{"id":2008,"date":"2021-02-14T15:03:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-14T23:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/digitalmanticore.com\/?p=2008"},"modified":"2021-02-14T15:03:32","modified_gmt":"2021-02-14T23:03:32","slug":"a-week-in-the-life-february-14-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalmanticore.com\/?p=2008","title":{"rendered":"A Week in the Life: February 14, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re not in the habit of making a big deal of Valentine’s day in this house, but I do like it as a reminder to appreciate the people I care about and who care about me. This morning, I made biscuits and gravy for breakfast and then Kirk and I played Mario Kart 8, which was my Valentine’s gift to us. Kirk is going to make us dinner tonight. In non-pandemic years, we made it a custom to go out for dinner the day after <\/em>Valentine’s day. It’s a good way to avoid crowds and high prices at restaurants. Going out on the 15th instead of the 14th doesn’t mean you love each other any less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week has been a little chaotic for me. We have a big proposal at work that we’re trying to finish and the writers keep blowing off their deadlines. I was scheduled to edit it this weekend since that was the only time remaining. Fortunately, the potential client extended the due date. Unfortunately, they published that announcement at midnight Saturday morning, so I still worked late on Friday and worked early on Saturday before finding out about it. I’m glad I got to keep three-quarters of my weekend, but all the stress wore me out. Having personal time is so important to me and enjoyable free time is the main benefit of having a job (aside from the paycheck!). So, when work cuts into my time, it really stresses me out. After being so keyed up over the threat of working all weekend, I was exhausted when it didn’t happen. Emotions are annoying that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consuming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some things I’ve recently read, watched, or bought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books and Other Words<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"book<\/a>
Mexican Gothic<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This week I read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic<\/a>. This is the second book of hers I’ve read and I had pretty high expectations because I loved Gods of Jade and Shadow<\/a>. Mexican Gothic is a spooky novel set in 1950s Mexico. The protagonist, Noem\u00ed, gets a semi-incoherent letter from her cousin, who married a white man and moved to his fancy house in the middle of nowhere, and the family is concerned. Noem\u00ed is sent to investigate and horror ensues. I usually don’t like scary books (real life is enough, thanks), but I liked this one a lot even though I was scared. There is an interesting supernatural element, but the real horror comes from the forces of colonialism and patriarchy. I recommend this book if you’re looking for some chills from a different perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile on the internet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n