I’ve come to look forward to these monthly posts about what I’m into beyond travel because there’s so much more to my life than where I go, despite the fact that it’s something I love. It’s funny how many people respond with their obsessions or agree with mine! As with last month, I’m sharing the things I’m obsessed with at the moment. Thanks for following along! Be sure to share what you’re loving this month below!
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Reading
Continuing my deep dive into extremism, I finished the books Everything You Love Will Burn by Vegas Tenold and Sisters in Hate by Seyward Darby, borrowed from my library. Both are really interesting if you want to know what brings people into white supremacy.
But I also needed a palate cleanser. I’m currently reading I Might Regret This by Abbi Jacobson of Broad City fame. It was a slow start for me but now that I’m halfway through, I’m enjoying it.
To see what else I’m reading, check out my Goodreads Profile here (which is also my author page!).
Listening
I have been listening to a couple of one-off podcast seasons that I can get through in a few sittings. Among them is season 3 of Motive, a Chicago public radio production, that focuses on white supremacists like the ones I’ve been reading about. Season 2 is also incredible, telling the stories of sexual assaults during semesters abroad.
Two Minutes Past Nine is a hard look at the leadup to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and the connections with still-active white supremacist organizations.
I’ve just started Power: The Maxwells, which talks about the family history of Epstein partner Ghislaine Maxwell and the conspiracy theories surrounding his mysterious death.
And if you’re looking for a political podcast, Gaining Ground: The New Georgia talks about what went into the historic election in the Peach State and the years of behind-the-scenes work.
Watching
In the last month, I’ve quickly made it through some new shows including The Flight Attendant (loved it!), Dickinson (season 1 is better than 2), and, of course, Bridgerton (slow burn but enjoyed).
I’m also breaking it up with shows I’ve already watched like Veronica Mars and season 2 of Bonding, a comedy about a dominatrix. We’ve also made it to the point of the pandemic where I’m starting The Sopranos, which I never watched when it was on.
Loving
Starter 
Sourdough
I’m now a baking fiend. I got a sourdough starter for Christmas and have tried to use some every week. I’ve experimented with different types of loaves and also with discard recipes for biscuits and crackers.
I’ve also discovered a trail near my house that I’ve been exploring on weekends. It’s never crowded and runs alongside the river with murals along the way.
Working
This is usually a quiet time for work but thankfully I’ve had plenty. For HowStuffWorks, I wrote about Louisiana boudin and an Arkansas diamond mine. For Southern Living, I wrote about a Civil Rights legend and a cooperative farm in Americus, Georgia. My story on Knoxville for Fifty Grande was published in print and online.
I’m also working on some edits for my two big stories I’ve been toiling with for months. Hopefully, those will be published within the month!
If you’d like to see more of my work, visit my professional website, CarolineEubanks.com, for more information. If you got a copy of my book, review it on Amazon or Goodreads. Or you can sign up for one of my online writing classes.
Traveling
I’ve been working on a story for months, first pitching it back in June and working on it actively since maybe September. I planned a visit to a small town in South Carolina to conduct interviews for the beginning of the year, booking a hotel and taking all the precautions like masks and hand sanitizer. The day I arrived was January 6th and I spent that night watching the news in a hotel room.
So it’s safe to say that I had trouble focusing. I ended up completing my interviews early and headed home, making the rainy 2.5-hour drive and eating the cost of the second night in the hotel just because I wanted some semblance of calm.
I’m not sure what the point of saying this is, but I’ve taken some time to carefully consider where I go and what I write about. There will be some travel for me this year but only where there are mask mandates and where I can responsibly cover.
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