Dear readers,

I deeply crave domestication. As the shame of relaxation hemorrhages and the pressures of higher education loom, I yearn for a repetitive, suburban lifestyle where “clocking out” often grants true respite. Leisurely trips to the grocery store, waving at my neighbors as I walk down the block, and blaring music on my drive to work appear as delicacies in these tireless moments. I just know I could pack a mean lunch and strut in carefully curated business casual. I look forward to upcoming holiday breaks to microdose a premature version of this peaceful lifestyle and refresh my stamina, but, in the meantime, I find solace in our writers’ pieces this week sharing simple moments and empathize with the not so simple ones.

In Feature, Samira describes the soothing joys of solving a crossword puzzle and a little bit about its history. In Narrative, Lynn recounts her endurance of allergic reactions to avoid missing out on sliced apples from her mom and grandma while Ben reflects on his accidental visit to Prospect Terrace during a time that was apparently a very popular time for dates. In A&C, Evan and Ellie conflict. Evan’s highly modern piece illuminates the theater kid to pop artist pipeline and Ellie’s historical piece describes the influence of ukiyo-e on European Impressionism art and their depictions of pleasure and leisure. In Lifestyle, Katherine writes about excellence, competition, and striving to be the first, while Daphne reflects on her dad’s love through generosity and attentiveness rather than words. Lastly, (because it’s his last crossword) Will created a Thayer St. themed crossword!

Don’t get me wrong, I hope to never work a nine to five office job (unless it’s the post- office ofc). However, a bit of routine and compartmentalization is very appealing right now. Our writers grow my excitement to travel home and ground myself in familiarity by celebrating the same way I have since birth. One day I will have the chance to settle down and relish in the consistent comfort of simplicity and, hopefully, predicability. Until then, I wish us all the strength to power through the rest of the semester.

Clocking out,
Elijah Puente
Arts & Culture Managing Editor