Love is most certainly not Blind
But we are definitely living in a Black Mirror hellscape
If you haven’t watched the new season of Love is Blind- don’t. Or do, and then text me immediately.
I will never understand why marriage reality shows are a thing but the more we lean into the apocalypse, the more insane they get and, sure, why not. Marriage is a gamble anyways and dating is a death trap.
Which reminds me, watch The Tindler Swindler asap.
Some women think I’m crazy for warning them that dating is the fastest way to end up in the trunk of a car but then they tell me all about their carefully planned strategies to avoid getting roofied on a first date and the women they’ve had to save when they were bartending and I rest my case. It’s like I’m the only person who has ever watched true crime.
Speaking of crime, now that there is an Olympics-shaped hole in my life I’m trying to fill it with space podcasts and Cheez Its but what is life without monobob? This year’s Olympics was pretty wild because, first of all, China. And second, Russia, which apparently was just using the Olympics as a drug fueled prelude to invasion. Thirdly, way to go Norway. You just cannot beat a country that ice skates to school from birth, probably. America was fine. We’re not the best at winter sports. We invent the coolest ones (except ski ballet, which, I don’t know, maybe we invented. Probably.) but then extremely hip Japanese teenagers get much better at them very quickly. But still, it’s the Olympics, the best thing in the world. I’m already anxious for the next one.
Speaking of Russia, now is a good time to read The Man Without A Face if you haven’t yet. Masha Gessen is the only person I trust when it comes to Russia. Her and Richard Engel, the closest to James Bond that NBC is ever going to get. I also highly recommend reading a lot of Russian history. Russia is one of the top three most fascinating countries in the world and reading the history of Russia will really help you understand who they are now. I recommend October by one of my top three favorite living authors, China Mieville, who is a communist and thus very lovingly recounts the highs and lows of the great October Revolution, the Robert K. Massie The Romanovs Series, especially Catherine The Great, all of the great Russian literature (oh, Anna K), and then because you’ll be in need of joy and delight, A Gentleman in Moscow. That should keep you busy through most of WW3.
Watch:
Inventing Anna (Netflix)- Not because it’s good, it’s not. But because it’s just so wild that Anna Delvey actually did the things she did that it’s worth rewatching even in a bad show.
Ascension (Paramount +)- This Oscar nominated documentary is a really fascinating look at the lives of different classes in China. It’s purely voyeuristic with no description or explanation which is perhaps the best way to really experience this incredibly unique and varied and massive culture. Also watch the best documentary of the year, Flee (Hulu), the documentary that will probably win the Oscar, Summer of Soul (Hulu), Attica (Hulu) if you like being angry and sad. Also way to go Hulu with the docus.
All of the things I listed above.
Listen:
Wild Things (podcast)- In the last newsletter I recommended this Sigfried and Roy pod but noted that I hadn’t listened to it yet but it had to be good. I have now, and I was right.
Uncomfortable Conversations (podcast)- If you’re deep into cults then you’ll enjoy (maybe the wrong word) this podcast about the 3HO Kundalini Yoga Community.
King (Florence + The Machine)- Flo has a new single and it’s glorious. I am no mother, I am no bride, I am King.
Read:
High class con artist. So much for all that education.
Movie pass was once the love of my life. But no more. I’ve been burned once. I will not be fooled again.