Welcome, friends!
I wanted to take a moment to express my reverence for the many thousands of college students and organizers around the country demanding a divestment from Israel from their institutions in the face of unjust police brutality and militarization. These encampments are crucial to sustaining the fight for liberation. I hope you are able to go support one whether that be in person or by donation! The UC Berkeley encampment has a fund you can donate to for food or supplies here. I haven’t explicitly stated on my substack that I fully support an immediate and permanent ceasefire and for an end of Israeli occupation of Palestine. If those don’t sit right for you then I welcome you to unsubscribe because we don’t support genocide here (or anywhere). Free Palestine.
I found this poem On The Internet and I can’t stop thinking about it— I think you’d like it too.
i wake up thirsty and i think of palestine. i go to the doctor’s office and i think of palestine. a sign in the corner of the waiting room says ‘this is a place of healing, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated’ and i think of palestine. they probably weren’t thinking of bombs and snipers and mass graves in parking lots. i call my parents and i think of palestine. i drive to the grocery store and i think of palestine. i look at the clear blue sky and i think of palestine. i put the dishes away and i think of palestine. i feed my cat and i think of palestine. i listen to music and i think of palestine. i read poetry and i think of palestine. i text my friends and i think of palestine. i think of palestine and i think of palestine and i think of palestine
poem from tumblr
If you have the means, please consider donating to my friend’s Go Fund Me who is helping a family evacuate from Rafah. They are about $3,000 away from their goal of $13,000 which will evacuate the entire family together. You can also venmo my friend at @chefallison and if you donate over $50 and are local to Brooklyn, she’ll bake you a cake for your birthday.
Lastly, Gaza Book Auction is live for all bibliophiles (or anyone who wants to bid on some bookish delights! ). Proceeds go towards a Gaza Evacuation Fund to help Palestinians in Gaza escape with their loved ones. There are Very Cool book signings, writing classes or book merch so check it out!
As Americans (especially those who are cishet white Americans), we have the privilege to not sit idly by and I urge you to act in some way today whether it be by donating, signing a petition, calling your reps or educating yourself or loved ones. Thank you.
Life Updates:
The devil works hard but my crippling anxiety and lactose intolorance works harder. Mostly kidding. It’s actually been prettyyyyy okay lately (all things considered). In April I moved into my own place, hosted a friend (hello berenice!!) and visited Colorado with my writing group AND filed my own taxes at the ripe age of 28 for the very first time !! Be proud of me!! I also attempted to partake in Escapril with some of my writing pals and can decisively say that poetry is not for me (right now) and creativity definitely arrives in waves. I’m riding one currently but I don’t know when it will end so help me god !!
my too-cool friend callan took this on her film camera & i think it shows off my haircut well :)
i moved (again)
I think in the past 2-3 years I’ve moved upwards of six times which is pretty impressive. I’ve become so accustomed to packing up my things and leaving and so the furniture and items I actually own myself is quite slim. One day I’ll settle down in an old farm house with my goats and chickens but today is not that day! Feels easy to breath and walk around naked and write and I’m still close to the lake so all is well. I’m still furnishing my apartment and looking for fun ~funky~ ways to decorate so please send me any ideas! The vibe is minimalist/ modern/ whatever’s cheapest but adding some color into the mix. Hopefully I’ll have some cute photos to share next month. My dear friend Berenice helped me carry my dresser and sofa’s disassembled parts up FLIGHTS of stairs and assemble them so kudos to you, Berenice!!!
view from the cabin
i think my life might be better if i lived in colorado . . .
The long awaited Writing With Intention Writing Retreat commenced in the mountains of Colorado with my virtual writing group. It reminded me of summer camp in all the best ways: from cooking communal meals, sipping tea and coffee in cozy couches and writing hand written notes to each other. It was an excellent practice in vulnerability and showing up for myself and others, even in the sticky/ hard moments. I trust these people WITH MY LIFE and although I did not write as much as I had predicted, I return with a new sense of purpose (hem hem, finishing my novel before 2025) and inspiration. I’m in awe of each of my friend’s practice and the way they experience the world through storytelling and creative thinking — I’m just so proud of ‘em.
group photo <3
novel update
Lastly, I am refocusing on my ~novel~ (read an unedited snippet here) and a more routine writing practice. I’ve written every day this week! Life has been busy but I am looking forward to a slow, sweet summer time in the Bay. Never forget that the coldest winter Robert Frost experienced was a summer in San Francisco (technically I’m in Oakland so no coldest winter for me). But still. Can’t wait. What are you looking forwards to this summer?! I deeply want to know.
And lastlyyyyyy, my fave things I can’t stop eating/ listening to/ watching (because sometimes I get stuck on all the things that annoy me):
Another Jenny Schecter/ L Word Meme 4 U
*I’m never going to be A Swiftie but I have been listening to TTPD on repeat (current faves: the bolter, down bad, guilty as sin?, the black dog) — yes I know I’m a month late. sueee me.
*Bell peppers, cream cheese and everything bagel seasoning (don’t knock it ‘till you try it)
* the bellaires tiktoks — need i say more? wholesome MARRIED lesbian dog owners content
*not watching any TV. i think my brain is rotted from all the tv I watched in 2020 so I’m giving them a break. yes my brain uses they/ them pronouns.
Okayyyy, that’s it for now! By the time you read this it will probably be Friday (thank god). Next month I’ll give you all an update on how my daily L word coffee shop meet up went with my queer pals in Oakland !!! Lots of iced coffees and new friendships and connections. 1 month until pride, bb!!!!
see you on the internet !!
with love,
catie
Not the Jenny pic ☠️
loved this update & MISS U