My dearest readers,

I just got back from my jewelry studio class, where I spent over five hours sanding, filing, drilling, hammering, and washing my little metal box that has stains of badly-applied solder lining each side. I thought I would leave class with my project finished; shiny and ready for final crit next week. Instead, it’s only a bit more sanded, holds four new incorrectly sized drill holes, and has some pretty deep scratches on its corners. I, too, have two new scratches on my hands.

In short: it’s been a long day.

On my way over here, I ran into my friend, who had just spilled tonight’s dinner in her car. Her head was under the driver’s seat when I found her, searching for rogue leftover beans. After picking up a final bean, we let out a collective sigh. A very deep breath.

If you might also need a deep breath—a bit of respite from our busy weeks—I would like to point you to this week’s articles. In Feature, we have Ellyse’s beautiful words of friendship describe her dear friend crossing the NYC marathon finish line. Narrative has Michelle considering relationships with appearance, family, and media, and Ana asking us to embrace these slow and early days. We get a review of Adam Driver and his “camp-iness” in Megalopolis from Zoe, and Isabelle meditates on cannibalism as a metaphor within media surrounding sapphic relationships, both in A&C. In Lifestyle, Ishan thinks back to a 2022 bucket list, and Gabi ponders a relationship with time.

If, like me, you might need to spend many hours in a library, you have the chance to answer the big question I know has been wracking your mind: Which Brown library are you? Thanks to Michelle (our amazing two-time writer this issue!), I now know: I am the Rock, so you know where to find me tomorrow. To start off your study session in your soul-library, try out AJ’s crossword. I’m feeling proud of my 36 seconds.

This weekend I will head back into the jewelry studio with fresh energy. I will hammer with grace and ease. I will make sure to check the size of my drill bit before I use it. I hope. Before that, however, I will take a step back, recharging my metaphorical metalsmithing battery.

May our weeks be as productive as they are calm and centered. And to start that energy off, please enjoy our issue.

Beans have all been gathered,
Rachel Metzger
post-pourri Managing Editor