Nonpareils - 10
Every ten years or so, the universe likes to pick my life up and shake the hell out of it like it was a snowglobe.
Lots of changes have gone down in the past few months and I’m in the process of processing and writing about them but in the meantime, here’s some cool stuff that I’ve loved lately.
Read:
This struck me for a couple of reasons:
I used to be a marketing manager and I didn’t make close to $225k
She’s an Indian immigrant who grew up eating chapati, bhaji, rice and dal every day and eating out consisted of Taco Bell or Pizza Hut - just like me.
Her family spends SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE AMERICAN DOLLARS on subscriptions every month. That is insane. I’m not anti-subscription - I have Hulu, Spotify, New York Magazine and I throw a couple of bucks to my favorite podcast - but this seems excessive.
Water ‘Recipes’ Are TikTok’s Latest Dubious Diet Culture Fad (Eater)
I am not a really a big TikToker but I am fascinated by weird micro-cultures. Enter WaterTok/HydrationTok. For the uninitiated, it’s basically white women (it’s always white women) filling up 40oz Stanley tumblers with a shitload of ice and water and then, adding a whole mess of sugar-free powders and syrups.
It’s right at the intersection of Mormon Mommy Blogger (aesthetics x no alcohol), eating disorders and the fact that I suck at staying hydrated myself so I’m fascinated. I texted my best friend about it - she’s bigger into TikTok than I am - and her response was, “I don’t watch WaterTok. I watch HotGuyTok.”
She’s always been smarter than me.
Welcome to Appalachia (Bon Appetit)
Being God’s perfect idiot, I had no idea that the Appalachian region spread into New York and Pittsburgh. Bon Appetit’s food-focused travel guide is a fascinating look at a sprawling region and all of the variances therein. I love Rick Bragg’s meditation on the humble biscuit. He’s been a favorite of mine for a hot minute and this piece is a classic example of his work.
Krew Da Bhan Gras (The Bitter Southerner)
I grew up in a heavily Punjabi neighborhood and while I am not Punjabi myself, I fucking LOVE Punjabi culture and wholeheartedly claim them as my own. Bhangra is a Punjabi music form but the Crewe Da Bhan Gras (get it?) in New Orleans is comprised of beautiful brown people from all over the subcontinent - the diaspora is varied, strong and welcoming above all. I’ve never had any desire to go to Mardi Gras but this might just change my mind. Laissez bon temps rouler and balle balle balle y’all!
Shotgun Seamstress by Osa Atoe
The fact that zines no longer exist is kind of a heartbreaker but this book is a cut-and-paste celebration of blackness, of punk and of feminism. Fuck, dude. I read stuff like this and it just bolsters my belief that women will save the world.
Watch:
Ryan Reynolds Birthday Wish to Rob McElhenney
Ryan Reynolds is a marketing genius. I’m down for pretty much whatever he creates and am trying to make Welcome to Casa Elder for Welcome To Wrexham watch parties a thing.
New Girl
It’s on Hulu now. It’s still my favorite sitcom, it totally holds up, I relate entirely too hard to Jess and God help me, I would date Nick Miller even though he is a total fucking disaster (he’s a writer who loves Chicago and has that sexy scruffy stubble. I’m a human woman, weak of flesh y’all)
Listen:
I mean, we’re all listening to this song on repeat, right?
Coco Chanel: The Nazi Who Invented Fashion (Behind The Bastards)
I knew Coco Chanel was a Nazi sympathizer but I never knew much about her life other than this. This is a fascinating (and hilarious) deep-dive into a woman whose genesis was basically as a Les Miz character and ended up being a Nazi collaborator.
Waco: The Inside Story (podcast)
I have been fascinated by the events that unfolded at the Branch Davidian compound for as long as I can remember. I started reading David Thibodeau’s excellent book about it but didn’t finish it before it was due back at the library (support your local library!) but luckily, there is an excellent podcast featuring not only Thibodeau but Heather Jones - one of the 30 children allowed to leave the compound. It’s such a compelling story and I definitely recommend checking it out.
Eat/Drink:
It’s a dupe for Tacodeli’s Salsa Dona and I swear to God, I want to be buried in a vat of it so I can eat my way out.
The Tasting Menu at Ela Curry Kitchen
It tastes like home with a few tweaks. Like, my grandma would have never put beets in her bhel but it’s definitely a welcome addition. I don’t love the curries but who the hell wants curry when there’s ragda?
House Naan
My signature recipe is pre-made naan (for now; I need to learn how to make it) slathered with homemade cilantro chutney and topped with smoked Gouda and fresh jalapeños. It’s really good with TJ’s jalapeño sauce.
They’ve opened up a new location on Belvedere. I want to falafel their chipotle chickpeas and make tacos out of that. Serve that up with crispy onions, Valentina aioli and guacamole and it would be magical. They ran out of pupusas by the time we got there but that’s the plan for my next visit. Super convenient location and a cool outdoor space where Will could run around and cause ruckus in between bites of carne asada.
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
Another “House” recipe that’s basically just Gobi Masala. I sauté onions with cumin, mustard seeds and turmeric. Throw in some minced garlic and chopped jalapeños. Add cauliflower and cashews and serve with fresh jalapeños. I did a riff on it a few weeks ago where I prepared it like always and then, baked it with cheese. Definitely a winner.
Misc:
Joe Biden Arriving Onstage Outside St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland
I’m definitely to the left of Joe Biden and I’m kinda over the WWE-ification of American politics but I am a sucker for the Irish and Ireland and I love a good entrance (I may loathe the WWE-ification of politics but I grew up watching pro-wrestling and am a sucker for a solid entrance. I mean, no-one does it like Taker) so I kinda love this with my whole heart.
Diljit Dosanjh is the first Punjabi man to play at Coachella 2023
And he rocked the shit out of it because that’s what bhangra music does.
When we got married, John did a full baraat - came in on a decorated horse with the whole wedding party complete with dholi (and a visit from my uncles who told him, “Look, the family doesn’t need some drunk white dude falling off a horse and going viral on YouTube so be careful”).
He came into Punjabi MC’s Mundian To Bach Ke (which fun fact, has lyrics which translate to, “Don't just give your love to anyone, beware of the boys,” - which, my dude, seriously?), people lost their goddamn minds and from that point on, it was a party.
Our guests knew they were there for a good time, not a long time and they acted accordingly.
My point in all this?
Indian people are amazing, listen to more bhangra, support your local Indian restaurant and branch out from butter chicken and remember, this life is short and joy is fleeting so act accordingly.
