Monday Memos // 77

Listening:

"Burnin' Up" by Sonny Smith featuring Angel Olsen.

"L.A." by Amen Dunes.

Reading:

How Mathilde Freund, Vintage Dealer, Spends Her Sundays — "I use a cane now when I go outside. Five years ago I slipped in the apartment and broke my femur. It was on my birthday. I call him my boyfriend. I put him in the corner and he never answers me."

Ideal Travel Tricks — Our Highly Subjective But Very Smart Guide to Traveling

Watching ‘Wild, Wild Country’? Then You Need to See The Rajneesh Cookbook — it's called Zorba the Buddha, my friend's grandpa used to all me Zorba the Greek.

The Grub Street Diet — Author Jonathan Ames Adds Chocolate to His Vitamins When He’s Feeling Decadent — My favorite part: I should shop more frequently, but my problem is that I put it off, even if I’m starving. I once had a character in one of my TV shows say something like: “I don’t procrastinate! I just like to do things later.”

“As for what I eat, I would describe it as a ‘carb-free, somewhat tormented Paleo, bourgeois bachelor, Grey Gardens’ diet.” (photo by Yuri Hasegawa via nymag)

“As for what I eat, I would describe it as a ‘carb-free, somewhat tormented Paleo, bourgeois bachelor, Grey Gardens’ diet.” (photo by Yuri Hasegawa via nymag)

Craving:

In the name of health, I've been craving and consuming a number of smoothies and juices. I'm also newly enamored with Tangerine La Croix and cashew butter. Dates, rice cakes, spirulina powder, sweet potato hummus... my inner bohemian is showing.

I refrained from too much work grazing this week, but there also weren't many feasts up for grabs. I am jealous I didn't get to try this carrot cake that was raved about. I'll have to make it soon.

It's beautiful! (PHOTO BY ALEX LAU, FOOD STYLING BY CHRIS MOROCCO, PROP STYLING BY EMILY EISEN

It's beautiful! (PHOTO BY ALEX LAU, FOOD STYLING BY CHRIS MOROCCO, PROP STYLING BY EMILY EISEN

Wearing:

Weekend with my parents means a "shopping trip" to my storage unit. I've almost acquired all of my clothes and about two-thirds of my shoes. Exciting! Inspired by the few days in the 90s, I gathered a watermelon jumpsuit, various summery sundresses, sandals, trusty Keds, linen shirts, and eyelet-covered tops. I'm not really ready for the full-on heat wave, but I my wardrobe is. 

Wearing these loafers a lot.

Wearing these loafers a lot.

Watching:

I watched the entirety of the comedy tv series Alone Together. I wouldn't say it's brilliant, but it's an easy viewing experience with lots of actors and comedians I enjoy (Kate Berlant, Amy Landecker, Nikki Glaser, Chelsea Peretti) and subjects I relate to. Two millennials from differing backgrounds strike up a platonic male-female friendship as they seek to navigate the streets of L.A. These two best friends, Esther and Benji, try to navigate the vanity of the city while watching each other's backs but also calling each other out for nonsense. I like Ester's podcast too.

Want to see: Duck Butter (Alia Shawkat, Laia Costa, Mae Whitman. "Two women, who are dissatisfied with the dishonesty they see in dating and relationships, decide to make a pact to spend 24 hours together hoping to find a new way to create intimacy.") Madeline's Madeline (Helena Howard, Molly Parker, Miranda July. "A theater director's latest project takes on a life of its own when her young star takes her performance too seriously.")

"a low-budget improv vérité psychodrama" (PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL)

"a low-budget improv vérité psychodrama" (PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL)

Treasuring:

Snuggles: Weekend visits to my parents also mean squeezing in the most snuggles with my cat. As much as possible, I'd wedge my body up against his and rub his velvety little snout. 

Stranger conversations: I chatted up a friendly older woman in line for the bus. I told her my seating strategy (bottom level, aisle seat, left side). She appreciated my tips so we sat together. She told me a place to eat the best dumplings in Flushing, Queens and about her father's time at war. My favorite moment was when she was on the phone with her brother, who was picking her up in D.C. "I see a sign. I see a car. I see trees. Mile marker 92. Does any of this mean anything to you? I don't know where I am? Do you?"

BFF

BFF

Monday Memos // 59

Listening:

"Shelia" by Atlas Sound.

"Cathy's Clown" by The Everly Brothers.

"Kiss" by Scout Niblett (Feat. Will Oldham)

Reading:

When you want to do something that seems unattainable: A Story of a Big Dream and a Single, Small Step.

I love the Smarter Living section of the New York Times. From sleeping to running to hosting a party, they've got some good words/ideas to help out. How To Be Happy.

Poppy! (Illustration by Esther Aarts via nytimes)

Poppy! (Illustration by Esther Aarts via nytimes)

Craving:

Roasted squash, pesto on everything, Acme Bread (specifically the Cranberry Whole Wheat Raisin Walnut loaf), peanut butter by the spoonful, and microwaved chocolate mug desserts.

Thanks Mom and Dad for schlepping this from Berkeley! "The natural sugars from the cranberries and raisins make it a great choice for breakfast toast or mildly sweet snacks throughout the day. This bread also sticks to your ribs and keeps you feelin…

Thanks Mom and Dad for schlepping this from Berkeley! "The natural sugars from the cranberries and raisins make it a great choice for breakfast toast or mildly sweet snacks throughout the day. This bread also sticks to your ribs and keeps you feeling full and well-nourished for hours on end." (image via acmebread)

Wearing:

Back to my old habits, entering and winning giveaways, I received this perfectly funny and quite beautiful pizza pendant necklace from a favorite maker: Yellow Owl Workshop. It definitely speaks to my deep love of pizza. I love wearing it. 

They make so many whimsical designs. I have a cat and terrarium pendant, too. (image via yellowowlworkshop)

They make so many whimsical designs. I have a cat and terrarium pendant, too. (image via yellowowlworkshop)

Watching:

"Lady Dynamite." Maria Bamford silliness. "Series is based on what Maria has accepted to be 'her life.' The occasionally surreal episodes, refracted across multiple periods of the actor/comedian's life, tell the story of a woman who loses - and then finds - herself." So many outstanding comedians as guest stars. 

"She's Gotta Have It." I've watched several episode of the Netflix tv remake of Spike Lee's movie. It's entertaining, the music is great, there are some thought-provoking elements, and it's a little cheesy. So much of the dialogue is emoted like a spoken word performance. It can be really hilarious and a little cringe-worthy. I'll definitely finish the season.

I've been itching to watch some Christmas comedies like "Elf" or "Home Alone." I think a dose of Will Ferrell is always a good cure for the winter blues. 

elf-1200x640.jpg

Treasuring:

Cold weather. Snow! Boots! Hats! Scarves! Even if it makes my nose run, it's exciting to have some weather other than hot. I'm enjoying the slipper-centric, hot-cocoa-desiring briskness. Plus, it makes the holiday season feel more exciting. To wake up with snowflakes falling was such a treat. My cat has been tucking himself into my blankets at night and it's so sweet and cuddly.

This is my current and future self. (ILLUSTRATION BY KONSTANTIN KAKANIAS via nytimes)

This is my current and future self. (ILLUSTRATION BY KONSTANTIN KAKANIAS via nytimes)