Week Note #33: Mar 27 to Apr 2
2025-04-02
- 📚 I started reading Three Lives by Gertrude Stein, a book that one of my TAs recommended me. I'm very interested in Stein's poetry, despite being confused over it. My TA said that you could kind of see echoes of her poetry in her novels, so it was worth reading. I do see those echoes, namely the repetition. But, what I like from Stein's poetry isn't really present in her prose. I like the innovative ways Stein looks at objects. When it comes to her interpersonal relationship observations like in this novel... Well, it's a bit dry. I'm almost done reading it, so I'll see how I feel once it's over.
- 🗳️ I joined a friend's Retrospring instance and it is very interesting. I never really thought that people could build a community around a social media site that is literally just asking each other questions? Think the "ask" function on Tumblr. It's an interesting phenomenon to witness. I don't really participate much, because it is filled with literal teenagers. But it's a good time waster.
- 💰 Submitted my taxes, and my parents taxes. Also helped my cousin submit his taxes for the first time. I find that taxes aren't that bad. For me, it's just the dread of having to do something hanging over my head.
- 🎓 I started studying for final exams. I am scared for my poetry course. They're going to throw quotes at us, and ask what poem they're from. Which, yes, sounds obvious, and easy. But memorization is not my strong suit. And there are around 100 poems to memorize. I am scared! But I'm trying my best!
- 🦥 This week I have been a sloth. Just not living with any urgency whatsoever, despite my obligations and responsibilities. Is it burnout? Depression? Bad eating habits? Lack of sleep? Apathy towards my day job? General horror at the state of the world? I don't know whatever could be the problem!
🎙️ Podcasts Listened
I've been listening to more podcasts. Mostly when I'm journaling (it takes me 45 minutes up to an hour in the morning to do journal).
- The Astrology Podcast: April Astrology Forecast 2025
- Pill Pod: Revolution Rip Tide
- Pill Pod: BURNOUT SOCIETY by Byung-Chul Han
- Pill Pod: Luigi's Mansion
- Pill Pod: America's Religious Death Cult
- Professing Literature: Prufrock Among the Women | Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (Part One)
- The History of Literature: Gertrude Stein
🎵 Music
- Ever since I cancelled my Spotify subscription, I'm finding it harder to find time to keep up with new music, or to discover new music. Now I know what people mean by not having time to listen to music. Streaming services just make it so easy. You just find a playlist that sounds like what you're looking for, and then hit play. While I do like listening to my current library, it's kinda starting to feel stale. But I have too many things going on to log into SoulSeek and download stuff.
- I did, however, manage to listen to Lucy Dacus's and Deafheaven's new albums. I unfortunately do not really have any opinions other than, it was pleasant. I 100% need to re-listen to them. I also have some other albums (minis and EPs alike) in my mental to-listen list (Seulgi's mini comes to mind).
💿 Top Albums
- KAI - The 1st Mini Album by KAI: I am hyping myself up for Kai's comeback. Has it happened yet? I'm ready.
- NewJeans 2nd EP 'Get Up' by NewJeans
- BB/ANG3L by Tinashe
- Lonely People With Power by Deafheaven
- TANGK by IDLES
- Forever is a Feeling by Lucy Dacus
- Is This It by The Strokes
- Lush by Snail Mail
