RPR 101: Rapid unscheduled disassembly
blueprint for the underground, depression real talk, skateboarding in Bolivia
SOMETHING TO READ
If the 23rd anniversary of the Columbine shooting, the downfall of BuzzFeed News, and the unveiling of DeSantis’ cute idea to build a prison next to Disney World is causing your brain to have a rapid unscheduled disassembly, don’t worry! There’s aways the option to shovel open the floor of your house and move underground.
At least, that was one option for a man in Turkey who accidentally discovered an entire subterranean city attached to his basement while doing a bit of reno in 1963.
According to Atlas Obscura, the vast, multi-story underground complex was 280 feet deep, could shelter up to 20,000 people, and included rooms for a wine press and domesticated animals.
How did they know pets lived there?! Was there a little ancient water bowl and remnants of a poodle-sized bumblebee costume left in the ruins??? THERE’S NO WAY TO KNOW.
Frank Jacobs has the story, and it includes a very cool illustration of what the underground city may have looked like filled with people around 2,000 BC: The Mysterious Underground City Found in a Man’s Basement.
SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO
Democratic Senator John Fetterman is known for a lot things: his tattoos, shorts and hoodies; dragging the reality T.V. doctor for his little crudités video; and flipping Pennsylvania Blue, among other things. But when Fetterman announced in February that he would be taking leave from the Senate while seeking treatment for depression, America got a new glimpse into the tough guy senator: a human one.
Fetterman is back at work now, and speaking openly about his challenges, hopefully further eroding* the stigma surrounding mental illness. He spoke with NPR’s All Things Considered about it recently: John Fetterman wants to "pay it forward" by speaking openly about his depression.
Around 8.30 the full brutality of depression is laid out bare, as Fetterman shares the heart-crushing moment his 14-year-old son Karl asked his dad, “Aren’t we enough?” 💔
If you need support, there’s help available. Text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line anytime.
SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO
I love everything about this Cholitas Bravas series from photographer Celia D. Luna. The images capture the joy and ferocity of indigenous women in Bolivia who are into extreme sports, including skateboarding and mountain climbing.
Luna is a Miami-based visual artist originally from rural Peru. Her work celebrates diverse cultures and powerful women, and this collection does both with absolutely unbridled color and wonder.
From Luna, who was raised by a single mom:
“Not too many years ago, the term ‘Cholita’ was a derogatory name for young Indigenous women. Nowadays, Cholitas proudly wear traditional clothing to break ethnic barriers. Being from a neighboring country where we have similar backgrounds; this hit a weak spot in my heart. I had to meet and capture all these ladies. And guess who I brought with me as my assistant? My mama. She immediately said yes to this adventure.”
RUN, DON’T WALK
That’s a wrap on issue 101, friends. Thanks for reading, listening, holding on. And thank you for celebrating our 100th issue with me a couple weeks ago! In case you missed it, I wrote a love letter to all of you to mark the milestone: For the misfits & unlikely optimists.
And in case you’ve been hiding out underground too, it’s time to emerge and get yourself to the market because it’s MUSCAT GRAPE TIME. Do you like little globes of honey that are the color of your cold, cold soul unthawing after a long, grey winter? Yes, you do. Run, don’t walk. Their season is short.
See you next week.
K.
*An Indiana University study analyzing national data from 1996 to 2018 showed that public attitudes around mental health issues are changing for the better. Learn more here.
P.S. Did you miss me and Keri’s photo essay in yesterday’s The Unwed Mother Agenda? I’ve got you:
