. I investigated and this is not true, but they do live in separate, adjoining residences. She said, “We see as much of each other as any couple, but our relationship is enhanced by knowing we have our personal space to retreat to. It’s not enforced intimacy. It’s chosen, which is quite flattering, if you can afford it.” This sounds pretty ideal to me.

What I’m grateful for:

Antibiotics. Again. I can’t believe how many times we’ve needed them in the past few monthsFinishing up another round of revisions on my latest manuscript. I’m really happy with it and hope to have good news to share soonMaking progress on my house renovation/move—ordered flooring, bought a mattress, scouted out some furniture

Snapshots:

Pets helping me with manuscript revisions. I crossed out some text because there are SPOILERS! Was wearing glasses. Sat down at my desk and put on additional glasses. It’s been one of those weeks. Winter training cycle complete. Missed a lot of runs due to illness, but never once used the treadmill (the blessing of California weather). Here’s hoping I’m healthy on Sunday so I can race! I always see this on my dog walk. So pretty. I have no idea of the official name, but it should be “Land Coral.”

The post Weekly Roundup: February 24, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: February 17, 2023

I am on a deadline and trying to wrap up work early today, so let’s get right into it!

Quote of the week:
“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.” –Anais Nin

What I’m reading:
When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection by Gabor Maté. Quite fascinating.

What I’m listening to:
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. Just started on my run this morning and liking it so far.

What I’m watching:
The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari. RIVETING.

Writing news:
Ways the World Could End comes out in paperback this Tuesday! I’ll be doing a giveaway on Instagram, so keep an eye out there! You can order wherever you normally get your books (I like here).

What I’m talking about:

The mystery objects being shot down by the US government. Umm, what is going on? I guess one was a Chinese spy balloon, but the others are…mysteries? Interestingly, the government set up a new UFO task force this week… The Michigan State University shooting. Here we go again. Some of the students who survived this shooting also survived shootings in high school. This has to stop. I was telling a writer-friend of mine how sad I am that my daughter will likely go through active shooter drills when she goes to kindergarten next year. My friend said it probably won’t even be traumatic for her because it will be made to seem normal/routine, which is just messed up

Interesting things I learned this week:

A recent study found that, since COVID, we’ve become less extroverted, creative, agreeable, and conscientious. In other words, our personalities have dimmed: “About one-tenth of a standard deviation,” the researchers wrote, “which is equivalent to about one decade of normative personality change.”A male birth control drug was found to be 100% effectiveBookstore sales were up 6.2% in 2022. Woot!More Americans are choosing to stay singleLoneliness is as toxic to the body as smoking 15 cigarettes a dayKoi no yokan is a Japanese word meaning a “premonition of love,” that feeling of excitement when you first meet someone and feel that you will fall in loveDue to COVID, half of kids fell below grade level in at least one subjectThe NFL spent two years preparing grass for the Super Bowl, at a cost of $800KThe word spinster was used to refer to single women between the ages of 23-26, while thornback is reserved for those 26 and above

And now for some fun Presidents Day facts:Barack Obama worked at Baskin-Robbins as a teenagerJohn Tyler had 15 childrenSaxophone-playing Bill Clinton was in a band called “Three Blind Mice” in high schoolAbraham Lincoln stored letters and documents in his stove-piped hatJames Madison was just 5’4” and weighed 100 poundsJames Garfield was ambidextrous and could write in multiple languages at the same timeCalvin Coolidge had a pet raccoon named Rebecca

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Drug sniffing squirrels.” I read that China’s police force is going to start using squirrels to sniff out drugs, so I had to investigate. It’s true, though the troop has not been deployed yet. You can read more about it (and see photos!) here.

What I’m grateful for:

Feeling healthy again, just in time for my half marathon next weekendCelebrating my daughter’s dad’s big 4-0! Yes, we are divorced. Yes, we still hang outFun outings: Bowling on Super Bowl Sunday, Whitney Cummings comedy show at the ImprovPhone dates with friends who live too far awayGetting ready to move! I’ve been starting to shop for furniture and I am equal parts overwhelmed and excited

Snapshots:

Went bowling with the family on Super Bowl Sunday and I think this may need to be a new tradition. Lots of beautiful days lately. Kitty accompanied me at my desk this week while I worked on another round of book edits. My old boy wasn’t feeling too great this week, but got him some meds and he’s back to good! It wouldn’t be a roundup without the pup.

The post Weekly Roundup: February 17, 2023 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.