8 Comments

The games are running together a bit in my mind, which Moss would likely applaud. I had a few dreams over the past two weeks that left big emotional footprints upon waking even if they plot or characters seemed pure fantasy. I am trying to embrace that idea- that my mind might dream scenarios that prompt feelings or achievements that are something I might be lacking or needing to work towards. The ear worm one was an interesting idea to me as well. Sometimes I know for sure the song just came from a cartoon we saw. Sometimes they do seem to stick, just a line, like an endless mantra. Around the new year I had one stuck in my head, I finally did write it down because it reminded me of my word for the year. “Free your mind and the rest will follow.” I feel like that lyric on mental repeat might have led me to sign up for this read along in the first place! Some of the games do feel callously out of touch. Perhaps antiquated? Or a 180 from a female perspective (e.g chat up strangers… sure…). I LOL’d about pausing to reflect on a typo. I think my work day would be 2x as long if I went that route.

Expand full comment
author

The dream connection sounds good.... and good food for thought. You have a lot on your mind, and we often dream about the things we are mulling. Related? I hope the dreams lead somewhere helpful. I love that about the song!

As for typos.... you and me both! I agree that some of the games are puzzling. You put your finger on it, I think, with the outdated feel.

Expand full comment
Feb 19Liked by Amy Cowen

I had fallen off the wagon of reading this book a bit with a trip out of town last weekend and trying to read some other books with my limited time, but I am caught up to Game 9 and have some thoughts.

I see how Moss is tying all the games back into our dreams, our inner wisdom. The games tie back into our dreams often. This is something I haven’t been able to do.

About Chance Encounters: I just heard an Instagram story today about this very thing. In religious settings, I’ve been encouraged to look for these divine encounters as promotions to show love. I’m not one to naturally start conversations, but I think as I’m getting older I’m more willing to give a compliment out ask someone about their book (I did this at jury duty one time, and we ended up having a mutual friend who could see us on the CCTV in the jury room. Creepy, but he is a detective!)

About Soundtracks:

I have been noticing and tracking my wake up songs since 2022! My family thinks I’m crazy, an overthinker. I wasn’t looking for meaning in the songs, necessarily. I was curious where I was picking up my songs. Some are songs I heard snippets of on Instagram. Some are out of nowhere. A phrase spoken can make me think of a song and the next day I’ll wake up with it. My daughter says this is ADD and maybe she’s not wrong. But I love this part of me.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for sharing where you are, Jen, with these games and how they are striking you. I love that you track your wake up songs. Does that mean what's actually playing (like a clock radio) or the song "in your head" when you wake? Sounds like the latter.... and that's fascinating. I know you often post about songs, and it makes total sense that this might be an area where symbols arise for you!

Expand full comment

Of this week's games, the only one that really resonates with me was to listen to your inner soundtrack. This introvert would rather chew her own foot off than start a conversation with a stranger and whenever someone starts one with me, I am so awkward that they end it quickly. Slips of the tongue tend to go by unnoticed, but I will allow myself to pay more attention to them> Unfortunately, I didn't notice any this week.

I do, however, almost always take note of the songs that are rolling through my head. This week, our son got into some trouble with a friend and I have spent much of the week discussing the issue with my husband as well as the mother of his friend. The day after it all came to a head, I found myself singing a song that I is on my playlists, but hadn't heard in a while. There was a line from it that I found repeating in my head - "Why is this so hard? Why is this so hard?" and when I caught myself, it brought tears to my eyes.

Still searching for symbols and trying to stay open as we move into the next set of games.

Expand full comment
author

I'm laughing at your chew your foot off line. I am so with you. Great song moment this week for you, too! That seems like a really good example. I hope things have settled down with the friends, too.

Expand full comment
Feb 21Liked by Amy Cowen

Again, all of the games are really about the same thing: noticing. And I do notice. Every time I venture out, the Universe greets me.

This week, I went to NE Portland to attend an event about fermentation. The event itself was a bust; in the half hour I was there, no demo, no discussion. However, I did fall into conversation with a woman who was offering her salt to sample. She is from Portland but has moved to Sweden to be with her Swedish husband. There she co-founded a company that makes seawater salt. Some special process makes it super, somehow. Only $18 for 24 ounces.

Hey, it’s kosher.

It’s relatively easy for me to fall into conversation with strangers. Being a reporter means you have a reason to be asking nosy questions. Surprise! People like to talk about themselves.

The Universe had a special treat for me. On the way to the event, a crow flew over with something in its beak. It dropped it at my feet. It was a chicken bone. Now, that’s something to chew on! I didn’t touch it, but I took a picture. It may mean something, but what?

Salt and chicken bones! Bring it on!

Expand full comment
author

I'm glad there is such abundance! I'm sorry that the fermentation conference was a bust, but it sounds like you had a good conversation. The chicken bone though.... that's definitely out of the ordinary!

Expand full comment