Essays, Lectures, and Rants : The Thoughts Of Elaine Barlow
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I have been thinking a great deal about my priorities. The world as we knew it is over and I have to decide how I want to spend my remaining time on and offline especially as my health gets worse.
I will be putting more focus on finishing the novel I have always wanted to write because I want to have fulfilled that one dream of mine before it is too late to do so.
I will finish my Jekyll and Hyde podcast but will not be starting any new video projects or finishing current ones except for Media Psykhe. If I have time to do (or feel like doing) a Jem video here and there or write reviews of audiobooks or other media, I will absolutely post them here as usual, but right now I have higher personal priorities.
I will also be getting off of most social media except for Bluesky and CounterSocial.
Take care of yourselves and those you love. Stay safe and stay strong. ❤️
Latest Writing
99.9% Excuses
There is no excuse for dysregulated emotions and choosing anger and hatred over logic, empathy, and reason. Stop making excuses and do the work.
250 Stories – Elaine Barlow
Part of the Hartford Public Library 250 Stories series, I discuss my early experiences with libraries, the profound impact the library had on my life, and my thoughts on creativity, trauma, and legacy.
On Rats and Truth
Truth is isolating. Truth is terrifying. Truth is painful. But the truth is: We can no longer live as rats. We know too much.
Audio Podcast
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 8 – Part 2
As far as I'm concerned, Chapter 8 is the absolute best chapter in the entire book. This is also where the story pretty much comes to a very abrupt end.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 8 – Part 1
It is a shame that the two people who have the most interesting perspectives in the entire book are the only two people to never have their stories told.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapters 6&7 – Part 2
This video goes into depth about how the story mirrors so much of the reality of addiction spirals and dealing with the breakdown of friendships.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapters 6&7 – Part 1
I decided to do these two chapters together because they are two of my favorite chapters and because the are very similar in feeling and foundation.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 5 – Part 2
Most people who make movies and adaptations focus solely on the final chapter of the book. The story of Jekyll and Hyde is not just the final chapter.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 5 – Part 1
This is one of the chapters that I kind of wish Stevenson’s wife had permanently destroyed. It’s the most contrived, forced, lazy chapter of the whole book.
How (Not) To Survive
Just because you CAN'T handle something, doesn't mean there is something wrong with those who can. Stop being the problem and become part of the solution.
Previously on Jem and The Holograms
More Videos!
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Dead Souls by Angela Marsons
I've been struggling with my interest in this Kim Stone book. I absolutely loved the first 5 books but white women writing about racism is ....
When Black Men Need Help
DJ Akademiks is UNWELL. He is NOT surrounded by people who make him feel supported and safe enough to be honest about his feelings. He needs help.
Happy Sugar Life
Happy Sugar Life makes me feel things you absolutely should never, EVER feel concurrently.
Know Yourself For Others
Depression isn't the opposite of happiness. The opposite of depression is EXPRESSION.
Monster Parent
This essay was originally part of ADRAMAOTAKU.com; an Asian Drama analysis and review site created by Elaine Barlow that ran from 2009 to 2011. I am watching a 704x396 .avi soft sub version of this drama. The RAW files are provided by XrayMind, editing by Phoenix, and subs by Haruspex. The quality is excellent and I commend Haruspex and Phoenix for their work on this drama. As with all of the material on this website, I wouldn't be able to…
Why I Don’t Discuss Media …
Once you've finished watching media you've drenched the entire experience in your own psychology and it's changed forever in a way only you can understand.