How do you talk about the things in your life when the world outside you is as life itself? When Las Vegas happens? Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria? Tom Petty? There’s the sense of urgency, to tackle the tragic; on Monday, my Facebook feed—an exquisite sample of how aligned I am with my tiny corner of the universe—was of three topics: Las Vegas, Puerto Rico and Tom Petty. The immediate shock of it all, in real time, learning about the man who touched so many of our lives with his music. The horror of waking up Monday to learn what happened at a concert while we slept. The continuing disbelief about the lack of relief for our island in the ocean, with all that water surrounding it (I mean, seriously, the things that come out of his mouth.) Monday, the refrain of “I don’t like Mondays” bleating in my ear. There is no respite on a Monday like October 2; no room for indulgence. There is room however for reflection. For hugging the ones you love. For being nice to people. For smiling at the strangers who pass you by. For returning an email, a call, a text. For courtesy. There is room to be human. And then Tuesday arrives. October 3, 2017. Another day, and in NY another crisp blue sky day. Walking through the streets of New York yesterday–my daughter’s Happy Book Day—my heart still heavy, I started to see, on my socials, a change in tone: a conviction to embrace life. My friends celebrating 20 years of Harold at UCB. My friends posting photos of their children. My friends supporting my daughter’s book Earth Hates Me. And I knew, I knew, that my Tuesday would be different.That I needed to commit. That I needed to stand tall. That I needed to not back down.

Ruby Karp: “High school is so weird because we’re experiencing everything for the first time, heightening our emotions and thoughts to extremes. Everything can feel like the end of the world. I wanted people to know that I’ve been there, too, without making them feel like I was trying too hard to make them feel understood.”

You can order Earth Hates Me here or walk into your local bookshop.

Mean Girls Day!

Sarah Silverman: “I was told: You’re only a real comedian if your material can be said by a male comedian and it still worked. I bought that. Looking back, it’s mind-blowing. I accepted talking about the female experience as hack.”

Love all around, Michelle Obama.

Samantha Irby: “I’m a person who just gets everything gross out of the way on the first date: discussion of fart duration, National Geographic tits, debit card that might not go through for my half of dinner since I have no recollection of having spent $375 on jellybeans in the week prior.”

I raise my middle finger to you too, you nudge.

And now have a laugh with Janeane Garofalo.

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