Nonpareils - 9
Things have felt really hard lately and I am definitely burnt out.
I’m usually good at this. My cup doth not empty; it runneth over (usually with some sort of overpriced gin cocktail) and there is plenty to share but lately? It feels like last call and the bartender is nowhere to be found.
I’ll write about this in more depth later but right now, here are the things I love lately - small patches of sunlight which managed to filter through the gray.
I hope you like them as much as I do.
Read:
A Vegetarian’s Christmas Eve Pig Roast by Vanessa Garcia (Serious Eats)
A beautifully written piece about growing up in South Florida, the evolution of traditions and the people we become and yet remain.
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
My heart belongs to crime, noir and the pulpy poetry of hard-boiled detectives like Sam Spade.
“You always have, I must say, a smooth explanation ready."
"What do you want me to do? Learn to stutter?”
Chef’s kiss of a line there.
For a month every two years, my Twitter account turns into a rapid-fire stream of profanity punctuated by flag emojis.
Even though international football is problematic as fuck, I love it. I truly do. And I hate myself for it and how well sportswashing works.
But I grew up watching it. It is part of who I am. I can, to this day, joyfully yell the chorus of Paul Gascoigne’s number 2 smash, Fog On The Tyne.
As an Arsenal fan, I am truly ashamed of this (Spurs are shit) but as an England fan? I mean, it’s kinda up there with knowing God Save The King.
Being an England football fan is to know, in the marrow of your bones, that it’s the hope that kills you. And yet, every two years - we kindle that hope. We breathlessly watch that little spark ignite into a flame and we watch that flame get bigger and we think maybe this is it, maybe it is finally coming home after all these years…and then, we lose on fucking penalties because there is no God and ours is indeed a dark universe devoid of joy.
Anyway, read Brian Phillips’ piece on the how English football has changed dramatically since 1998, how Michael Owens’ goal against Argentina in 1998 was a golden moment - watch this video. He is so fucking fast and the goal is such a beauty -
and how since then, it’s all been downhill (oh, why? Because we lost on fucking penalties!) and yet, we still keep hoping despite the fact that it’s killing us.
Watch:
Wednesday (Netflix)
Like literally every other woman I know, I fell in love with this show and Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of the titular character. Into every generation, a bad-ass heroine is born. For me, it was Buffy and for girls now, it’s Wednesday Addams and that is a truly excellent thing.
Abbott Elementary (ABC/Hulu)
The best thing about Quinta Brunson’s smart, funny mockumentary set in an underfunded Philadelphia public school is everything. But the second best thing about this show is Abbott Elementary Twitter.
Case in point:
Love a good show, love a good fanbase. LOVE to see a POC woman doing so well and creating such joyful work.
Listen:
Florida Man Murders Podcast (Spotify)
My new favorite piece of media. This show makes both Mondays (release day) and my I-95 commute much brighter. It would be easy to do a podcast mocking Florida. LIFE is basically a podcast mocking Florida but the hosts are smarter than that and amidst the laughs, there is also a clever and thoughtful analysis of political and social issues. Check out the episode about the Ocoee Massacre. It’s fantastic.
Live at the Troubadour - The Horrible Crowes (Spotify)
Eat/Drink:
Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe Puffs
I mean this in the best way possible - it’s like eating super flavorful packing peanuts. Peppery bite from the black pepper, umami tang from the pecorino and a texture straight outta the UPS store.
Again, in the best way possible - this is “food” to eat when you’re sad and watching Sleepless In Seattle for the 86th time and crying about apple peels.
Spiced Pear Margarita at El Camino
