larochelife

[larochelife]

2025 Spring Equinox Life Update

It is here! The spring equinox. And it’s snowing?? Sleeting?? Raining?? Not sure why or how but yeah all three of those things happened today. And it’s cold. So cold. It was 70°F yesterday! What the hell!! Weather will always be a hellish mystery to me I fear.

So! This is the first proper seasonal update as the last one was one covering an entire year. I know why I did that but it was not fun to wrangle, honestly. The tone was a bit odd but I couldn’t fix it and just gave up and let it be strange. Sometimes you have to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This time it’s only what happened this winter. A winter of stress, oddness, sleeplessness, and cheese (not a good thing for me, a noted cheese ambivalist).

It feels so strange to be writing properly for myself – I haven’t done this in an age and a half. I used to write stuff way more often but I just haven’t felt comfortable doing it in a while. No idea what’s changed but I’m thrilled to follow this thread and keep it going! I genuinely think part of my inspiration to just do things today has to do with me watching this elliotisacoolguy video today. It felt so poignant to me as I’ve been struggling with creative block problems lately (and by lately I mean for about a year and a half and it’s been killing me a bit inside) and have been trying to find ways out of it. Him just making himself do the thing was oddly inspiring, especially with the incredible arc and final message of the video.

Though the solstice was the 21st of December I ended up writing most of the last one of these (idk what to call these haha one day I’ll find a name) at the very end of the month/very beginning of January so I’ll just pick up this one at the beginning of January.

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I have spent so much time this winter doing research on website ~things~ of various flavors – coding, rss feeds, hosting websites, website building platforms, etc. Was this the best use of my time? Who knows. But I’ve been having fun and it’s felt really good to slowly be learning new skills. I miss spending time on computers in fun ways that felt fulfilling and worthwhile instead of just doing work, school work, and youtube/social media. Digging back into personal websites, real customization, and figuring out what will work for me has been such an odd process but such a good one; one I’m still absolutely in the middle of. (I have about seven million tabs open right now regarding many of those things and it will be awhile before it all settles down as I make decisions on what makes sense to really pursue properly for myself and my future.)

I am still yet to make any of the instagram posts sitting in wait on my phone and honestly I’m considering deleting my accounts there. It’s so useful as a platform but the company is evil and I, for somewhat obvious reasons, dislike that. I also hate the pushing of video content that’s happened in the entire time I’ve had it. Unfortunately it’s become so enmeshed in the culture that there are so many times people assume you must have it and that you’ll be able to complete some action via insta and in some deeply contrarian way that makes me want to delete it out of opposition even more. The main thing still keeping me on it are the number of my friends there that I mainly keep up with through it cos I don’t speak to anyone (I’m trying to make an attempt to work on that but it’s not going well). I want all of my friends to have the same interest in small internet things as I do and to migrate to other (better) sites but I know that’s unrealistic.

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January was an odd month in many ways. It just kept going. Not sure how it’s possible to experience a single month as something as long as I did but boy was it an age and a half. I learned to drive a stick shift in January! A lifelong goal has finally been achieved. :D Learning stick meant I got to go up and hang out with my grandmother for a while too which is one of my favorite activities in life, honestly. I love being in Tryon and I love getting to really just be my true random old bitch self up there with all the silly events and sitting around and vibing. Atlanta (and Sewanee) got a crazy snowstorm right when I got home again and the start of the semester was a bit odd and off because of that (a bunch of people got back to school late cos of icy roads and things just felt off). Luckily I only fell once because of ice but the ice and snow lingered for so long. Then as soon as that snow melted in Sewanee another snow storm hit. Jan 16th I backed into a car and that was horrible. Not in the long run but in terms of my sanity and peace of mind. I finally got the kindle my aunt & uncle gave me working – not attached to an actual amazon account because in true me nature it is simply too old to do so (and with all the tomfoolery with kindle purchase things happening lately I’m not too upset about that) but as long as I can find a pdf of whatever book I’m looking for I can load it directly onto it and that works well enough for me. Getting back to school in January was also my descent into madness due to my role in a play. I (foolishly) accepted the role of Props Designer for a new play we premiered as part of some funky new play program thingy. The play was set in a food pantry, so that meant nearly all of the props/set dressing was small food items. If you’ve never done props things, this is the hell situation. I had to make so many trips to walmart (a 30 min drive one way, not to mention the time spent in the store) I now know the layout of that store nearly by heart. Because the script was new, there also kept being new changes made that meant I had to entirely reconfigure my plan/setup for the needed props. So much pasta, tortillas, beans, rice, almond milk, cheese, and more. So damn much. That play consumes my life for all of January and February, honestly. I knew no reprieve. At work? It’s the play. In class? It’s the play. In my spare time? Oh what a funny joke – all of that went to the play.

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In February I got to witness frat pledges announcing what frat they’d chosen by running across a lawn to their choice frat (one of the most masculine american things I’ve ever witnessed tbh). I also went to my first college formal with my roommate! That was a crazy night that ended in a tornado watch and tarot readings...what a time. It also snowed again (just after the last of the snow from the previous storm had melted). My life in February truly only consisted of the theatre building and walmart. It was a sad month of my life.

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March marked the end of my play-induced madness and the return to a life. I finally redyed my hair! I had been bbc (blonde by choice) for far too long and needed to reinhabit my true and correct hair life. Feeling alive once again, I headed off for spring break only for it to go completely awry in the oddest ways possible. First weekend of spring break we (me, my parents, and brothers) went camping with my dad’s parents. Though that was absolutely exhausting it was a good time and generally chill. I aimed to go back to Sewanee via a shapenote singing in Alabama so I packed my things into the Miata and attempted to leave town. My drive ended a short 40 minutes later after being stuck in traffic on 285 for 20-30 minutes because my car started smoking. I ended up sat on the side of 285 for four hours of my life that day, trying to figure out what to do both on my own and in conversation with my parents. Eventually my mom came to pick me up and we left the Miata there to be picked up by a tow truck and taken to our mechanic (sorry Shirley). By the time I was finally on the road again (this time in the Prius), it was too late for me to make it to the shapenote singing so I headed straight to Sewanee. I then pet sat for one of my professors for three days and ended up not going home again at all during break. I was very sad to miss Super Saturday at the end of that week but that would have been 12 hours of driving from Sewanee and I just couldn’t make that make sense for me to do. I wanted to go home – I had so many things I wanted to do while in Atlanta but I was so scattered and crazy feeling I couldn’t make myself pack up and change locations yet again so I just stayed in one place and fended for food to the best of my ability. Classes resumed and I got the glory of horrifying people with my tales of woe over the break period (something I love to do after unfortunate situations). There was a lunar eclipse that I saw most of and attempted to take photos of (and obviously failed cos I don’t have a professional setup). And now here we are at the equinox.

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January and February were some of the longest months of ever but March so far has flown by. I don’t know if it’s the lack of The Play as a weighty force in my life making time move like this or something else but this month has felt very different from the previous two. I’m hoping this blip of creativity and drive and passion and possibility I’ve felt lately continues into the future and I can get out of the miserable rut I’ve been in for a very long time now. I’m trying to find better time management and life organization and productivity skills/methods so that I can get my schoolwork and workwork done while still having time and energy and drive to follow the other passions I have that make me feel fulfilled and happy in this life.

To a great spring and joyful days, I toast thee, farewell for now.

[larochelife]

December 2024 Newsletter

Winter Solstice/End of Year Wrap Up

Welcome one and all to the first of hopefully many quarterly reviews/catch ups of my life recently. Since it is also the end of the year I shall include things that happened in this year in general rather than since the fall equinox. Boy oh boy has it been quite the year!

Some of the highlights include: being in my first musical in a performance role (orchestra member), going to college, not buying the thirty-seven million cars I fell in love with on craigslist, seeing some really awesome shows, and using public transit a lot more than usual.

Some general stats for the year: - 45 journal entries - 0 personal sewing projects done or started - 3 things mended - 3 all nighters - 3 classes missed - A little bit of cross stitch done - Far too many things purchased - Not enough sleep slept - 40,000+ minutes of music listened to (~666+ hours) - 28 books read - casual storygraph plug - 78 movies - casual letterboxd plug - 24(ish?) live shows (both music and theatre)

January Started dual enrollment classes at Georgia State! Only one of the classes I took (Intro to Astronomy and College Algebra) were transferrable credits to Sewanee (the Astro class) but I am so glad I took both. It was a really good way for me to be out of the house, getting credit, and doing things in the world. Began working for Libba & Henry on shipment days while Hamilton was in Atlanta. Took both my brothers and I to OnStage Atlanta’s (local theatre company) production of The Lightning Thief as part of their Christmas presents and had a blast there. I love that musical and no one will ever change that.

February Saw the live shadow cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Plaza twice this month! Went to the so-called “Musicals Rave” (read: musicals sing along at loud volume at night) with Sydney at the Masquerade for the first time (I haven’t technically been back to that night a second time but I have intentions to). I was pulled over for the first time this month…for not having my lights on in a very well lit part of town. Not a big deal but still a very terrifying moment. Saw Chicago at Chamblee High! What an incredible production it was too. Started the process of dancing again by going to the adult modern drop in class that had started recently at ADMA.

March Dadi Freyr at the Variety Playhouse! Fantastic night that I still can’t really believe happened honestly. It’s so weird to see someone on a show and then see them in real life in front of you. Saw the Kiev Ballet’s production of Giselle at the Atlanta Symphony Hall - beautiful ballet and beautiful dancers. Super Saturday was awesome as always. Beetlejuice (tickets were a Christmas present) at the Fox! I absolutely adore this musical and am so glad I got to see it live. Noahfinnce at the Masquerade rounded off this fantastically show heavy month and going to that show was a last minute decision I’m so glad I made. He sounds great live and the vibe that night was incredible.

April Shrek the musical was at the Fox and though I face planted on the stairs trying to get to my seat I had a great time at that show. Visited Sewanee for the first and only time in the application/acceptance process. This is Spinal Tap on the big screen at the Plaza. Renaissance Festival trip with my family. Six at the Fox - accidentally bought tickets for the same day as my neighbors so we all met up for dinner beforehand which was lovely. Puffs (twice) at Decatur High! What an unexpected and hilarious time that play is. Mamma Mia! at Druid - gorgeous vocals in that show. Renaissance Festival trip with Zoey. Prom! Super fun night but a crazy hectic way to finish off the month.

May Anthony’s final orchestra concert. A couple TMS class reunions/events. Final Girl Scout camping trip! Eurovision! (We watched it way later this year though for several reasons) Sooooo many graduations. Mr. Bungle at the Tabernacle! The Crow on the big screen at the Plaza! The Rite of Spring at Atlanta Symphony Hall! Sooooo many graduation parties. Vision Video at the Masquerade! Lake time with the Scott-Mandels.

June My grad party/show. Les Miserables at the Fox! To Kill a Mockingbird at the Soldiers & Sailors Auditorium! Time up in Sewanee while my aunt worked the adult summer camp up there. Time in Tryon cat/house sitting for my grandmother.

July Much more time in Tryon both cat/house sitting for my grandmother and cousin watching during camp time. Dinner & fireworks at my aunt and uncle’s house. The quinceanera for one of my brother’s friends!

August Had lunch with my grandparents in Atlanta so they could see me before I went to college. Went to college! Find Your Place intensive period. Sewanee classes began.

September Evensong at All Saint’s Chapel.

October Brian Selznick author talk! 19th birthday. Not my fav birthday ever… In Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 as a cellist! First time in an on stage role in a musical and it rocked. I love that musical with all my heart. Sewanee orchestra concert. My grandmother came up to Sewanee!

November Alumni theatre panel and reunion weekend in general! Very nice to see all those people up there. Went to a grocery store for the first time in three months - life changing stuff, grocery stores. Started therapy! Tour of the Sewanee recording studio and got to meet one of the students running it. Pet/house sat for Kinion. Saw Dancewise at the TWC! Dentist :( Wicked Part 1 at North Dekalb AMC! What a movie that is.

December Got bangs again. Snowed for the first time this school year in Sewanee! Winter Sewanee orchestra concert. Photos with Santa… Lessons & Carols at All Saints’ Chapel! God what an incredible choir we have. First attendance to the regular Shapenote singing at Antioch Baptist. The Gulf at the TWC - I love plays about dysfunctional lesbians (hence my love of Wicked). Between two dirty Santas I ended up with both a partially functional vise and a giant box of dried cranberry packages collected over the span of four years. Pancake night at Clurg! Day on the town in Atlanta again finally. Final friend movie night of the year :) crimis First new year's eve outside of my house.

It has been a hell of a year and I have been all over the place mentally and physically (in terms of actual location and health haha) but boy am I glad to have most of these things behind me so I can now focus on the new and terrifying things heading my way soon! Here’s to hoping for more shows, friends, and good times in 2025 :)