And Everything Else (10/19/20)
Life updates you didn't ask for.
Hi all! I don’t know about you, but it’s crazy to me that it’s already mid-October, seeing as March was like, yesterday. Somehow, fall is fully underway, there’s only 15 days to go until the election (which also happens to be my 27th birthday… #fun) and only 20 days until Kurt and I move to Raleigh. How. Is. This. Happening?!
Time is seriously flying, but I’ve also been keeping super busy (did I mention we’re moving in less than three weeks??). Read on for another edition of And Everything Else to learn what I’ve been up to these past seven days:
#1. I interviewed Meena Harris, Kamala’s niece and CEO of Phenomenal
Late last week, I interviewed Meena Harris, the founder/CEO of feminist brand Phenomenal, about what she’s learned from her aunt Kamala (you might’ve heard of her?), among other things. It was a great talk, touching on everything from sexist double standards to representation in kids’ books to growing up in a household where women’s ambition was encouraged, not shamed.
Read it here, and make sure you follow Meena on Twitter—she’s super vocal about the election, and responsible for some of the best memes of the campaign so far.
#2. I’m fundraising for the Native American Rights Fund
Did you know that in the Arizona portion of Navajo Nation, which is home to 67,000 eligible voters, there are just 27 postal locations?! That's equivalent to having 13 mailboxes in the entirety of New Jersey. Seriously messed up.
Since my birthday is coming up and, as mentioned, it happens to fall on the same day as the 2020 election, I decided to do my part by raising money for the Native American Rights Fund via a fundraiser on my Facebook page. This organization not only works to protect tribal resources, but is currently fighting against voter suppression for Native people. So if we’re Facebook friends, please donate if you can! And if we’re not, feel free to give them some $$ on your own.
#3. I hit the 20k word mark in my novel!
This weekend, I hit 20,000 words in my work-in-progress, which felt big. I still have a ton of work to do, but I’m super proud of myself for making it this far. Shoutout to my ~sad teen girl~ Spotify playlist for helping me, otherwise known as Phoebe Bridgers Radio, for seeing me through.
If you have any questions about my book-to-be or what it’s like to try to write a novel, send them my way! I’m always happy to chat.
#4. I have brand-new headshots
Recently, I decided it was time to get new headshots taken, as a) I’ve never actually had professional ones done and b) the photos I currently use for Twitter/LinkedIn/my website/etc are old AF. So I asked a talented photographer friend (Charlie Lederer—hit him up for your photo needs!) to take some new ones, and one hour of awkward posing in Prospect Park later, my headshots were born! Here’s a sample:
I also took several shots with Ellie, as all professional photos include the subject’s dog, right? Right.
Until next time, friends! Talk soon,
Rachel