I’ve been watching a lot of TV lately, finally leaning into the whole unemployed thing. In particular, I’ve been streaming The O.C. and One Tree Hill because I wanted to listen to the companion podcasts created by cast members (Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke for The O.C.; Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz for OTH) - I’m a sucker for behind-the-scenes stuff. The podcasts are very different from each other. The OTH girls discuss the themes of each episode through a progressive, feminist lens. The way they talk about the show now also can’t be divorced from the context of the harassment and toxic environment they faced under the showrunner. Comparing it to The O.C. podcast, it seems like they had a pleasant enough showmaking experience so the discussion mostly revolves around technical aspects when they look back with the cast and crew. Anyway, I am enjoying both!
Watching all this TV from my youth makes me think of the articles I saw at the early phase of the pandemic — one example from NPR: “Returning To Old Favorites? Comfort TV (And Books, And Music) Is A New Trend” — about why we turn to old shows. In the face of all this uncertainty, we seek comfort in familiarity. I’m revisiting my fond feelings for certain characters and storylines, and remembering how great these shows were in introducing music to us.
Honestly, things have felt pretty bleak. I went to the dentist today and we were chit-chatting about the Delta variant and she said, “Doesn’t look like things are gonna get better noh?” and I replied, “Not in this country.” It’s extra frustrating to see the rest of the world going back to normal, people taking vacations again, while we continue to rot. Now that I don’t have work to distract me and take up most of my brain space, I’m just @_@ all day every day. But a major plus side is that I’m not crawling from exhaustion every day.
Currently...
Reading Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin. It’s a Muslim and Indian-Canadian adaptation of You’ve Got Mail. Loved it! I also really enjoyed her earlier book, Ayesha at Last, which was a Pride & Prejudice adaptation. This book got optioned by Mindy Kaling so I’m super excited for the TV version.
Celebrating my first ARMYversary this week with In the Soop-themed macarons from Missy K Corazon. Just in time for the announcement of Season 2! Can’t wait.
Eating chutoro (medium fatty tuna) and otoro (fatty tuna) for my brother’s birthday. And Amber’s pichi pichi!
Seeing my niece Clara more than once this week <3
Reeling, still, from Jungkook’s birthday live. He sang so many of my favorite songs, and composed a song on the fly. I can’t rewatch it because it’s still too overwhelming. He really stayed on for two and a half hours just to hang out with ARMY.
Longreads…
The Roys’ Summer in Italy — Hunter Harris, Vulture.
I love this show and can’t wait for the new season! Coming next month, I think.
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Yours from afar,
Pinky