First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Taking the Garbage Out

Welcome to my life.

Cartoon by Will McPhail for The New Yorker.  See others on the same theme here.

What’s Your Costume This Year?

Mine: Sweatpants and flip flops. Not really a costume. That’s what I’ll be wearing while sipping a martini in the comfort of home.

Illustration by Tin Can Forest

Resilience and Resistence

The etymology of the word, resilience, is the act of rebounding. And I think about that in my own life with its typical ups and downs. But also in a broader sense as I struggle with despair given the state of the nation. When I’m in need of a framework for resilience, I take inspiration from the suffragettes, who kept up the fight for generations. Surely, I can keep fighting through the next couple of years.

Tomato Chart of Change 2018 by Wendy MacNaughton

Believe in Yourself

Recently I wrote a post for my Career Coaching site about believing in yourself during a job hunt when no one’s returning your calls. I’ve decided to post it here, in case any of you are looking for work. But I also see it having relevance if you’re feeling frustrated by the search for a romantic partner. In either situation, it’s up to us to keep a sense of our value, no matter what the universe is offering up.

Illustration by Adam J Kurtz

Marry Me!

I couldn’t resits this illustration by Lars Kenseth. Fun fact: If you click on his instagram photo, he’s cuddling with 2 cats.

Who Goes First?

Driving through snarled traffic in L.A. brings out the worst in people. Let me say this in another way. It brings out the worst in me. Today, I was given the chance to be generous with a driver who was cutting into my lane to avoid a double-parked car, and it made me resentful. With hindsight, that seems ridiculous. As if one extra car in front of me would cause any meaningful delay. But still, I sneered. In what situation are you most etiquette-challenged?

Illustration by Jean Jullien

Let’s Dance

Whatever it takes to shake the blues away.

Illustration by Geoff McFetridge

Sweating the Small Stuff

I don’t long for a live-in partner.  I’m content at home with Rose, my dog. But there are times when I fantasize that someone on the premises could make life easier. This weekend, I tackled something I abhor, but know I must do. Changing the smoke alarm batteries. Years ago, after being awakened with that shrill beep while Rose panicked under the bed, I was determined to be proactive. Now the task is etched into my calendar for the first Sunday in October, at 11 AM, when I’m most ready to brave the top of the step ladder (given a fear of heights). Coincidentally, another odious task surfaced this weekend when I scraped the bottom of both my body lotion and shower gel, which meant I’d need to open two new pump tops. In the context of our national crisis, I realize this is petty stuff. But I found myself yearning for an extra set of able hands.

Cartoon by Teresa Burns Pankhurst for The New Yorker

Coming Soon!

Photo by Lucia Litman

Zen and the Art of Staying Away from the News

As regular FPS readers know, I’m a news junkie. This has nothing to do with the current political environment. Even as a child, I remember devouring the NY Times (our local paper) and doing the weekly quizzes. Old habits die hard. Today, in a rare show of restraint, I turned away. I just couldn’t bear it. My close friend who has Yoda-like tendencies texted that in addition to curtailing his media viewing, he “was trying to accept the facts as they are and consider that things will work out in the end.” Words I’m trying to live by. At least today.

Illustration by Lisa Congdon