Cecil Baldwin Fan Blog @cecilbaldwin-fan - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
Cecil Baldwin Fan Blog
@cecilbaldwin-fan
Night Vale Presents shows. Cecil Baldwin. Also Meg Bashwiner and other WTNV cast enthusiasm hub. var sc_project=11148001; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="c2f8b435"; var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://secure." : "http://www."); document.write("");
Updated: this is the review I wrote at Goodreads. Amazon wonāt let me write a review, because apparently my account isnāt verified or some shit.
I have followed Meg and Joseph's artistic careers for a while, both through Welcome to Night Vale and the New York Neo-Futurists, so I was very excited to read this book, and I was not disappointed. It was moving, it was funny, and it offered quite a few insights into Meg and Josephās personalities and their life together. Both are very intelligent and insightful, and obviously very much in love with each other.
The book has a lot to say about change and growing up, adapting to new things together, falling in love with each other all over again as you find yourselves in a new place. There are fights and difficulties, but the story is generally very joyful and uplifting. Fights are not described in too much detail, and happy moments are given more weight. I found it interesting that they often donāt mention the same exact events. A small moment that meant a lot for Joseph might not be in Megās story at all, and vice versa. This makes you think about memory, how our emotions shape the things we remember.
This is Josephās first nonfiction book, and while I found his writing moving and vulnerable, I would say Meg is the stronger writer of this format. Her bits were raw, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny. That said, Josephās recollections of his fatherās death are perhaps the most moving part of the book.
I felt a strong connection with Meg. Her painful relationship with her body was particularly relatable to me. She discusses her eating disorder, substance abuse issues, and insecurities about her body very openly. I also have an eating disorder and recognize that ongoing anxiety, as well as the negativity and hatred people throw at fat women. Joseph's kindness and acceptance of her body was something that made me happy; other guys could learn from that. But thereās something more to that feeling of connection with Meg, maybe just being a woman in this world. I recognized the fears when Trump won the election, for instance. When Meg said that living in a woman's body puts you at risk, I felt that deeply. I would be curious to know if a guy would feel more of a connection with Joseph instead.
There were a few parts I didnāt find it so relatable. For instance, I havenāt traveled much and have never been to the US. They talk a lot about very specific New York and New Jersey things, and I simply donāt have the frame of reference for those bits. Since I haven't gotten married, some of those thoughts felt more distant for me as well.
I found the earlier years were more interesting than the later ones, for some reason. Possibly because their relationship became more stable and they settled into a routine. However, Megās letter to their possible future child was a highlight. She is now expecting said child - talk about impeccable timing!
I was surprised by how little Night Vale stuff there was. I thought it would be this huge thing in their lives, but they talk mostly about the practical side of things, like the strain of constant touring. I started to question whether Night Vale was a bigger thing for me and other fans than it was for them. Of course, much of the Night Vale stuff was between Joseph and Jeffrey and Cecil, not between Joseph and Meg. That might be why itās slightly on the backburner. Meg also writes about her work with the Neo-Futurists, which I personally found very interesting. You donāt need to be in the theatre scene to enjoy these bits, but it probably helps if you're into art in general.
The main thing that I felt was missing were photos. It would have been nice to see Meg in the outfits she describes, and perhaps some early selfies from before the Night Vale tours. Joseph describes a specific photo in detail, and it feels a bit odd to not actually see it.
All in all, Iām happy they wrote this book and that I got to read it. Maybe there will be another book in the next 8 years. Night Vale fans will obviously get a lot out of this story, but I would imagine itās relatable for anyone whoās been in a long relationship, especially artists.
More personal thoughts under the cut.Ā
I realized I have a lot in common with Joseph. Iām anxious and messy, I love fiction, I get nervous and stressed about everything. In other things, Iām not like him: Iām not good at making big changes, I donāt have have great confidence in my work. Meg says the world would be a better place if all artists had Josephās confidence.Ā Ā
Despite the similarities with Joseph, I felt more connected with Meg. We definitely donāt have as much in common. Sheās neat and organized and wants to be in control. Iām messy and unorganized, and I like when other people are in control. Meg likes running and working out, I donāt. Meg loves to cook, I just love to eat. We do share a fear of change and a tortured body image.Ā
Meg says sheās been a size 6 and a size 26; Iāve been ca. size 20 for the last ten years, and never really lost weight. Iād like to say Iāve had it harder, with my apple shaped body and not-so-pretty face, but reading the book, I donāt know. I think sheās so beautiful, and she really doesnāt talk about herself that way.Ā Ā
Iām used to reading a story that goes from fat and sad and weak to slim and confident and strong, and I honestly hate that story and was worried I would have to read it in this bookĀ
The book could easily have been very triggering if she had chosen to do that. Instead, I found an intensely relatable writer who wrote about her body at various sizes with that trademark self-deprecating wit. Sometimes she mentions insecurities regarding her body, other times she says nothing at all about it. Thereās noĀ āthat year I was xxx pounds and then I went down to xxx pounds and hereās how I lost the weight and I feel great nowā blabla.Ā
I saw her use phrases likeĀ āfatphobicā andĀ āthin privilegeā, and referring to herself asĀ āfatā. To me, these are signs of allyship. Sheās obviously done some reading into the topic and given it a lot of thought. Her painful relationship with her body is something most women can relate to. Joseph is shown to be a caring and compassionate husband who has no issue with her changing body. (Her blonde phase, however...)Ā
They mention they think of Helsinki as an āexhausted cityā, because they were exhausted there. But I can say as a Finn that Helsinki really is exhausting. Nice to visit for a day, but wouldnāt want to live there. I was glad that there were a few mentions of Helsinki. Finland is never this exotic location that stands out, for anyone. Certainly not for people who have visited Australia and Hawaii. Ā
Thats about all I have to say today. Maybe Iāll add some thoughts later when I re-read the book. I just really wanted to post this today .
I hope itās OK to share a few pages of the book. I bought the Kindle version so I could read it asap, as opposed to 2-3 weeks from now, depending on when Amazon chooses to ship it to me. Am I too much of a stan if I say 5/5 stars, read it, itās amazing?Ā
I said Iād withhold my comments until later.Ā
But damn, I relate to Meg SO HARD with all the body image stuff. Itās very raw and honest and painful, like most womenās relationship with their bodies, and definitely like my own. I live with the same demons of self-loathing.Ā
Iāve noticed before that Meg has a lot of compassion for other women. While reading the book, I thought that sheās often compassionate to everyone but herself, something I can definitely relate to as well. Joseph is shown to be a supportive and understanding husband, something most cishet dudes could certainly learn from.
I've always found Meg relatable and empowering, and I know Iām not the only one. Pain can be empowering too, if you use it to be raw and honest and vulnerable in your work.Ā
I will never forget how seeing her tap dance on stage affected me. Like Meg, I had experienced a lifetime of fat hate. I felt broken and vulnerable. At that time, seven years ago, my fears and concerns regarding my body and how others saw me were only skin deep. Seeing a fat woman on stage full stop is something rare. Seeing a fat woman stomp all over the stage and take up space and make noise was amazing. Itās hard to describe what I felt in that moment. Some part of me that was always hurting suddenly didnāt hurt. I felt like a balm was being spread on my wounds. I saw a woman who was bigger than me, doing something I would be scared to do. She wasnāt scared. She was strong and full of joy. She was radiant. All the pain and shame about her body was set aside and gleefully stomped over.Ā
Maybe I put her on a pedestal then, but I needed it at the time. The feelings of pain are still there, but theyāre no longer right under my skin. Iāve come to terms with some aspects of being hated as a fat woman. Part of it is certainly from my boyfriend loving me as I am; part probably just from growing up - Iām over 40 now and I finally donāt give a fuck if some dude finds me attractive or not.Ā Ā
But I think Meg had a profound impact on me too. I would thinkĀ āwhat would Meg do?ā when I felt too ashamed to go out into the world. Meg wouldnāt succumb to the shame. Meg would go on stage in front of people and be herself.Ā
Like I said, some things have changed. Sheās no longer bigger than me and our bodies are opposites (hers a pear, mine an apple). We donāt look the same, but that doesnāt really matter. Weāve been hated by the world in the same way, and we still carry the same pain within us. In that, I feel a deep sense of connection to her and all currently and formerly fat women. We can be there for each other. There can be power in pain too.Ā
āCheck out @PlanetofFinks and @LadyBash on AM Northwest talking about their new book and their @Powells appearance tonight. https://t.co/uG6WKiUqRMā
And hereās another, moving and hilarious clip I forgot to post, about their first date!
Iām very impressed by these excerpts and very very psyched to read the book. I knew theyāre both really good writers, but damn, this is good stuff.Ā
If you (unlike me)Ā can afford it, you can get a signed edition here:Ā https://www.oblongbooks.com/fink-bashwiner
Theyāre also going on a virtual book tour, starting with Dylan on Tuesday. check it out here:Ā https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pp-live-meg-bashwiner-joseph-fink-the-first-ten-years-w-dylan-marron-tickets-148944004527
Hereās a sample from Meg and Josephās new book! Hear Josephās early touring memories and Megās thoughts on marriage. Itās really good, and Iām psyched to read the rest soon!
Iād like to withhold more comments until I buy and read the whole thing. I just want to sit with it a bit and maybe write an actual review on here. And also on Amazon and Goodreads, where it will reach more people. Iām not sure how many readers I still have on here.Ā
I've looked at the Goodreads reviews and it has a rating of 4, with only one 1-star reviewer complaining about anti-Trump stuff in the book (LOL what did he expect??) People mention that Joseph wrote about his anxiety and Meg discussed her body image issues, and since I have both issues, I think Iāll be able to relate to both of them. Itās probably going to bring up a lot of emotions, so expect my review like, in a couple of weeks.Ā
The book comes out on Tuesday the 11th. Only a few days to go!Ā
A new kind of current events podcast by Joseph Fink. An island in a storm of bad headlines. An experiment in public anxiety. Let's get through this year together.
Aww, Meg is pregnant!! This is great news. They will make good parents for sure. Kind, smart and openminded, all good qualities in a parent.Ā
I know almost no one reads my blog anymore, but I just wanted to register my happiness. I also wish to share with you this very lame pun that I invented in 2014 and never had a chance to use: Megās egg is preg. Get it? (My boyfriend pointed out that the egg isnāt pregnant but rather fertilized and implanted, but IMO it still works)Ā
Such joyful news. I wish them all the happiness in the world.Ā
A sometimes hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, and always entertaining joint memoir by Joseph Fink, cocreator of Welcome to Night Vale, and his wife, writer and performer Meg Bashwiner, chronicling the first ten years of their relationship from both sides. There are two sides to every love stor
āIn this candid, soul-baring memoir, Joseph and Meg recount their first ten years together, each telling their story as they remember it, without having consulted the other. We hear both sides of their first kiss, first breakup, first getting back together, the death of a father, marriage, international fame, world tours, mental illness, and discussions about having children. Sometimes, they recall things differentlyāneither agrees on who paid for the morning after pill on their first date. Sometimes they remember the exact same details in the same wayābut still have their own narrative on just what those details mean.ā
This is so romantic! A must have for all the Megseph shippers, for sure.
I love the concept of a real life love story told by both partners without consulting each other. I donāt think Iāve ever seen a book with this concept before. Iāve only ever read/watched 2-minute plays by Meg, so it will be really interesting to read her writing in a longer format. Meg and Joseph obviously have a very strong relationship, and the book might contain some good advice on how to keep a relationship going. Or it might just be specific to Meg and Josephās lives. Either way, I canāt wait to read this!Ā
That was awesome! They took the classic episode and turned it into a two-part live show. Tamika Flynn before the summer reading program!Ā Intern Dana before she was Mayor! Deb being all salty!
Iāve never seen Kevin perform before, since he never comes to Europe. It was a thrill to see his SMILE. (His face was probably hurting after the show!)Ā
Check out the show, pay what you want starting at 5 bucks.Ā https://noonchorus.com/welcome-to-night-vale/
September 24, WTNV will do a live stream ofĀ āThe Sandstormā! Thatās right, episode 19 (A&B), with guest roles written. This has never been performed live before. Featuring Kevin R. Free, Jasika Nicole, Symphony Sanders, and of course Cecil Baldwin and Disparition.Ā
Pay what you can starting at 5 dollars.Ā
This is so cool, I canāt wait! You can still accessĀ āThe Librarianā at the same link.
Check outĀ āThe Librarianā, up now! A lot of fun and also quite moving, itās all about fears and facing them. Up for a month, pay what you can 5 bucks and up. Much recommended!
The rescheduled tour dates are here! They will be coming to Europe in March-April, with the Finland show on April 1. (I wonder if theyāll do some April Fools thing?) 7 months form now, Iāll see them live again!Ā
Meanwhile, check outĀ āThe Librarianā today (or for us Europeans, tomorrow) here:Ā https://noonchorus.com/welcome-to-night-vale/
It was my first ever WTNV live show, and it was so much fun. TheĀ āCondosā live stream was epic, so donāt miss this one!
Get tickets forĀ āThe Librarianā live stream on August 20! 5 bucks or pay what you can. This is a great script and it will be a lot of fun, so donāt miss it! Featuring Dylan Marron, Mara WIlson, Symphony Sanders, Meg Bashwiner, Hal Lublin, Erin McKeown as weather, Disparition as the music, and of course - the voice of Night Vale, Cecil Baldwin.Ā
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