Fuck, I’m bloated and I just got laid off. Oh, and there’s a global pandemic. Or is it epidemic? What exactly is the difference? One would think that being the proud holder of not one, but two useless English degrees I would know, but I effectively find ways to skirt around the use of “effect” versus “affect” instead of having to remember which is which (see what I did there?).
Hi, I’m Shelby and this is A Trust Fund; yet another place on the internet to spill my secrets that no one will read. This was a marijuana-induced writing spree at 10:48PM while in bed (suffering from bloating obviously) under a mandatory shelter-in-place ordinance from the state of Ohio. Welcome to 2020, folks, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. Now, a few days later, I’m actually going through with finishing this piece. You see, having two English degrees allows me to have immense existential crises without there being a global shut down, but now, given certain circumstances, I’m more inclined to ponder on what variation of The Hunger Games this world will be in a few months. And this morning, I was laid off from my job (temporarily of course, but do I even want to go back?) so I needed to make some changes around here. What can I do to be productive while the world continues to burn, toilet paper disappears, Patreon and Pornhub memberships skyrocket, I figured why not do what every dumb millennial is doing and start a newsletter?
So to start the A Trust Fund off on the right foot, let’s all ponder a question together: Am I an asshole? I’ve wondered this question for a while—am I an asshole?—because, and this is a secret so shhh—I have a trust fund. While I’ve since been relieved of my working life, my very rich, very white father will support me (and my elder brother might I add) for the foreseeable future while we sort out our lives. Being 25 is a blast! I am not someone who is in dire straights right now: I’m healthy, I’m self-isolated from everyone, I’m eating shittily but also doing yoga pretty regularly, and I have zero purpose. Zero drive. Zero reason to keep waking up to the same news (body counts thanks to Covid; Trump doing nothing) to do the same things (play Animal Crossing or The Sims 4 or walk the dog). So I created A Trust Fund: a place for me to deposit and share my life and in return, withdrawal some trust from my mental health. Sharing is caring after all. I intend to disclose things I’ve been loving, my thoughts on Covid and losing my job, having nothing to do, and more. So stay tuned!
Welcome to A Trust Fund, I hope you paid in cash because there will be no refunds. I’ll see ya soon.
NEW SEGMENT! Shit I’m Loving
READ: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Bardugo freaking killed it with this book. I have read her other tales and while Six of Crows was definitely entertaining, Ninth House stands out for sure. Alex Stern receives a full-ride to Yale University after almost dying from a Fentanyl-overdose. She isn’t just there to get good grades, but instead to be the new Dante (a protege) for the Lethe House, the overseer of the other eight magical houses happening under New Haven’s nose. Alex can see Grays (ghosts), but what else can she do and why does Lethe want her? Support your local bookstore during this epidemic, but if you can’t find one online use Bookshop.com. Here’s Ninth House off their website. Down with the man (aka Amazon)!
WATCH: Escape from New York (1981). Looking forward from 81 to 1988, the world has drastically changed, especially the island of Manhatten. Now it is the United States’ only prison and there are no rules except sexy AF Kurt Russel must only speak 17 or so lines and wear an eye-patch. Oh, and his name is Snake. It’s a must-watch. Check out the trailer below:
LISTEN: And That’s Why We Drink. Like many other freaks, I love me some true crime podcasts, but I’m not loving most of them except for this one! Instead of solely focusing on true crime, one lovely host tells a paranormal tale before the other goes into the juicy true crime. Two of my favorite things! Well, wine is involved as well so really it’s my top three. I listen to them on Spotify (it won’t let me embed podcasts) but they’re on most platforms.
DO: Shop around on Gingiber.com! Stacie over at Gingiber is so inspiring and adorable. During these trying times, she too is putting out a daily newsletter (her’s is way better than mine) called Daily Dose of Creativity. If you’ve ever wanted to try some DIY projects at home or learn to embroider, you must check out her stuff. Also subscribe for her newsletter! It’s so cute and wholesome in this troubling world. And Stacie if you happen to read this, I adore you so much and loved being a part of your vision board e-course. Keep being an inspo!
That’s all for me folks! Here’s a few cool buttons for you to push.