HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM GAELYNN LEA
Hello, Friend!

I hope you're all doing well and staying safe! I was planning to write you a cheery New Year's Newsletter, but the universe had other plans, it seems. I just don't even know what to say about this week in America - it is quite ridiculous, saddening, terrifying, and frustrating. And the worst part about it (for me, anyway) is that situation feels largely out of our individual control. I called all my Senators and Representatives this week to voice my concerns (which gave me a tiny sliver of peace - highly recommend calling), but beyond that I don't know what else would help at this very moment.

Usually I'd be all about writing an essay with my thoughts (and I might do that eventually) but at this juncture I feel there's so much noise and so many opinions out there, I'm not sure it would actually help to yell into the internet void / echo chamber. So I'm TRYING (rather unsuccessfully, I might add) to focus on other things... to simply take the positive actions in my daily life that keep me healthy and better the community. What about you? How are you hanging in there?
JANUARY UPDATES:
QUARANTINE CONCERTS & PATREON ZOOMS
I wanted to send you a reminder that TOMORROW (this Sunday, January 10th) is another Second Sunday Patreon Zoom! This is a fun chance to get together face-to-face to hang out and chat - and it's EXCLUSIVELY for my Patreon Team Members! If you haven't looked into supporting my work with a monthly contribution at Patreon, you can do so here: JOIN MY PATREON TEAM!

This month's discussion topic is our relationship to disability, as well as the Disability Rights Movement. Some questions to think about ahead of time:

  1. What was your first experience with disability?
  2. How has your experience with disability changed over time?
  3. Can disability be an asset? What are some ways that disability can add to and inform our society & culture in a positive way?
  4. What is your experience with the Disability Rights Movement, if any?
  5. What are some things we should prioritize as a country, in our communities, and personally in order to realize Disability Justice, inclusion, and Disability Pride?

The Second Sunday Patreon Zoom starts right after my weekly Quarantine Concert ends, so 3:15pm Central Time (or 1:15pm Pacific, 4:15pm Eastern, or 9:15pm in the UK). I'd really love for you to join us - the last two events were really fun!!! You can get the link by joining my Patreon Team - it'll be posted in the most recent update.
And, as always, you're invited to my weekly YouTube show, Quarantine Concerts! They happen every single Sunday at 2pm Central Time (noon Pacific/3pm Eastern/8pm in the UK). This week's special guest is Ali Jafri, who is a friend I met in a roundabout way through the band Pigface. We'll talk about our experiences with Pigface, his life in Toronto during the pandemic, and his most recent film/music projects... Here's the link to tune in on January 10th!

And NEXT SUNDAY, January 17th, my special guests will be Jeff Tweedy & Spencer Tweedy - the father/son rockers from Chicago, Illinois! Jeff is best known as the front man of Wilco, but both of these humans are a wellspring of creativity, and I can't wait to have them on the show! They had to reschedule from their original date in December, and I am sooo excited to finally have them on as guests on my show... Tune in on January 17th right here!

ANYWAY, I hope to see many of you tomorrow afternoon online! Regardless, thank you SO MUCH for your support and caring as we start 2021 together... May each of us, in our own lives, take the actions necessary to make the world a more caring, peaceful, and just place. Take care this weekend, and keep in touch!!!

Love,
Gaelynn Lea