Let’s get something clear: I am a woman. I love women.
If you are unfamiliar, I am talking about this brave tweet that former Glee star Jane Lynch cooked up for us all, completely unprompted.
Now that we all can agree on my credentials (I love women, I AM woman) I’d like to propose that us gals unify in a larger movement, which is not to lower our podcasting voices, as Jane suggests.
The way we combat sexism, internal and external, is not to deepen our voices for our podcasts. It is imperative we never have a podcast to begin with.
If one has the unfortunate luck of having a podcast, let me propose an alternative, more radical, solution to Jane’s. Lowering your voice? Coward shit. We must stand united and try as hard as we can to sound exactly like this recreation of “what mummy’s voice would have sounded like.”
Thank you for hearing me on this important topic. (Relatedly, reminds me of this very old read on Joanna Newsom, Kate Bush and crew, from The Awl, “The Fragile Ears of Men, and this essay I wrote a while back on why we demand good takes from celebrities.)
Anyways I also implore you to look at her earlier work, see below. Jane’s life tips: ladies, lower your voices before going on Chapo. Working class America? On your knees before your billionaire in wine cave (is this Batman? I’m the Joker) snap snaps at you for a top off. Babe… have you considered guillotine? As self care?
Maybe in a newsletter soon I will compile my years-long research and investigations into Famous Woman Posting Syndrome, the most famous of course being J.K. Rowling. Like this post…if you want that…or something? Or just stay tuned.
Anyways hi everyone!! Did you miss me in your inbox and heart and soul? I did!! I’m back! After taking a good chunk of time off to get healthy, be so blissfully offline I don’t know what to do with my hands, fall in love, be messy, work on new exciting things, cry about everything, kiss my dog, and support my family after the death of my grandmother. If you’ve been following the page for a long while, you might remember my grandma as the provider of those rock men? The, like, felt paperweights with rocks inside their mouths that I keep on my desk? They made many appearances. She also is the creator of “terrifying oil painting of rabbi” that has made some cameos over the year. I’ll definitely write something about her life, and coping with that loss, in the near future. Cheers to Shirley, I wouldn’t be who I am without her!
Today I have for you: great things to read from past months, some more timely asks and places to support, Hell News, Nose News, a playlist, and some book recs.
Last note: If you aren’t subscribed to the other newsletter I’m part of, ToonStack, sign on up! The theme this week (a sneak preview just for you) is poetry. Cartoons about poems, poems about cartoons. Every Sunday in your inbox you’ll get a handful of cartoons from me and much more professional cartoonists, with one of us editing around a specific theme. It’s so fun, everyone is hilarious and so talented. Truly an honor to be part of it, it’s free, I think you’ll enjoy!
Important shit from friends:
Click the tweet to read more and sign the petition, or click here.
Skill shares relating to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse: from always brilliant Lexie Bean who normally edits this newsletter except when I go rogue and do this instead. Highly encourage all who feel this might be a fit to attend.
BEYOND 'THE HEROIC SURVIVOR' - for a skillshare on people looking to support survivors in their own lives - i am going to go for sunday afternoons in august - the 7th, 15th, and 21st! from 4 to ~6:30pm EST. http://tinyurl.com/beyondtheheroicsurvivor <-- survivors may also sign up for this & i am extra encouraging cis and/or straight men to sign up
BEYOND 'SELF CARE' - for a skillshare on survivors supporting themselves - i am going to go for tuesday evenings in august - the 9th, 16th, and 23rd! from 7 to ~9:30 EST. tinyurl.com/beyondselfcare4survivors
& this is also survivor specific, which I have been doing for the past half a year on a monthly basis and it has been v sweet -
a storytelling workshop - i am going to go for thursday evenings in august - the 4th, 11th, and 18th! from 7 to 9 EST. tinyurl.com/storytelling 4 survivors
Some more info: “These are all three-session series pointing to myths, short term support, and long term support for self and others!! If you're interested, but can't make it, fill out the form anyways so I can keep you updated if I do this again <3 If you just wanna donate for a scholarship spot for anybody, that's also an option! Each offering below is paired with a link with a lot more info.”
Links:
Roe Was Always a Terrible Basis for Abortion Rights. Now We Can Fight for Something Better — Jacobin
The January 6 Hearings Are Not Going to Save Us — The Nation
The Weird, Analog Delights of Foley Sound Effects — New Yorker
There are Trees in the Future, Or, A Case for Staying — Protean Mag
Can Laws Spur Labor Militancy? — Labor Politics Substack
The Writing on the Wall — Real Life Mag
The Archivist and the Magazine — Gawker
Sheep News:
Scotland's rare seaweed-eating sheep. If you haven’t read my previous sheep news installments, click here and here. While you’re here if you haven’t given me your data to mine/sell, please do so below:
Hell News:
Fact check: Scientists at CERN are not opening a 'portal to hell'. Bummer!
Nose News:
Colorado Springs man becomes fourth person to push a peanut up Pikes Peak with his nose
Here he is!
Listening to:
Reading long form:
I did it, I started Dhalgren.
Eugene Lim: rules. I just read Dear Cyborgs, also loved Search History.
I Am The Brother of XX, Fleur Jaeggy
My Book Is On Sale At The Anarchist Bookstore In North Carolina
Really have waited my whole life to say that phrase and for it to be true. Yes, if you find yourself at Firestorm Co-Op in Asheville, not only is my book on sale (cancellation discount) but I did sign all the copies in store while sweating profusely. Go check it out!
My Dog:
Here she is with some fungi and also meeting horse. Thoughts on her size, or lack thereof, are always welcome via email at awardsforgoodboys@gmail.com.
See you in your inboxes again soon, sending lots of love!
Shelby (and Clem)
Clem's size continues to be an absolute mystery, even despite clear photographic evidence.
Jane Lynch's tweets baffle me. I am baffled.