Being Intrepid Amid a Global Pandemic

Being Intrepid Amid a Global Pandemic

Introvert Amanda
Activities

What does it look like to be intrepid during a global pandemic, when doors are closed, activities are restricted, and events are canceled? COVID absolutely has thrown a wrench in all our plans. I’m not discounting that. But I refuse to let this year go down in my record book as one I don’t want to remember. I refuse to let this year be only remembered for this one thing. I’m taking it as a personal challenge to be more creative. This is the time to be intrepid, my friend.

New Year, New Adventures, New Possibilities

New Year, New Adventures, New Possibilities

Introvert Amanda

I roll my eyes a bit in early January when the two sides of the To Resolve or Not To Resolve camp duke it out in the battle for our new year mindset.

I personally choose to use the time to set goals for myself. The time of year may be arbitrary, yes, but we do use a calendar, so why not use it? I like to look back over the year, take time to remember some of the things I did or experienced, and acknowledge the path I took to get to December 31.

Week 52: I Bought My First Home [Score +2]

Week 52: I Bought My First Home [Score +2]

Introvert Amanda
Activities

For nine years, I rented a small house from my parents. As responsible and flexible landlords, they gave me pretty free rein to make the house my own. They long encouraged me to buy the house from them, citing the tax and financial benefits I’d gain long-term as a homeowner. Then, this past spring, my tax return gave me a final kick from behind: some tax deductions really wouldn’t be a bad idea for next year.

Week 50: The [Salsa] Rhythm is Gonna Get You [Score +14]

Week 50: The [Salsa] Rhythm is Gonna Get You [Score +14]

Introvert Amanda
Activities

Dance—in a pretty non-traditional sense—has been a pretty big part of my life from the time I was 10 years old. Clogging, ballroom, salsa, and Lindy Hop have all been in my repertoire at some point, but not in the last several years. I missed it, though. When I discovered a local group teaching Rueda de Casino—a casual, street-style salsa danced in Cuba—I was intrigued. In this style, the dancers switch to a new partner every 10 seconds or so when the caller calls out your next move seven or eight beats ahead of time. 

Week 49: Active Citizen Participation in an Uncomfortable Climate [Score +5]

Week 49: Active Citizen Participation in an Uncomfortable Climate [Score +5]

Introvert Amanda
Activities

A few times during an active legislative session, the representatives for my county gather for “Legislative Breakfasts”—open meetings with the public. I made my first appearance with the encouragement of this project.

As I drove closer on that dark and cold morning, I pictured the scene in my head: I'd walk into a room with perhaps a dozen or so fellow citizens, and the organizers would greet me warmly because they would be so glad to see a new attendee. You can imagine my (pleased!) shock when I approached the venue and saw a parking lot overflowing with 200 or more cars.

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