I needed to take a moment

Reporting on the world, even our wonderful Chicago world, is a big task. [READER]( The Daily Reader Reporting on the world, even our wonderful Chicago world, is a big task. Sometimes it takes more energy, time, and dedication to the work than any of us think we can muster and to be honest with you, dear reader, sometimes I don’t think I’m really treading water anymore. When someone suggested I take up meditation, and my immediate, loud, and sharp response was “Who the fuck has time for that?,” I knew that I needed to take a moment. Thankfully it’s conference and awards season, and the Association of Alternative Newsmedia is visiting our town this week. The Reader was proud to be nominated for seven of the 2002 AAN Awards ([you can see the full list of nominees here](. The writing, photography, and design that we received accolades for runs the gamut from an [in-depth look at dealing with recovery while housing is unstable]( to a celebration of a [beloved Chicago nightclub](. While it’s really nice to be able to pat ourselves on the back, it was personally a blessing to have a much-needed reminder of the importance of the work we do here at the Reader in the form of this reading list. And while I’m still on the fence about meditation as a personal practice (don’t worry about me, I have batting cages instead), there’s always time for taking in the wonderful work of my colleagues. Thanks for reading! Salem Collo-Julin Managing Editor Events you may want to check out Fri 7/22-Sun 7/24 [Gary SouthShore RailCats vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes at US Steel Yard in Gary]( Sat 7/23 [HotHouse’s 35th Anniversary jazz fest and celebration in Bronzeville and streaming online]( Sun 7/24 [Cosmic Country Cookout at Judson & Moore Distillery]( Stuff elsewhere I liked this week [New Yorker]( fave writer of mine, Hilton Als, writing about Jennifer and June Gibbons—the Silent Twins who turned to crime [Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint For Men]( (People! Don’t offer me a drink, offer me your needlepoint art!) Songs I listened to this week [“Strange Affair”]( (originally written by Richard Thompson) performed by June Tabor and Martin Simpson This version of [“Serious Drugs”]( BMX Bandits with Norman Blake singing [“Dill Pickle & Peppermint Stick”]( by Vernon Garrett [This column is about dicks]( On being attracted to people with penises and also being extremely not into penises by [Dan Savage]( [Bedroom-pop singer-songwriter Cuco keeps the good vibes flowing]( by [Noah Berlatsky]( 🎵 Are you signed up for our exclusive "Early Warnings" list? [Get "Early Warnings" sent to your inbox every Tuesday by signing up today!]( [Issue of July 7 - 20, 2022 Vol. 51, No.]( [Download Issue]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2022 Chicago Reader, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader, 2930 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60616