July In Review

Looking back on the month

Where has the month gone? Where has the year gone? I try to remind myself I was mostly on bed rest for a few months, so my sense of timing and movement is all off. It’s been wonderful to be back this July and to get knee deep in Substack again (or as much as I can between family and work). August will be a busy start for me, so I’ll try to keep the ship going, but it should slow down a bit before picking back up. I’ll have people staying at my house, multiple birthdays, and a family reunion. All in two weeks.

I wanted to sit back and have a fun little post. I want you to tell me a bit about what you’ve enjoyed this month. So while you peruse, think about the things you enjoyed this July as well. I want to hear from YOU (though we know I’m terrible at replying) (Listen, it’s called avoidant attachment, okay?).

So let’s look back on a nice good month

What I Watched in July

It should be known in general I don’t watch a lot of tv or movies. It’s not that I don’t like to, I just enjoy having dedicated quiet time to do so and well, that’s impossible. However, I did manage to set aside evenings for My Lady Jane and oh my did I love it.

I had on idea what to expect. I’m a history buff, sure, but I’m no expert on the Tudors or Jane Gray. My number one point of reference is a damn painting (of course). (and if you’re wondering, yes they reference the painting in the show!!!)

I wanted to watch because I love one of the actors, who I knew for his part in A Discovery of Witches (which I need to finish). And oh I was not disappointed. If, like me, you’re a history buff, worry not. Is it accurate? No. Is it at least honest about it? Yes. Very. My sister compares this to Ella Enchanted but for adults, and I would say she’s on the nose, but I’d liken it more to A Knight’s Tale meets Ella Enchanted. It’s just a romp and so so fun. And I’ll confess it now, Marie was my favorite. I was losing it over every scene she was in. Absolutely recommend it!

My family is a family of Trekkies. My name actually comes from Star Trek! My parents wanted to name me after Jean-Luc Picard and decided if I was a girl I’d be Shana Luca. They changed their minds in the last second, and no, it doesn’t make any sense (my parents don’t understand French names). Summer for us always means Star Trek. Because of the strike last summer, there’s no new season of Strange New Worlds (my favorite) this year, so we’re rewatching it from the beginning.

I’ve been reminded why I love Spock so so much. I just adore the show and could talk about it for hours. My dad went to the Star Trek convention last year and met Ethan Peck. He told him that because of him, his daughters now love Star Trek. Then he asked me to send him money so he could take a picture of Ethan Peck. I gave him a firm ‘NO’ then demanded he tell Ethan and another actor I love them both very very much. My dad’s comment to Ethan Peck isn’t an exaggeration. I started watching because I love Ethan Peck. Now I love it for the plot… I swear.

You’re all welcome to laugh at my Trekkiness. I can take it. I looooove Star Trek.

What I Listened to in July

Aside from soooo many audiobooks I’ve already talked about A Love Supreme and how it was on repeat for me one day. I also spoke of reading 3 Shades of Blue, a group biography following the work behind the album Kind of Blue. What I didn’t mention was that I bought these on vinyl. That, and I bought In A Sentimental Mood on vinyl. It was time.

I prefer vintage vinyl to new pressings. I have new pressings of Bill Evans (which is always on repeat) and I found it lacking at first. It just couldn’t compare to the raw sound of my Frank Sinatra vintage vinyls. I’m still a purist, but it was impossible to find Coltrane and Miles Davis, so I caved and went second hand. They were new pressings, but still second hand, so it works in my head. Also my Duke Ellington & Coltrane vinyl is purple! I was screaming in delight.

Of course, the sound is amazing. Will I write about the joy of vinyl? Yes. Yes I will. Not anytime soon, but I definitely will.

The funny thing is when my Coltrane and Duke Ellington vinyl came in, I instantly wanted to listen but had family over. Then I determined to listen the next day, and my sister insisted on joining me. We then got into an argument as she insisted we already heard In A Sentimental Moon, which we most certainly hadn’t. She’s frustrated at how often she has to listen to my jazz records, which make up 80% of our vinyl collection. But I persisted, and it was worth it.

Other than that, My Lady Jane has a killer soundtrack so I was listening to that on repeat. Yes, it’s true, sometimes I like modern music.

What I Read in July

Mostly biographies. Some I can’t talk about yet as I’ll be posting about them soon (many of the biographies I read up on are for research for posts as well as entertainment). But I’ve read more this month than any other so far in 2024. I blame it on my boring job. They pay me to read, essentially.

Some highlights:

Once Upon A Time by Elizabeth Beller - most of what I know of Caroline Bessette-Kennedy was her fashion sense. Now I love love love her dammit. Did John John deserve her? No, I daresay he didn’t.

The Mystery of Mysteries by Mark Dawidziak - You cannot comprehend my utter joy at finding out that not only did Edgar Allan Poe live in my beloved Philadelphia but was influenced by the writing scene and wrote much of his most famous work in the city! Also learning that children would follow him around to get his attention after The Raven and he’d turn around and spook them by shouting, “Nevermore!” may have made my year. I plan to read through all of his fictional work and poetry this year.

Anna by Amy Odell - I’m a fashion girly at heart, so I won’t apologize for this. Honestly, it was fascinating. I balked at times and the chisme was good, but mostly I had a lot more respect for Anna’s vision and determination. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it.

American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin - I really just wanted a super long biography and this fit the bill. I’ve never had an interest in Oppenheimer, but this book inspired the film which I still have not seen (like I said, I rarely watch tv and movies), so I thought it would be fun to watch and encourage me to see the movie at last. I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially with how long it is, but by the end I was emotional and devastated at how Oppie was treated by the country he so loved. I just loved him by the end, dammit. Still need to see Oppenheimer.

The Trial by Franz Kafka - Do I really need to explain this one?

General Good Things

-I got film developed from family gatherings! I wish I could share, but I want to preserve my family’s privacy. Let’s just say it’s a huge delight, and I doubt I’ll ever go back now. I have a film camera, but these came from disposible cameras and it’s super fun.

-Brownies from my favorite French bakery in Salt Lake City! I would share but… I don’t want them to run out.

-H-Mart in Utah!!! You have on idea how happy this has made me! I’ve been going every week and making myself dinner has been an absolute delight!

-This video on Youtube. I basically drop everything when Alina comes out with a new video.

-The fact that EDGAR ALLAN POE LIVED IN PHILLY is still top tier in my mind. Why did no one tell me? AND JOHN COLTRANE TOO?? Does no one want me to be happy? Why must I know this while NOT in Philadelphia??

Two Final Things

The first week of July, my brother and his family of seven kids surprised us. We hadn’t seen them in almost two years, and suddenly we were surrounded by them. I cannot express to you the joy of being surrounded by the loves of my life. It’s a well known fact that my one niece is the light of my life, and I hated being away from her. When she’s gone, a part of me is missing.

At the end of the night, I was sitting on the couch with two of my nieces in my arms. They snuggled against me, telling me how they loved me and missed me. I used to live with them, and I always take an active role in the lives of my nieces and nephews, but they live across the country now. I kissed their heads when the scent of mate cocido suddenly filled the air. This was it, I thought. This is the greatest thing in the world. I was surrounded by my favorite kids and my favorite scent. Most of the time life is messy, but sometimes, sometimes life is perfect.

-

My friend is submitting her VAWA case. I spent all of last week helping her to write her case. It kept me from being active on substack and reading friend’s posts, but I was determined to help her. She came to my house and we walked through her case. I reassured her and talked out various steps in the process with her. She was nervous and terrified about opening Pandora’s Box. Talking about an abusive relationship is never easy, but talking about every aspect of it, including the most private, is downright terrifying.

I pulled a near all nighter finishing her case, determined to get it right for her. I told her she wouldn’t get a second shot. A few days after I sent it to her, we got incredible news. Her mother, who was also a domestic abuse victim that submitted a VAWA, just heard back. She received her work permit and a SSN. In time, she’ll get her residency. She found this out the day before her birthday.

It’s hard to explain what this means when you’re outside of it. Even though I’ve been knee deep in this world and actively working on helping people, I know deep down inside I don’t understand this feeling. I was born a citizen of this country. My dad is Puerto Rican. My mom became a citizen through marriage to him before I was even born.

But I’ll never forget when, on the following Sunday, they sat in our backyard and when she thought no one was noticing, my friend’s mom pulled out her wallet to look at her social security card and nearly kissed it. I’ll never forget that look in her eyes, that pride and love and relief.

Immigration is so difficult and frustrating, but sometimes, you’re amazed by the light at the end of the tunnel. I miss working in it so bad. I miss getting to be a part of helping people through this journey. I miss it so so much.

Only photo I’ll share. Taken on 33 mm film.

Now, if you so desire, tell me about your July. What did you read? What did you watch? What made you laugh? What made you cry? Tell me! I want to hear about your month.