Same newsletter; new day of the week

Cult classics, giant pumpkins, and Irish dancing scandals

It’s me. Hi. (I’m the problem—) [I’m in my Eras era]

It’s been a few weeks since I sent a newsletter, and even longer since I sent one in my typical newsletter format. I have not recovered a routine after my international escapades! I’m going to try to switch my writing day to Sunday; we will see if I can settle into this new fall rhythm.

In terms of reasons for skipping a few newsletters, I present the following excuses:

Last Friday, I gave an academic research presentation in the morning, had (my first!) virtual job interview in the afternoon, and went to a friend’s birthday dinner in the evening. This most recent Friday, I spent several hours stuck behind a terrible accident on I-85 on the way to Charlotte for an Irish dancing teaching exam. At the time, I spent several hours cursing my bad luck (and wondering how long until my bladder exploded). It wasn’t until later that night that I realized I was not so unlucky after all. I’m grateful that the worst outcomes for me on Friday were incredibly minor compared to the outcomes for drivers on the freeway just a few minutes ahead of me. I missed my original exam time but they were able to slot me in later that evening and I spent the night in Charlotte, eating good food and spending time with good friends. I’m thankful for that.

LOCAL NEWS

• It’s been a weekend of Irish dancing—I took my exams on Friday and watched my friends compete yesterday and this morning before driving home. (I did not plan to spend so many hours in the dance world this weekend but, unfortunately, sitting in traffic for so many hours on Friday tested my engine in ways it simply did not want to be tested, so I stayed another night in Charlotte to ensure the car would safely transport me back to Durham (a complicated story I am inelegantly glossing over so that I won’t bore you!)).

• After three years in North Carolina, we finally made it to the North Carolina State Fair. Highlights included spending too much money on a single ear of corn; observing several hundred chickens, each individually entered in a chicken competition (or something like that); learning what a male turkey looks like up close; and watching a “comedy hypnotist,” which was a fascinating case study of the type of person who likes to make a fool of themselves in front of strangers at the state fair.

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

• Given my recent visit to Scotland and our desire to cultivate spooky vibes, Neal and I watched the folk-horror favorite, The Wicker Man (1973). I understand why it’s a cult classic—it somehow achieves the impossible: making a musical into a horror film.

• Speaking of cults, this week, the BBC released a three-part docuseries, The Year that Rocked Irish Dancing. It’s impossible to watch in the US without a good VPN but I’ve already watched it (twice, lol) and it’s worth the trouble if you’re interested! I knew most of the information presented but I still felt a little stunned by some of the revelations in the final episode.

• Neal willingly came with me to watch The Eras Tour in theatres this week and it was actually…might I say moving? I cried during two songs in the first 30 minutes and will not publicly reveal which songs.

• These $120 Croc cowboy boots are one of the most perplexing fashion items I’ve seen in some time.

  

BIRTH NOTICES

• Although Neal and I have been suffering from allergies on and off for years, our cat’s recent asthma diagnosis finally compelled us to purchase an air purifier. The air quality detector on the purifier is shocking. TBD on whether the purifier can remedy the situation.

• I gave in to vanity and bought a ring light for my desk. After over 3 years of doing Zoom calls looking like a sickly Victorian child, I am stepping up my game for virtual interviews.

IN MEMORIAM

• What happens to the winners of the biggest pumpkin competition once the state fair is over? RIP massive pumpkin. (2,124 pounds, which is as much as a small car).

  

• Fall colors were in peak form this weekend on my drive to Charlotte, which means I am already grieving them.

COMICS

The global news in the last few weeks has been heavy. I hope that you are doing what you can to read and learn and listen, but I also hope that you are taking good care.

Thanks for reading,

Claire