#MediaLiteracy

This morning some news in Israel worried me. Police greenlit a "Maccabi March" for extremists on Thursday, who claim the route will take them through Old City sites that sparked violence in April: chilling news for the start of Hanukkah.

BUUUT Israeli police say the route is being exaggerated by extremist marchers & those panicked by the thought of another clash at Al Aqsa Mosque/Temple Mount.

In other words: extremists *want* this route to provoke. That doesn't mean it has to.

One volunteer task involves work for an editor who passed last year.

Obviously, when I die I'll cease to exist and no longer care what's said about me, but I always think the best tributes for the dead would resemble elementary school report cards:

Played well with others.

Always helped with the animals, plants, and clean-up.

Sat with the new kid at lunch.

Still working on self-regulation with big feelings, but trying their best.

And the crème de la crème?

"A pleasure to have in class."

Two classes this fine morning, then two paid pieces and two volunteer tasks to finish before evening classes.

And maybe time for a post between them?

Only if I hustle!

Happy Tuesday, all. 💫

Not exactly why I can't sleep, but an oldie and a goodie. #CoSoNightShift

🥳

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First half of the novel MS is out to my beta reader *just* before class. 💪🏻 I might have this finished by year's end after all!

(Thank you, student, for running 10 minutes late. No apology necessary! 😅)

If you need a wholesome little corner of the internet, may I recommend reddit's r/whatismycookiecutter? It's where people try to figure out what your cookie cutter is supposed to design - and sometimes fill in very silly guesses when the shape is just bonkers.

Otherwise, what are you using as an eyewash station online these days?

And... we're at the part of the "working in public" day where some jag-off switching between softcore porn and reggaeton music videos (sometimes a thin line!) on his cell without headphones is disrupting my ability to concentrate.

Enough peopling for today, methinks. Time to make like this #Spider and disappear completely, leaving absolutely no trace behind for anyone trying to find me. 🙃

(Mejor dicho: to go home and try to finish this last task before evening class. 🤞🏻)

Ohhh! With the laptop's return I can go work at the mall for a bit this afternoon, instead of being cooped up with my brain at home all day. :)

I love regaining a luxury I was clearly taking for granted.

#AmWalking, then
#AmWriting 🎉

All right, folks!

Here's today's review of COP28's opening days.

There's some contextualizing of the Sultan's recent remarks within a long history of such conferences walking on eggshells because they've been overrun by Big Oil.

Also? You get a taste of how Colombia's president both advances great reforms and also can't help but put his foot in it when speaking about them.

How can we ever tackle the #ClimateCrisis when we can't even say the words we need to at COP28?

https://onlysky.media/mclark/cop28-has-an-f-word-problem/

🧐 Now the important part: getting them out of my apartment before I eat them.

(Piece submitted! A very cranky COP28 news brief for you soon. 🙃 Trust me, I'd send you cookies instead if I could.)

Cooooookies! 😋

#TheReasonForTheSeason
#AnySeasonReally
#CoSoBakes

Morning, CoSo. ☕

Currently making cookies for a friend's birthday while writing about COP28 incompetence. (The dough is chilling; I am not.)

I *should* be making bread, because the dough work is much better for getting one's frustration out, but, eh - we'll make do. 😉

Seriously, though: I often take a little while to reply when someone says or does something kind. That's not me fishing for more compliments, or acting like the compliment is no big deal. I just need time to process when people are nice with no ulterior motive.

So, as ever: a very warm & fierce thank you to folks who have supported me so very often & in so many ways.

It has kept me here, & going, more times than I can count.

May you always feel so supported and *seen* for your work in turn. ❤️

Hot dog! 🎉

New paid subscriber today. I can never believe my eyes when it's someone I don't know.

A random person?
Reading my work just because?
And supporting it?

What is this witchcraft?

Then again, I'm also surprised when people I know read & support my work - WHY? But in those cases, I just assume I'm the human form of Toxoplasma gondii: I've gotten into your heads from proximity, like a parasite from cats, so it's really not your fault you've been suckered in.

#ImposterSyndromeForLife!

😅 Some days, when you review your writing, you find yourself quoting the classics to yourself.

Oh well. Patreon will be postponed a day (until I'm satisfied with the attached chapter, to be revisited after news work for tomorrow morning). For now I'm off for a walk to clear my hypercritical brain before sending off the first half of the novel to my beta reader.

I really have to get more efficient at all of this. Full MS should be out at year's end, to clear my slate for 2024. 🤞🏻

#DoBetterBrain

Woo!

Back on my old laptop. 💪

The only snails from here on out are the ones I choose to add to my daily workflow.

Like so--

1) Malaysian Fire Snail (best left in the wild; far too often pet-farmed)
2) Giant African Snail (the CHONK)
3) Orange Sulawesi Rabbit Snails (not to be mistaken for sea hares! 🌊🐰)
4) Red-Lined Bubble Snail (NOT a candy!)

1-4) All cutie patooties on one long fo-tooties.

And WAY cooler than all the "snails" I was dealing with these past two weeks. 🎉

#AmWriting #Nature

Okay, a "lighter" newsletter today--framed around Slow Horses, and discussing the challenge of living in a world where we can't always cut ourselves off from the people who do harm: in our neighbourhoods, online, and in our ethno-national demographics.

Commercial activism is important, but we also need the maturity to recognize that sometimes we *can't* as easily boycott and walk away.

How do we pursue societal healing in the spaces we're stuck with, as well?

#Humanism
https://open.substack.com/pub/mlclark/p/on-slow-horses-and-long-recovery

Coffee? ☕️🙃