And We're Back!

Hey, it’s me again! As a NaNoWriMo intern for the second year in a row, I’m feeling a bit of déjà vu writing my new intro blog. It’s still the same Ari, but a little different. First things first: my hair! When I started interning at OLL last year, I sported a pixie cut. Now it’s longer. I find strands of it in the sink every morning, and I’ve realized my ambitions for it can never be fully realized because I don’t know how to do fancy stuff with it.

For those who are getting to know me for the first time, I’m Ari. On top of reading and writing, I have a love for tea, video games, blues guitar, typography, and technology. So what have I been up to besides growing my hair out?

I’ve made a game out of being a graduate of the humanities, and it involves acquiring as many part-time positions as possible! So far I got a gig as a graphic designer, and another as a contributing writer for a game website. I’ve also been copy-editing erotic fiction as a side hustle (using the term “hustle” pretty loosely, as copy-editing isn’t a particularly lucrative job). And finally, kittens!

This really needs no explanation, but I will provide one anyway. Due to financial reasons, I can’t actually own any animals. So I did the next best thing and have begun fostering kittens from the local SPCA. The one on my shoulder is named Scout, and he is sweet as can be. The one drawback about this arrangement is the part where I give them back. Way to promote some serious separation anxiety, SPCA!

I’m so excited to be sitting in this seat again. Being back at OLL is like coming across an old sweater in the back of your dresser, and finding it still has that fleecy warmth you thought you didn’t miss when you were running around in the August heat. I willingly wrap myself in it, and wait for a breeze to roll in. Come and join me by the fire. Sip a hot cocoa. I missed you guys.

— Ari