Hey sorry I didn't post the other honeymoon installments yet. I was very busy having a honeymoon! Then about 48 hours after returning I got BACK on a plane headed to Indianapolis and then Ohio.
These were my first in-person speaking events outside of Seattle since February 2020. Wow. This thing that was such a huge part of my work life for so long just disappeared for two and a half years.
Speaking in front of a full audience in Indy was beautiful and so strange. I was speaking and could actually look out upon an audience and see the reactions and connections to my words in real time! It's wild how long it's been since I've gotten to experience that.
Everyone I met in Indy and Bowling Green was so kind. It is scary to travel America as a Black woman alone, but it was a really lovely experience.
And I must say I was thoroughly charmed by Indianapolis! Beautiful homes and neighborhoods that remind me of summers I spent with family in Kansas as a child, but with way more Black people! I really really want to go back.
I especially want to go to the Kurt Vonnegut museum there. They had an unexpected closure while I was there so I couldn't go. I've said before so you may already know, but Kurt Vonnegut is one of the most impactful influences on my life and career. Discovering his work, and that you could love humanity even while clearly seeing all of it's flaws, and that you could let it break your heart and STILL love it and know that it could still one day be so much more - that idea is what keeps me doing the work I do. Also, he was just a uniquely brilliant writer.
Even though I couldn't visit the museum, the airport had a lovely tribute to him.
Ok that's all for now - my pre-flight Xanax has kicked in so I gotta go! I'll finish my honeymoon blogs next week.
Busy, busy, busy (say the Bokononists)!
I’m so sad I missed you in Bowling Green---hope the honeymoon was lovely💕💕💕