Embrace all the decency you can find

November 17, 2-25

Fun To Be Around is written by me, Stephanie Weaver, MPH an author and TED talk coach. No aspect of this post is created using any type of AI. I post for the delight of writing and connecting, hoping to add a bright spot to your week regardless of what’s happening in the world. No paywalls, ever. Support my work as a disabled writer with a $5 monthly subscription, or a one-time donation via Venmo.

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Image credit: Audrey K on Unsplash

THINKING ABOUT:
It’s been a disturbing week, especially as a childhood sexual assault survivor. I urge all my fellow CSA peeps to please take care of yourselves. I am moderating how much I ingest about the details of the scandal as the information drips out.

If this finally horrifies people enough to get justice for the survivors and take down all the perpetrators, that would be a wonderful outcome. I’ll be over here reminding myself that there are still good people in the world, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

WATCHING:
If they had shown movies like Death by Lightning in my American History class, I might have realized I liked history. This fascinating four-part series—based on the book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard—explores the unlikely rise of Ohio Congressman James Garfield to President of the United States in 1880, the skullduggery and power struggles behind his last-ditch nomination by the Republican Party, and his rocky attempts at seating a cabinet. It’s a direct allegory to the political situation in which we find ourselves today. Michael Shannon’s warm and humble Garfield seems to be no match for the devious politicians who help him get elected. Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Charles Giteau as a wobbly conspiracy theorist feels beyond timely. And the doctor who treats him for his gunshot wound who doesn’t believe in germ theory? I can think of a current Cabinet Secretary would could have played that role. (Netflix)

READING: Joyride by Susan Orlean
I had the pleasure of attending

Susan Orlean

’s recent San Diego tour event with my book bestie Paula. Orlean was as warm, funny, and polished as I expected. I’ve been a fan of her work for a long time, and was excited to sit down with her memoir/autobiography Joyride. Three pages in and I had to grab a fresh highlighter and start the book from the beginning. Joyride is as much a craft book as it is a memoir. My brand-new highlighter expired before I finished the book.

You'll find all of my book recommendations at my Bookshop. If you buy from this link the author makes more, an indie bookstore gets the sale, and I make a small commission. Win/Win/Win!

Here’s the Amazon link if you prefer.

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Thanks for reading this week. Let’s hold each other close in this darkness, hold onto our empathy, and not give up working toward healing and justice.