Hi, friends! Hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving week already (especially in Raleigh, where it was like 70 degrees yesterday), but somehow, here we are. It may not be holiday weather, but the end-of-year madness has certainly begun; I don’t know about you, but my days are busier than ever, between regular job stuff, teaching, working on the book, and lots more. Not complaining, though—I've always been someone who thrives off having 9859434 things going on at once. ADHD brain FTW.
For a look at some of the things I’ve got going on these days, read on for this week’s installment of And Everything Else:
#1. I wrote about Grey’s Anatomy for Vulture
As you all know by now, I am a big Grey’s fan, having consumed every episode of this show since middle school. Is it ridiculous? 100%. Do I still love it with all my heart? Also 100%. So, I decided to write about it—specifically, how each return of a long-lost character over the years (looking at you, McDreamy) stacks up. Grey’s fans, prepare for some serious nostalgia.
As a longtime reader of Vulture, I’m thrilled to have my first piece up on the site. Feel free to read it/like it/share it with your friends, if you’re so inclined—and if you have any thoughts on my Grey’s ranking that you want to share with me, bring ‘em on.
#2. I’m making plenty of personalized crosswords for the holidays—order yours now!
With the holidays coming up fast, I’ve been making a ton of custom crossword puzzles for people to give as gifts to their parents, significant others, in-laws, and more. It’s so much fun to make each puzzle, and knowing they’re going to be presents under the tree/Menorah/whatever is the icing on the cake.
If you want to commission a puzzle for your loved one (or for yourself—totally an option!), send me a message. They’re inexpensive, creative, and super thoughtful gifts—what’s not to love?
#3. I’m wrapping up one writing class and getting ready to start another
Tonight is, sadly the final session of the Creative Nonfiction course I’ve been teaching for Gotham Writers Workshop. It’s been great teaching students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels all about writing everything from personal essays to travel memoirs, so I’m bummed it’s coming to an end!
I am excited, however, to start teaching my Writing for the Internet course with Redbud Writing Project this January. For info on what the class will be like, click here—and if you’re interested in signing up for a (virtual) spot, you can do so here! It’ll be fun. Promise.
And now, in non-work-related news…
#4. Kurt and I stared touring wedding venues
And it’s been an adventure. I started making a list of potential venues months ago (pretty much the day after we got engaged… I’m impatient, okay?), but we needed to wait until we’d actually moved to Raleigh to begin looking at places in-person. Over the past week, we visited three potential venues, one of which we really fell in love with. We’re still looking at a few other options juuuust in case, but it’s so cool to think that we might’ve found the place where we’re gonna get married!
All I’ll say about the space is that it’s beautiful, huge, and currently covered in Christmas lights that I know won’t be there for our potential spring 2022 wedding but still make me feel very happy. Now, let’s just hope (for many other reasons too, obviously) that a COVID vaccine really does come soon and we can have our wedding as planned…
That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great (and safe) Thanksgiving. With love as always from me and Ellie, otherwise known as Jeffrey Dog-mer when we put her in these glasses,
-Rachel