Happy Friday!
Illustration by Lindsey Frances
Things that happened recently:
Yes, it’s cold: at least 20 people have died because of the subzero temperatures in the Midwest, the USPS suspended mail delivery in some areas, and here is the difference between climate and weather (Anyone Who Understands This 2020, please).
Praise Bhagwan—a movie based on the Wild Wild Country documentary about the infamous 1980s cult and Ma Anand “tough titties” Sheela is in the works.
A bit of sad news: a 22-year-old mother died after falling in a (non-ADA-accessible) subway station. And a bit of good news: this 11-year-old is making nursing home patients’ wishes come true, Julie Klausner has raised thousands of dollars for Planned Parenthood in the name of MAGA trolls who have been attacking her after former Ohio Governor John Kasich (and all-around garbage person) stole her seat on a recent flight, and I’m loving that formerly vilified women from infamous ‘90s scandals are finally getting to tell their stories.
Things to do in New York this week:
Saturday is Groundhog Day, but Mayor de Blasio won’t be attending the annual festival at the Staten Island Zoo because of the infamous 2014 Staten Island Chuck scandal.
Sunday is the Super Bowl, which I don’t care about, but I do care a great deal about Super Bowl snacks. Randy’s Donuts recently received a pretty drastic makeover for the big game, but I hope they return to their classic look soon.
There is one more week left of New York’s Winter Restaurant Week, which actually lasts three weeks.
Things I’ve discovered recently:
Dream job alert (“fasten your meatbelt” 😂 )
I recently finished this book, a surprisingly readable and enjoyable book about blood. This review in the New York Times says that the author, Rose George, “rips open her topics as if they were bags of chips,” and I’ve already put this book of hers on my library hold list. Speaking of books, here is an interesting look at how Instagram and Amazon have influenced book cover design, and the cover for Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale sequel, The Testaments, was revealed this week.
This is 100% what I imagine Mozart’s days look like when I’m at work.
January always feels like the longest month of the year, but we made it - Happy February! The weather here in the city is supposed to warm slightly this weekend and then it’s back into the 50s next week (where is our snow??). On Saturday I’m headed to Brighton Beach with some friends to fill up on hearty Eastern European foods (hopefully we can find this Georgian cheese bread). On Sunday my friend Trent has generously invited me over for brunch and I know whatever he makes will be amazing, so obviously I’m working hard on my winter body this weekend. I’m currently reading this book because it was recommended by my fantasy best friend, Samantha Irby—I love a good missing person(s) thriller but I hate not knowing the twists so I’ll either plow through it or flip to the end (I know, I’m a monster). Have a great weekend and stay warm!