My Torso is on Fire

By: Gabriela Yareliz

It’s going to be a rainy week. Today is the one sunny day, and I am grateful. You can just feel the March energy, even though it was freezing this morning.

I saw someone start their post by saying they feel like they are drowning (it was all on the luxury of pessimism) — poor woman, and I reflected on how I have felt these past days. Here is your PSA and reminder today— if you have a personal washer and dryer, you are BLESSED. We have machines in our building that are great, but I am pretty sure that in these past few days, I have been having an allergic reaction to someone’s leftover fabric softener. Sharing machines has its downside. My skin has felt on fire on my torso for three days. Today was no exception. I will grab a pen, highlighter— anything long and start scratching my back and hard to reach spots on my waist. This rash be damned. A plague on none of our houses! Sigh. (Yes, I am being Shakespearean with my pain).

The morning train was quiet. People were half asleep or maybe weird. (They are always weird— perhaps the word is “afraid.”) Every time we are on high terror alert, people grow quiet. They sip on their coffee and glance around. Iran weaves in and out of the mind and people’s facial expressions. Even the mentally ill are quiet.

I walked past a long line of people with blankets and sleeping bags outside. I had no idea what was happening. Someone mentioned it was auditions for the conservatory. At the end of the day, while fighting my way to the train station, I realized there was a premiere happening. The people waiting in line looked straight up unhoused. One man dropped his pants. I don’t know how that premiere is about to go, but it’s about to get interesting.

What else has been on my mind today? Emma Grede had a fantastic podcast episode on nailing interviews.

Andy Frisella said something recently: That he would trade spots with an 18 year old today with the access young people have to technology. When someone wildly successful says they would start again today, even with everything happening in the world, it makes you want to wake up and take advantage of everything we have around us.

I finished the book on Didon and Babitz. One of the main things that stood out to me was this quote by Lili Andlin, “Joan was a predator who passed herself off as prey.” It made me wonder how many people present like this. We all know someone like this. The irony is that as far as dynamics go, we (collectively) often behave in ways that allow these people to retain that power. The dynamic only works if you allow yourself to be seduced. Anyway. Food for thought.

Ok, I will leave this here. My torso is on fire, and I am approaching my stop. Go kiss your washer for me and have a gratitude prayer. Peace and love.