Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Sharp Objects is written by Gillian Flynn, and it was published in 2006 by Broadway Books. Since then, it has become a limited series on HBO (I need to finally bite the bullet and subscribe to HBO — if for no other reason, I need to see if the limited series is even an ounce as good as the book). Gillian Flynn is also the author of Gone Girl, Dark Places, and The Grownup (which is barely over 60 pages).

I can’t speak for the other novels because I haven’t read them, but I will tell you with 100% certainty that Sharp Objects is one of those rare novels that will keep you up at night.

Stop asking creatives to work for little to no money

It’s May 2008. I just graduated with my B.A. in Professional Writing and Editing.

My job search is is bleak, and that’s an understatement. I’m dating a guy I cannot stand who really may have a football in his head as a brain. Every editing job I examine requires 5+ years of experience. I relax my shoulders as the light from the computer monitor seems to expose my thoughts: I am going to continue working at Dunkin Donuts for my “career” if I don’t get my shit together.

The regret settles in. Everything everyone said to me crashes like waves on the shores of the ocean on a windy spring day. You can’t do anything with an English degree. You have to start out on the bottom and can’t just be an editor. You have to move to get a job as an editor. All we have here are these little newspapers.

Fast forward to July.

Five ways walking a race will motivate you to get back into running

Yesterday, I completed my first in-person race since 2019. I realize that there have been races here and there since then, but I didn’t feel comfortable racing in-person until I was fully vaccinated. I was also freaking sick of virtual racing (does anyone else feel this way?).

So, I chose the Run Y-town 5-miler as my welcome back to racing in-person. This event is always organized, and the weather is almost always wonderful. Even with the course changes due to a sinkhole on the original course, it was a really fun day.

Here’s the best part: I didn’t run. I ran about two tenths of a mile total throughout the five mile course. And you know what?

My journey back to VIPKid

In 2019, I started teaching ESL to kids in China through a company called VIPKid. Immediately, I couldn’t keep up with bookings — parents loved me and I was so busy! Everything was going great, and then in classic Courtney fashion I overloaded my schedule. My poor time management did not mesh well with the companies cancellation policy: no more than six cancelations or no shows within a six month contract period (oh, and it was maxed at two-per-day, so if you missed eight classes in one day, it counts as two). VIPKid terminated my contract under this policy.

I was bitter. And right when I was about to apply to a different company, I logged into the VIPKid teacher classroom to get my certificates — that’s where a saw the new, cool orange button.

Tips for scheduling and receiving your COVID-19 vaccine

It’s official — I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Instead of trying to scare you with horror stories of side effects — of which you may experience NONE — I am going to give you some tips on scheduling and receiving your COVID-19 vaccine(s). And, bonus: There are links to data throughout. Yay!