I’m reading. I’m watching. I’m listening. But to what? You don’t want to know, but I’m going to tell you anway. Love Island hive, represent!

I’m reading…

As a Very Online Person, I am gobbling up all of the Bennifer content, including this piece from R. Eric Thomas in Previously On.

Speaking of pop culture, I’m realizing the intersection of nostalgia and pop culture is my sweet spot. It started when I read Tacky and it’s continuing with pieces like this from Anne T. Donahue.

I’m watching…

Love Island, UK edition. Listen, I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. Once a year, for approximately 62-ish hours, I fire up Hulu, remove my brain (and my feminism), and watch a bunch of 22 year olds gaslight each other while their butt cheeks are on full display. I remember when I was in my 20s I was always hesitant to wear a Halloween costume because what if someone started an argument with me and I’d have to argue dressed like Babe-raham Lincoln? But these women are out here, to use TikTok parlance, double-cheeked up on a Thursday afternoon, fighting over what appears to be a very unscientific measurement of heart rates. And the men? I’m sorry, lads. I was starting to think they weren’t that bad this season, but then I got to the pinnacle of every season, Casa Amour. IYKYK. Absolute chaos. I love it.

Also on Hulu, Everything’s Trash. I fucking love Phoebe Robinson. RIP, 2 Dope Queens! Phoebe adapted the show from her book, Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay. Only the first 3 episodes are available, but I watched them all and can’t wait for more. Even though I’m supposed to be done talking about what I’m reading, this show got a great write-up in NYTimes.

I’m listening…

Obviously I love Sam Irby and Lindy West. OBVIOUSLY. So imagine my elation at learning they were on Mark Bittman’s podcast (?). I mean, no shade to Mark Bittman, but listening to this made me feel better about my own podcast, in particular the editing. If anyone knew how hard we work on the editing for Ladyland you’d make me quit making my podcast. But not Mark Bittman! My man is out here leaving in non-sequitors and abruptly ending the episode mid-conversation because Sam shouts something like, ‘Shit, I’ve got to be on another call. Bye!’ It’s the energy I love from Sam and Lindy, but it was hilarious from the man who writes such thoughtful, detailed tomes like How to Cook Everything.

This is local to Nashville, but we have a new daily radio show called This Is Nashville and it’s a gd delight. Dislcaimer: I listen to it as a podcast. In the year of our lord 2022, I do not know how to listen to a live radio show unless I’m in my car, and actually, I don’t even know how to do it there because I have Apple Carplay. Here are my most recent fave episodes:

It’s for the birds!

Where the sidewalk ends in Metro Nashville

Hoofing It: Getting around Nashville without a car

P.S. This is potentially going to be a series. If you missed the first installment, you can read it here.

P.P.S. Yes, that is a picture of JLo reading my essay in the Scene. The verdict? She loved it.