The Lesson of the New Computer
Good morning you almost-summer time wonders.
This past month, I bought a new computer.
I bought the old one back in 2015 refurbished. Over the years the speakers got blown out, the keyboard and track pad no longer worked and finally in these last months, it needed to be plugged in all the time or else the charge ran out in a matter of minutes.
I’d been fantasizing and dreaming about a new computer. I could once again meet writer-friends at coffeeshops! I could listen to music louder than a whisper! It would maybe be a little lighter than carrying around a twin sized mattress. I was excited!
After some back and forth about what I wanted - me: “a glorified typewriter” - I bought my first new computer in eight years. When it arrived, I worked with an IT specialist (PS: This man was a saint) to start the process of moving me from the Old Computer to the New One. Almost immediately, my excitement was very quickly replaced by overwhelm, regret and frustration.
Here is an accurate depiction of what I looked like during this time:
Past Liza had made some pretty bold, highly questionable and truly mind-boggling choices when it came to that Old Computer. Choices that Present Liza now had to face and ultimately battle like they were a pack of stray cats I was trying to give a sponge bath.
But, what offended me the most was the recognition that I’d never had a more tangible example that perfectly encapsulated the complicated reality we experience when trying to make positive changes in our lives. You’re excited! You’ve been dreaming of this! You’re finally going to take the leap. And then OH LOOK there’s untold thousands of emails you saved to your Old Computer’s actual hard drive for some unknowable-ass reason and now this exciting new path has devolved into the drudgery of MANUALLY transferring them over one folder at a time. Not quite the makeover montage I was dreaming of.
I wanted my Old Computer back. It wasn’t that bad. I mean, it worked fine enough. What I wouldn’t give to hear just one more song through those tinny blown out speakers.
I understand that everything about the New Computer is better. Except:
It’s new.
It’s not familiar.
I have to face my past choices and their consequences.
I have to learn.
I am going to be bad at it.
I am uncomfortable.
I must change.
Sound familiar?
It’s now been about three weeks since I bought the New Computer. This past weekend, I finally took the Old Computer off my desk and tucked it lovingly into its old computer bag in my closet. It was oddly emotional.
Because it’s not just a computer.
Change is hard. Even for the better. These beginnings and ends. They always pack more of a punch than you think they will. Especially when those punches come from such little fists. But, nothing is insignificant when you’re trying something new. Everything feels tectonic.
Even getting a new computer.
Each month, I’ll gather:
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🥑 good food and great places to eat and drink
🕯calming things
*****
🤩
Have you ever thought: Endeavour was far too effusive and happy go lucky for me? Well then, meet Dalgleish. A broody poet as detective? Bertie Carvel? Get outta here. Season 2 is here and it’s great.
As your Non-Gardening/Gardening-Obsessed Guide, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is happening (just happened?) and those show gardens… man, they’re gorgeous. Obviously, Gardener’s World is there and you know I’m watching.
Love Lois Lane? Writer Sarah Kuhn and Illustrator Arielle Jovellanos created the brilliant, heartbreaking, and action-packed, Girl Taking Over. It’s SO good.
For those in LA, Keith Haring is coming to The Broad.
Rebekah Weatherspoon’s debut YA novel, Her Good Side, is out tomorrow. This book is so VERY good and perfect for the summer. Or maybe you’re looking for something a bit more adult? Maybe try her contemporary romance novel, Rafe. It’s still one of my all time favorites.
🤝
Follow Martha for really cool gardening tips for small spaces and beginners.
Follow Cyrus for incredible skin care tips and all around beauty advice.
Follow Marcus Bridgewater for meditative gardening and a calming timeline cleanse.
🌈
🥑
I’ve been subscribing to Unity Coffee for a few years now, and it’s just the smoothest, lushest and most consistently great coffee I’ve ever had.
One of my favorite flavors/foods is ginger. I put it in everything. I discovered THIS for my smoothies and to use in Maangchi’s Saenggangcha. I wanna figure out a way to make my own frozen li’l cubes, but also THIS recipe looks really cool.
Along those lines, my favorite cookies growing up were Pogen’s, they were these little snappy ginger cookies. I haven’t been able to find em forever, but THESE are pretty damn close.
It’s officially summer and I am here once again reminding you that these Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars are frickin delicious.
Also - since this is now a ginger-filled list - THESE bubble waters are delicious.
🕯
My sister got my mom THIS AMAZING HAT for Mother’s Day and I immediately ordered my own. I am finally entering the giant sun hat phase and I couldn’t be more excited.
I got my sister THIS SLEEP SHIRT for Mother’s Day and she loves it - says the weight of it made her think it would feel hotter than it was, but it’s miraculously light and breezy. Perfect for summer.
My family likes to communicate (and roast) each other through making custom embroidery pieces. And THIS is where we’re having the best ones made yet.
I burned through another li’l blender making my smoothies in the morning - and I will admit I am HARD on things - but, I decided to try another brand. The one I had my eye on was a bit more expensive, but I decided to go for it. DEAR LORD. THIS BLENDER … it’s like night and day. Oddly, I’m learning my smoothies should NOT have chunks of protein powder and full berries in em? WHO KNEW?
🥰 I am here. Together, we will endeavor to just do the next right thing. 🥰
See you on the last Monday of every month.