"Habit is the ballast that chains the dog to its vomit." —Samuel Beckett
To break free of habit and vomit gobbling, I engage in new hobbies and activities.
Taxidermy
Okay, listen. As a born-and-raised vegetarian, I feel like I've earned few points as a person who has never harmed animals because I don't eat meat or fish. If I want to spend those points one Sunday in Brooklyn by crafting a "miniature griffin," aka a mouse and sparrow sown together, well, what of it?
When the taxidermy began, we were offered gloves, but I declined. I massage the torso and caressed the feathers bare-fingered. It was like a 10th grade science class meets Build-a-Bear meets morbid fascination.
So far, I've got this griffin, a butterfly, and a bug. Technically, only the first counts as taxidermy (meaning "moving skin"); the other two are artistic entomological presentations.
Stand-up Comedy
I've always loved stand-up, so finally decided to give it a go. I took classes at the Manhattan Comedy School taught by Kate Rigg. So far I've composed two five-minute sets, both of which are fun and feisty.
What I've come to appreciate about stand-up, after practicing it, is the rigor, concision, and clarity of the form. There's a tremendous difference between "being funny" and "telling jokes." I've gained an adoration for the old-school one-liners, like Phyllis Diller's "The only thing I don't like about the office holiday party is ... Having to find a new job the next day."
Tactile Crafts
Since I've got a job where sometimes it feels like my face is about to get sucked into my computer screen, I enjoy tactile crafts, whether that's goldleafing, crafting a collage, building a Lego, or doing something else adroit with hands.
Floral Design
Yes, Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. But what if she took a class then designed the arrangement herself?
So far, I learned that there are three basic layers:
- Foliage (your greenery)
- Filler (gives volume to your arrangement)
- Featured flowers (these are your stars)
I've also been learning flower vocabulary—like delphinium and ranunculus.
Dax
In August 2024, my partner and I welcomed Dax into our lives. Enjoying time with this mischievous beast has been my focus lately.
Before getting a dog, I asked friends what it was like. They told me:
- It'll cost more $ than you think
- It'll take more time than you think
- It'll take over your life entirely for a while
- And nobody is more excited for you to come home
They were right on all accounts.
