Bodega cat illustration by Lindsey Frances

Things that happened recently:

Is there any better way to describe the current state of things than the Mars Rover’s sad last words, “My battery is low and it's getting dark.” Here’s a good visualization of how it’s spent its 14 (lonely) years on the planet.

This is a fascinating look at the science of addiction, written by a former addict turned professor of psychology.

Good news: Amazon has canceled its plans to build a corporate campus in Long Island City and we’re not sad about it. Bad news: it’s been a year since the Parkland shooting and nothing much has changed. Unsurprising news: Men are still trash.

Things to do in New York this week:

The Love & Resistance: Stonewall 50 exhibit opened this week (and runs until July) at the main building of the New York Public Library.

The H. H. Biddle House, a NYC landmark constructed on Staten Island in 1845, is having an open house on Saturday from 1-4pm, which is also opening day for their new exhibit, “Time in a Bottle, a rare collection of Staten Island’s historical past etched in glass.”

One of my favorite New York City parades—the Chinatown Lunar New Year parade—takes place this Sunday at 1pm.

Things I’ve discovered recently:

The latest additions to my obsession with #influencer culture: these destinations are being destroyed by tourists, why food made to be Instagrammed is problematic, inside the Instagram mafia, what not-to-do when photographing private homes and are we already post-lifestyle?

Interested in dinosaurs? Skip Jurassic Park (the book) and read this fascinating account of fossil hunters and the people who collect them (yes, Nicholas Cage and Leonardo DiCaprio are mentioned) instead.

A good (and sad) look at the history of prefab diners in Manhattan.

Depending on when you’re reading this, I’m either on my way to, or have already arrived in Mexico City! Upon returning from Egypt I vowed never to travel to a country where I couldn’t drink the water and then the next trip I booked was to … Mexico. But I already got my Hep A and Typhoid vaccinations out of the way for Egypt so I’m packing the Imodium and hoping for the best 🤞! My friend Francesca is spending six months in Mexico City and my friend Jim is flying in from California to meet us so I’m excited to spend a few days in the sunshine (highs forecasted into the 80s) with two of my very favorite people. I’ve been uncharacteristically loose with my itinerary for Mexico, so if there’s anything you think I should see—or eat, sans cilantro—let me know! I have a few posts scheduled for next week and some exciting news to announce next week, so I’ll see you back here soon—have a great three-day-weekend!

Happy Friday!