Hi there friend,
“If you’re not happy with your situation, you should change it.”
I have doled out this advice - whether or not it’s been solicited - for many years. You’re unhappy in your relationship? Make a change. You don’t like your apartment? Then move. You don’t like your life? Go to Australia. You’re not happy with your job? Get a new one.
For me, making a change was the easiest thing in the world. Quitting my job and moving apartments was something I did annually. And I’ve made some big changes over the years. Moving to Australia was a biggie. Working on a farm was definitely different. Moving to Toronto was a doozy. But the pandemic forced me to do something I would never have done otherwise. At the beginning of 2020, I was making plans to quit my job and spend extended periods of time (winters) somewhere sunny (Sicily). I wasn’t happy, so I made a plan to fix it. Then the pandemic created a situation where it made more sense to keep my head down and sit tight.
I woke up in a world where the best thing for me was to make as few changes as possible. Stability, never something I’d been super concerned with, became me overarching goal. My mantra shifted from ‘make a change’ to ‘don’t get fired.’ And that has ultimately led to me spending nearly three years at my current job. Longer than any amount of time spent at any other office job. I was not happy about it.
And so it is very exciting to reclaim a bit of my former self and tell the world that I gave notice at work this week. On June 4th, I’ll be going down a completely different path. One that I am incredibly excited/anxious/thrilled/nervous about. One that makes me feel like me again, and I can’t wait to tell you what it is. (Except that I’m going to wait.) And while I didn’t care for my job anymore, I certainly did like the people I worked with. Gems and saints, 90% of them.
What are you reclaiming? I hope that you find a way to take back at least a tiny bit of yourself or your happiness this summer. I’m also hoping that this newsletter reclaims its sense of ha-ha with my impending liberty, lightness and lols.
The best thing I heard this week:
“He was wearing a beef whiter,” said an Australian friend, trying to use the North American word for singlet.
Henceforth, I will only be calling them beef whiters.
I’m reading
Yasmin Khan cooks her way through Palestine and creates a wonder of a book, Zaitoun. The toll of the Pandemic on nail salon workers. California is no longer in a drought - this is permanent. Climate disasters caused more internal displacement than war last year. Please, don’t kiss the chickens. If Joe Rogan is Goop for men, then Bitcoin is their astrology.
Eurovision Recap
I know what you’re thinking. “This section is for CANCON! What the hell does Eurovision have to do with Canada?” Nearly nothing! Except for that one time Celine Dion won in 1988 on behalf of Switzerland with ‘Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi’ and the outfit to end all outfits. (It was like if Carrie Bradshaw came from Quebec.)
But because Eurovision is such a spectacle and brings me so much joy, I just wanted to share a few of my favourite moments from this year’s show. (And yes, you can watch this on the highlights of my Instagram - Let me know if you want the formal rules for the Otricial Eurovision drinking game.)
Flo Rida performing with San Marino. What does Flo Rida have to do with The Most Serene Republic of San Marino, you ask? Absolutely nothing. But he was there, he was hyped, and he was shook when he realized how few points they got from the popular vote. THE DEVASTATION!
The lack of English songs. I mean, a lot were still in English, but on a continent with many different languages, it was really nice to see countries actually performing in their own language. Especially loved to see one of them win.
Both Cyprus and Norway embracing El Diablo. Demon/devil motifs are a surefire way to not win, but I love to think they saw Lil Nas X this year and were trying to find a way to make it their own.
Commitment to the dance moves. Lithuania takes first place in my heart for their yellow discotheque boogie, Iceland doubled down on their dance moves, and I always have time for a questionable green screen dance moment (thanks for that, Greece.)
JA JA DING DONG. This guy announced who was getting Iceland’s 12 points.
Whatever was happening in Germany. Check on your German friends.
Congratulations to Italy - who were legitimately overwhelmed to win and had the absolute best outfits.
Until next time, have a great weekend. If you have a friend who you think might not hate this, why not forward it to them?
Have a great Victoria day,
Trish