joy: week 23

kittens and music and the arrival of fall

Is there anything I hate more than paperwork? Maybe the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but that’s about it. This was a week which found me needing to gather documents and scan them and upload them and fill out a ton of paperwork and it ate up my mental goodwill. I am stressed out, friends. But on the bright side, I had a couple of joyful things to embrace this week, so I am glad I have this space to write about it and express my gratitude toward the people and things that keep me going when everything seems hard.

The kittens have kept me busy! Reilly got neutered this week and that went well. He recovered so nicely, ever complained once. And this means he is officially mine. Signed the adoption papers when I picked him up. He is getting along so well with Pixie. They are absolutely best buds, playing and eating and sleeping together. The joy they have brought me cannot be understated. Watching them leap in the air to get at each other, discovering how to climb their tower, crawling in and out of their cat tunnels, it all makes me so happy. I have so much love to give and I am directing it all at two adorable kittens right now. And they love me right back. Affectionate cats are the best.

So what else went on this week that brought me joy? Well, it’s finally fall and the weather is cooperating. Low 60s yesterday, won’t get out of the mid 70s this week. It’s glorious and it makes me feel like I can do anything, even tackle a mountain of paperwork. This is my time of year. This is when I’m at my best and feel like I can take on anything. I get so much stuff done in the fall and I’m looking forward to tackling some of the big things on my project list. I even got started on dressing the house up for autumn.

I bought myself an Apple TV this week. My Firestick stopped working like six months ago and, after spending last weekend fooling around with my sister’s Apple TV, decided that was the way to go. No more watching hockey games or movies on my Macbook. I have every streaming app I need right at my fingertips. Even if I just want to leave on season 4 of the Simpsons as background noise, I can now do that on the tv and be able to write at the same time. I also pay for Apple Arcade and there are several pretty good games you can get on there.

The National dropped a new album this week, so soon after First Two Pages of Frankenstein. It’s very good, if not exactly what I was looking for (like many people, I’m looking for something akin to Boxer or Alligator). There are some really pretty songs on it, especially “Dreaming,” but I don’t know if it’s going into regular rotation. It’s still nice to hear new music from them so soon after the last album. Music Critic Steven Hyden made a playlist that is the best songs from both albums, making for one very good record.

Philly band Slaughter Beach, Dog put out a new album this week. Led by Jake Ewals from Modern Baseball, they have a very unique sound that is part indie, part emo, part rock and roll. I discovered them when I saw them open for Jeff Rosenstock and I fell in love. The new album is a joy, indeed.

Lastly, and also on the music front, is a video from the band Equipment out of Ohio. It’s one of the best videos I’ve ever seen (and a great song). I had a smile on my face the entire time I watched and when it was done I watched it again.

Ok, that’s it for this week. I hope you enjoy some new music, some good weather, and a healthy dose of kittens this week. I know I will.