Weekly REPORT 1/27
I’m kind of losing it, attributed to job stress, Tr*mp’s presidency and my skin being really weird, but nothing I haven’t dealt with before. Most of it boils down to the same question: What the hell does my future look like? The next six weeks? Months? Years? I have no idea. My word of the day yesterday was circuitous which means a journey or path that is long and winding; it felt like a very relevant word.
I’ll be posting about men’s fashion week & couture soon, as well as what I’m loving for winter (mind you, the temperature is high 70s this week in Houston after it snowed last week). I need to start ordering books that I’m afraid will be banned, or just more difficult to get ahold of. Simultaneously, I’m on the hunt for the perfect large, black vintage leather bag that will fit my laptop but still look chic. In this search, Ebay has become my best friend. A bit scrambled, but again, what’s new?
Enjoy this chatty weekly report and stay playful this week!
READING
Joe Biden’s legacy of failure by Current Affairs: A detailed summary of the inaction of Biden’s presidency. Despite his delusional thinking, he is indeed not loved by the American public and his legacy will continue to be scrutinized well into the future. When the information is laid out like this, it’s unsurprising how he essentially primed the nation for the return of right-wing extremism at a national level.
“Today, as Trump is inaugurated for a second time, every wave of applause is Joe Biden’s legacy.”
The Militia and the Mole: Every paragraph in this article made my jaw drop even further. I think the fact that Williams was able to infiltrate so deeply within the Oath Keepers simply because he was a loner white man interested in survival in the outdoors should speak to how easily young and/or vulnerable men can become entrenched in these circles without even knowing. Sections 5 and 6 are especially interesting in regard to how these psychos are entwined within our government, the medical and educational fields, and the overall philosophy that drives these groups. A very long, very scary and very important read.
“Kinch introduced Williams to the group. “He’s not the feds. And if he is, he’s doing a damn good job.” made me laugh. “Instead, they focused on “marketing” — “So what buzzwords can we insert in our mission statement?” one asked — and on resources that’d help local chapters rapidly expand. “I’d like to see this organization be like the McDonald’s of patriot organizations,” another added. To Williams, it felt more like a Verizon sales meeting than an insurrectionist cell.”
I think the fact that they know how important it is to play into marketing to actively recruit, through less than subliminal messaging, is so concerning.
How the Altadena fires are impacting the Black families: First of all, the fact that this man Oscar Benn had 15 siblings is crazy town. This is a devastating account of a large Black family in Altadena that had a ton of property within the family that was supposed to be passed down for generations to come. It’s just one example of the many Black families that make up the fabric of Altadena now moving forward to rebuild in faith and community after the Eaton Fires. I really love the photography in this piece, it’s very focused and vibrant, showcasing the hope these families have for their futures despite the destruction.
“The houses that were inherited, that’s a deep well,” he said. “That’s the kind of thing that people don’t have, certainly not in Black and brown communities.”
EATING
Tony’s Delicatessen: Getting this sandwich was one of the few times I enjoyed living in the suburbs of Houston, rather than closer downtown. It was a mere 15 minutes from my house, and I think I paid $13 for it. It was so good and filling, but I didn’t feel gross afterwards! Mine had genoa salami, capicola, soppressata- the usual Italian filling situation. Definitely would go back because I want to try the meatball sub. 4/5 stars.
My mom’s dupe Chuy’s jalapeño dip: Grateful for my mother and this dip. I’ve been putting it on my fried eggs, eating it with black corn chips, I’ll probably put it on a sandwich soon or in pasta salad- the possibilities are endless.
PLAYING
Fred again… Boiler Room: I can’t believe I’m just now watching this set. Many call it iconic, a word I feel is thrown around too loosely, but I think the word is aptly used in this situation.
Keke Palmer, SZA & Issa Rae Hot Ones: I’m so in love with Keke Palmer, as everyone should be, and her speech coupled with the montage at the end had me in tears. They are the perfect trio, and I would hill to hang out with them.
OBSESSING
Set from Freya Mckee: The jacket is inspired by the typical fencing jacket silhouette and real ones know that my brother JT does fencing! It only feels fitting for me to own it.
Are We There Yet? by Kairo: This group is Nigerian born and Houston raised so when they popped up on my FYP a couple months ago, it felt serendipitous. I just listened to their entire discography, but their 2024 album is a standout. They just have that thing, that inexplicable magic that makes them feel new but also nostalgic and I really love them. My current favorites are Anybody Home, Special and Front Lines.
Damon Dominique’s week in Japan video: Of course I watch all of Damon’s videos, but I wanted to shout out this one because it was so funny and wholesome. The clips at the beginning with Damon, Misako and Paul in a flurry of giggles made me so nostalgic for abroad when my friends and I would be crammed in someone’s tiny room or piled on the living room couch just cackling hysterically over nothing. The 12-story stationery and paper store had me so overwhelmed and this video definitely confirmed that I’d be overstimulated in any sort of store in Tokyo because everything is speaking or buzzing or singing. However, it also reinforced that I must go to Tokyo at some point in my lifetime.
RECOMMENDING
Essence long-lasting waterproof eyeliner: I think this was literally $3 at Ulta and it truly is waterproof and long-lasting! Easy to use with a twist bottom, and the color payoff is great.
TREATING
Goodies from Pavement: I literally had almost this exact sweater saved from Lisa Says Gah (shown in first image) so to find it in real life was such a gem. The yellow and purple top seemed a little too on-the-nose Y2K for my taste, but when I tried it on, I actually really liked it. Excited to play around with styling so that it feels a little less juvenile but is still playful.
