Letters to the Editor
borinquena
Published Letters: 228 Editor's Choice: 26
-
The Happiest Baby on the Block
[Read the article: Welcome to the nuthouse]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I can't believe no one has suggested getting the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD. I got it when my son was six weeks old and kicked myself that I hadn't watched it sooner. It gives practical and easy-to-use tips for soothing babies. I've given this DVD as a shower present and everyone has said it was a lifesaver.
Also, regarding new mom groups, I personally found them to be annoying and not very helpful. There is a mothering culture right now that is so perfectionistic and clenched and unforgiving, and talking to other new moms left me feeling frightened and inadequate. The moms I enjoyed (and still enjoy) talking to were those whose kids were in their teens or older. They are just so much more relaxed about the whole thing. They'd tell me funny stories about their kids eating cat food or leaving the house and forgetting to bring the baby with them and it was great because I could see their grown kids and know that despite the mistakes they had turned out just fine.
-
Lovely writing
[Read the article: Could I quit the drinking but keep the hangovers? ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This was beautifully written. Nice job, Cary.
-
Read Into Thin Air
[Read the article: I only feel alive when I'm in danger]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer and then see if you're still interested in pushing your luck.
http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/199609/199609_into_thin_air_1.html
P.S. You sound depressed and seeing a therapist would be a very good idea.
-
One of Cary's best
[Read the article: I need a new dream]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So let's say the simple, basic, true thing first: You are suffering.
This made me cry. Nice job, Cary.
LW, I have no advice to add to Cary's response, but my heart goes out to you. You are extraordinarily eloquent in your grief.
-
Grant writing and other thoughts
[Read the article: How can I get a writing job?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I was a journalist who dropped out of the biz relatively quickly because the pay sucked, the hours sucked and the stress was crippling me (literally--I developed carpal tunnel syndrome and could barely brush my teeth). I'm now a grant writer for a research instution, get to interview scientists and doctors all day and write about their work. The pay and benefits are decent, much better than I ever got as a journalist. The hours are strictly 8:30-5:30, no overtime, no weekends. I could make even more money if I went to work for a big corporation like Kaiser but I prefer to stay in my low-stress, very interesting job.
All this to say that there are many options for writers outside of editorial work and if you develop a specialty niche, like medical writing, you will be way ahead of the game in terms of employability and income.
In my spare time I'm writing a novel. It's slow going, but I prefer to keep my personal writing personal. No pressure to spice it up in order to sell it. No need to compromise. My art and my income are completely separate and that's the way I like it.
-
Harvard not a happy place
[Read the article: Desperately unhappy in the top Ivy League school]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Everyone I know who went to Harvard undergrad was miserable for four years. It's huge and impersonal. the pressure to achieve is insane, and if you complain about it you're treated as a pariah because after all, it's a tremendous privilege to go to Harvard.
There's nothing wrong with realizing it's not the place for you and moving on. People behave as though dropping out of Harvard is a calamity, but that's bullshit (ask Bill Gates). The west coast has fantastic schools and you will indeed have that writing career you want if you're willing to pursue it--no Ivy degree necessary.
Another thing to consider: everyone who goes to Harvard or any other elite school ranked in the top 1 percent of their high school class. But the most people who get into those elite schools find that they are no longer the top dogs--instead they are little fish in a big pond. It's a huge adjustment to have to go from being hot shit to just average (or at least average in that environment). That's why it's important to establish an identity outside of your academic achievements.