I would rather be writing with my typewriter, but one of the dials that controls the spacing of the lines in broken and I am too young and too impatient to figure out exactly how to fix it. A friend suggested YouTube videos. For all the videos there are in the wild world of YouTube, there must be one that shows me how to fix the dial thingy on my Olivetti Lettera. Writing with my computer is not terrible at the moment, I suppose, because it is the simplest (easiest) way to get my words onto my blog. Blog. Gross. Yes, I started a new blog. Gross. I cannot think or say or type that without throwing up a little bit inside. Anyway. Upward & onward. Maybe today will be the day, once I finish what I am typing here, that I will doctor the dial on my Olivetti. Not using that typewriter for so long is like not wearing underwear or not seeing the sun. It has been two months since I’ve really written with my Olivetti. Imagine two months without underwear & without the sun. Even those of you who (like myself) enjoy the occasional “commando” adventure, you would feel kind of inhuman (not to mention be way sore with chafing) by now.

I would rather be writing in a library or in a café or in a big lush auditorium or University corner. I am writing from a basement. From a basement stuffy, even with dehumidifier going full-blast, and lit only by luscious artificial bulbs. It is a short drive to the university from here, to the library and to the auditoriums, corners, spaces, halls. I have, however hardly the energy or the wherewithal to get myself to and from the bathroom. After just the first week of this Fall semester, my chronic illness symptoms have flared up and my immune system worn down. Today is a day best spent in stuffy basement. There are books here. I think I will survive.

So I am not writing with my typewriter, and I am not writing from preferred space. But I am writing. And sweet sweet victory that is!

I have been debating starting up a blog for quite a while now. A few years ago, I had a blog that was actually a reasonable success. I had a good following and I felt like I was part of a sweet, teeny tiny online community. That blog slowly drifted into abandonment. Here and now, I’ve decided to take blogging for a spin once more, on this squeaky clean & fresh site.

What is this blog about, you may ask? Well, time is really going to be the most reliable source for that question. But I can take a stab at it and say that this blog is about writing, everyday philosophy, and life with chronic physical illness and mental illness. Boom! You just learned a few facts about me. I am a writer and I do live with autoimmune disease, depression, and anxiety. I am a student (super-senior almost finished with undergrad), a musician, and one hell of a strong and persevering person.

I am also a perfectionist. This makes blogging a difficult task. This makes sharing any part of myself with the world a difficult task. But, again, here I am & here I go.

I am, alongside you, waiting with great curiosity to see what this blog will become.

Until next time—Nina@middle