Sunday News #20
Feeling
I’m feeling sad and angry that we’re dealing with yet another mass shooting in an elementary school and not even a fortnight after what happened in Buffalo. I grew up around guns. My dad had a cabinet full of rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and other handguns. They were always under lock and key and I never knew where that key was. I have so many fond memories of going out shooting targets with my dad. Even though every memory of my parents is precious to me now that they’re both gone, I’d give up the memories I have of shooting with my dad if it stopped these pointless, hate-filled, violent crimes. We are a country who values our guns more than our people. It’s utterly despicable. Guns aren’t worth it.
Yes, I know regular guns aren’t the problem. It’s assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons like AR-15s. I’m just saying that I’d gladly give up every single one of my fond memories with my dad to stop these shootings. Only military should have access to semi-automatic weapons and I think that should even be limited access.
Blogging
This week on the blog:
Reading
I finally read something this week. I decided to throw out my best-laid plans for May and read something I knew would grab my attention right away–THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood–and I wasn’t wrong (the link to my review is above).
I started reading WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens yesterday. I’d like to start reading THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW by CS Lewis today. Hopefully, I can finish both of those before Wednesday so they count towards May.
Listening
I’ve actually been listening to a lot of K-pop this week. It’s upbeat poppy nature is a great way to help pull me out of depression. Thanks to my friend Suey (It’s All About Books), I’ve discovered a new favorite band Onewe. My favorite of their songs I’ve listened to so far is “Montage.”
Watching
Corey and I watched the first two episodes of OBI-WAN KENOBI on Disney+ and they were amazing. The recap they did of the prequels before the first episode started gave me chills. I’m so excited to have Ewan McGregor () back as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen back as Darth Vader. I love them both so much!
Right after we watched the OBI-WAN KENOBI episodes, we watched the first two movies in the prequel trilogy. It was a lot of fun. We’re going to make our way through the main nine movies. Woo hoo! It’s like when I was a kid/teenager and I had Star Wars marathons every time I was sick and stayed home from school.
Loving
I love Oreo shakes with double the Oreo in them. I’m kind of obsessed with them right now. I get one at least two to three times a week. I think they’re my unhealthy way of dealing with all the stress I’m feeling.
Wanting
I wanted to drop my class this week because of anhedonia (diminished interest/pleasure in previous activities). I used the skills I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to fight the urge to drop out. For those wondering what skills I used, I used STOP, mindful of emotions and thoughts, check the facts, turning the mind, willingness, and opposite action. Needless to say, I’m still taking the class and I finished my homework for the week.
Needing
I need to channel my stress into more healthy ways of coping so I don’t end up with diabetes or gain a ton of weight.
How was your week? Anything exciting happen?
I can’t understand the mindset of people who think owning an assault rifle is a basic right. Those poor families. I am forever grateful that the UK has such strict gun laws, I’d be so paranoid about going anywhere if people were just allowed to wander around with guns.
Right?! No one needs an assault rifle except military and military only need them in very specific circumstances. It angers me so much that it’s even a debate her in the US. I’m glad basically every other country in the world have stricter, common sense laws regarding guns.
I hear you on the gun issue, and I agree. Ordinary citizens don’t need military-style weapons. And why not license gun owners the way we do drivers, with required training and background checks before getting a license, and periodic renewals (which should include a check into any history of violence, domestic or otherwise.)
I had not heard of DBT before, so I looked it up. It’s great that you were able to employ the strategies and skills you have learned so you could remain in your class, and remain engaged. Celebrate those mental-health victories!
I may have to break down at some point and get Disney+. So many shows I’m missing out on! Of course, I’m not that much of a TV watcher, so I don’t know if I would ever catch up lol.
I like your idea of tying guns to a license type system. I think it sounds like a good idea. Of course, there will be people who abuse the system. But, I think it would cut down on the problem we have now.
I was in DBT for the last year. I graduated a couple of week ago. It quite literally saved my life. Life is still a struggle and it’s now manageable with the skills I learned. 🙂
Both my husband and I got covid so that’s been my weekend. But we’re watching lots of TV. Haven’t gotten to OBI_WAN but will maybe tonight.
The shootings just make me so angry at this point. I know we won’t do anything reasonable despite having all kinds of controls on other potentially dangerous things – like driving, flying after 9/11.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
I’m sorry you and Kevin got COVID. I hope you’re both feeling better or don’t have too bad of a case.
Agreed about the shootings. I’m pretty sure nothing’s going to change. Everything else will regulated, but if it has to do with the second amendment, fat chance. 🙄
It’s unbelievably sad to hear about the shootings – there are no words…
I’m glad to hear you loved The Love Hypothesis though, and I hope you’re enjoying Where The Crawdads Sing.
Yay for Onewe, I love that band so much too! My favorite songs for the moment are Rain To Be and Aurora 🙂
Yes, The Love Hypothesis was so fun. I want to read it again, lol. And, I am quite enjoying Where the Crawdads Sing. 😀
I really liked “Rain to Be” and “Aurora” too. So far, I like every song I’ve heard by them.
I see so many raves about Ali Hazelwood but have yet to read anything by her. I’m not a TV /movie watcher but the Obi Wan show sounds good. I remember the original Star Wars movies (from the 70’s/80’s) fondly. 🙂
I’d love to read more by Hazelwood now. I really loved her writing. She did such a great job with sexual tension and banter between her two main characters. 😀
TV/movies aren’t for everyone. I’ve grown up watching movies and love them. I go through spurts with my TV watching. It all depends on how much I need to turn my brain off.
I can’t understand these mass shooting either! In my country weapons can’t be owned without a license and you get the visit of the police at home to make sure your weapons are under lock and key. And you can’t get your license without a visit to the doctor and he has to state that you are sound of mind.
This sounds very reasonable to me. I don’t understand why gun fanatics in the US don’t see that those of us who want stricter gun laws aren’t trying to take away their guns (except for assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons because no one needs those) and that we want reasonable measures like you just talked about to help prevent mass shootings.