The past few years, I’ve run a half marathon in April. But I pulled my left ankle in February, which derailed my training. There was a slim chance I could get back on track, but I got hit with a double-whammy in the space of a week at the start of this month--my car’s engine imploded and a dog bit my right foot. It blew up like a balloon, and I had to go on antibiotics. The half marathon has been delayed to the fall.

Despite feeling supremely cooked, I still held a housewarming for my new home. A celebration my friends insisted on. They packed my tiny apartment to the gills. And they offered rides, lent cars while I sorted my transportation situation. Then my friends had the audacity to take up a collection to go towards a replacement vehicle.

It’s been a difficult month. But it forced me to learn something I was too afraid to test myself--that I have a community that will help me up when I fall down. I’m awash with thankfulness.

---

This month’s playlist:

The Count of Monte Cristo

I read this in high school and remember enjoying the tale. I decided to revisit it, mainly for research purposes. There are elements I want to study for a story of my own. I listened to the audiobook this time. Reader, it was 47 hours long. That’s like 25 movies. I enjoyed maybe the first 10.

I understand Dumas wrote this as a serial. That it was a different time. But that’s too fucking long, man. If I didn’t have research reasons for finishing, I’d have dropped it soon after the Count debuted to high society.

Go watch the movie instead. The one with Guy Pearce.

A Knight’s Tale

The audience applauded the moment Heath Ledger’s clean-shaven face appeared on screen. Another childhood favorite, watched over and over on DVD, I had the fortune of seeing on the big screen for the first time. The theatre was packed with fans and a substantial contingent of first-timers. Magical.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Season two dropped, and I watched it with the friend who got me into this series. Only 10 episodes. We both agreed that we didn’t mind that the narrative didn’t progress very far. Simply experiencing the world and the characters is cozy and pleasant enough.

Jackie Evans

A last-minute invite to a free show reminded me how powerful a live performance can be. Jackie Evans bowled me over. Bowled everyone over at The Basement. She’s touring now and has an album coming down the pike.

---

This month I also wrote a new piece of flash fiction and recorded new video for Lunalay. Her EP finally drops May 27th.