where did this month go?
rejections, thought-provoking reads + beverages and snacks I loved along the way
And somehow, it’s almost the end of October? How did that happen?
I’m going to get right into things.
Writing
Since my last update, I’ve submitted zero pieces and received two rejections.
The first rejection - not a big deal. I wouldn’t say I expected it, but it wasn’t terribly surprising, either. I’ve published with them before but the last piece before this one was also rejected. In both cases, I thought I hit the mark of the kind of writing they like to publish but seems that was not the case. That’s how it goes sometimes, though. I’ll keep trying.
The second rejection - again, not really a big deal. I have a few thoughts about why it may have been rejected, but they’re more speculation than fact so I’m not going to get into it here. The note from the editors was kind and they did encourage me to continue submitting my work so I will.
To be honest, I have not done a lot of writing in October. I’m not feeling blocked, necessarily - I have been making little notes in my phone, jotting down lines and ideas of scraps of paper as they come to me - but I have been distracted and my focus has been elsewhere. That’s not a bad thing but I am itching to get back to the work of creating.
For now, a little inspiration:
If you don't know where to start, remember that every single thing that's happened to you is yours and you get to tell it. If people wanted you to write more warmly about them, they should have behaved better. You're going to feel like hell one day if you wake up and you never wrote the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart. Your stories, memories, visions and songs, your truth, your version of things, in your own voice. That's really all you have to offer us. And that's also why you were born.
Reading
While I haven’t been writing as much in October, I have been reading. In fact, I realized earlier this week that I read…six books? Maybe seven? I’ve actually lost track.
A couple thoughts on two that stuck with me.
I picked up The Mustard Seed Conspiracy by Tom Sine a few years back. It was referenced in a book I enjoyed - The Ultimate Exodus by Danielle Strickland - and I found a copy on Amazon for a penny. It took months to arrive - and when it finally did, it ended up on a bookshelf where it sat for years. On more than one occasion, I considered un-hauling it. I’m so glad I didn’t.
This book was a trip. It was written in the late 70s/early 80s and it’s talking about the challenges of the future and how Christians can/should respond to those challenges. Not a novel concept…except for the fact that the “future” it references is time that has already passed and/or times we are in right now. It was fascinating to read about the ideas people had for what the future would look like, especially now that the future the author wrote about has passed. Some things he theorized came to be, others, not so much - in both cases, it was engrossing. The solutions element was also interesting - a lot of ideas that still resonate with the challenges we face today. It was a really great read and I’m so glad I finally picked it up.
The other book that stuck with me was Stars at Last by Jessica Jocelyn. A bit of an unconventional pick for me as far as format goes - this is a poetry book. But I devoured it, largely due to how relatable it was for me, both as someone with maternal trauma and now, a daughter of my own. Beautiful work that I absolutely will revisit.
Currently reading: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore | Field Notes for the Wilderness by Sarah Bessey | Good Inside by Becky Kennedy.
Random
A bit of backstory for this one.
Back in my university days, I worked at a grocery store. Primarily, I was a cashier (and occasional customer service/smoke shop clerk) but, particularly during my final three years with the chain, I also worked in file maintenance. For those unfamiliar, file maintenance is the area of a grocery store that is responsible for ensuring prices are correctly reflected in the system. Along with uploading the sales into the computer, file maintenance clerks update the tags on the shelves and make sure other grocery store signage is correct and up to date. It’s tedious work.
I loved it.
For my store, one thing the file maintenance team did was work an overnight shift once a week to update the prices to reflect the weekly flyer. I loved the overnight shift - but I also had a 9 am class the following day. Back then, I wasn’t a coffee drinker (those of you who know me know how wild that thought is). Instead, on night shift, I reached for energy drinks. Even then, they tasted how I imagine battery acid would taste. But they were effective so I choked them down and got to work.
My last night shift marked the last time I drank one…until a couple weeks ago when I spotted Alani Nu at the grocery store.
I have been curious about this particular brand for a long while, largely due to the influence of social media. I’ve seen them at Costco but given my past experience with energy drinks, the idea of shelling out for a huge case without trying it first…nah.
The long and short of it: I grabbed one. A couple days later, I drank it. And I am conflicted.
On the taste front: 8/10. I actually enjoyed the taste. It was sweet without being too sweet and very far removed from the battery-acid styles I’ve had before.
The problem for me was the effectiveness.
Yes, it was effective. But, for me, it was almost too effective. As in, I felt like I might Kool-Aid Man right through my office walls. Not…exactly what I was going for.
Will I try it again, though? Honestly, maybe. Like I said, I liked the taste! But maybe next time, I’ll had it instead of a coffee.
Or hey, maybe there will be a time when I’ll need that big Kool-Aid Man energy?
A few other new-to-me’s from this last month or so:
Barebells protein bars - not gonna lie: I was excited to find these at our local Superstore recently! Protein bars can be hit or miss for me but I had heard good things about these and they did not disappoint. So far I’ve had the chocolate dough, creamy crisp and cookies and cream. Loved the taste and texture. Although it is worth being aware of the sugar alcohol content, I’ll definitely buy these again.
Merry Berry Bubly - MY FAVOURITE SEASONAL FLAVOUR HAS RETURNED! While there are many excellent flavours of bubly out there, this one, in my opinion, is the superior one. Looking forward to drinking it…well, until it goes out of stock!
Interesting Coke Zeros - An odd one for me, since I am not really a huge pop drinker. This month, I tried Spiced Coke Zero and Oreo Coke Zero. They were OK. Nothing extraordinary. It felt weird buying a coke that was supposed to taste like a cookie? Honestly, though, I primarily bought these to make something else. Which brings me to…
Protein diet coke - in other words, a vanilla Core Power protein shake combined with coke. Felt VERY weird but tasted pretty good. Reminded me of a root beer float in a way. Don’t think it will be an every day thing but I’ll make it again.
And, of course, proffee - the protein coffee game is strong in my house. I’ve been having one every office day and I’ve been enjoying it. Currently using Good Protein powder, mixed with water and two per cent milk, added to whatever coffee I’m working with at home. Not a bad way to start the day!