Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T 6/17
In case anyone was wondering, I’m currently getting my hair braided! Yippee!
READING
Gay love letters through the centuries: Read after watching the Nicholas Galitzine and Leo Woodall actors on actors (see my “playing” section) where they talked about Mary and George. I started Mary and George in St. Louis, but I don’t have STARZ and honestly, I wasn’t engaged enough to continue. However, the conversation got me curious about the real-life documents that were used as the foundation for establishing the relationship between James and George in the show. They were big gay and big in love- it’s very evident in the letters they exchanged. Happy pride!
AI is uses a shit ton of energy: I knew AI was horrible for the environment, but I didn’t understand how exactly, so I decided to look it up. Learned we are currently in an “AI summer”, although I’m of the opinion that AI isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so I think this summer will be longer than previous. But basically, the data centers used for AI and water for cooling it utilize an insane amount of nonrenewable resources. Yet another environmental sin that the earth, and subsequently humans, will have to pay for. Very informative!
Charli XCX and SOPHIE: I didn’t know much about SOPHIE, what she had done in the music industry, her relationship with Charli music-wise etc. so I read to get more context. Charli’s tribute to her in “So I” is so vulnerable.
EATING
Chocolate cake: Wanted to make this cake on Valentine’s but never got around to it. I used 1/4 cup less sugar and I definitely left it in for 2 minutes too long so if you use this recipe, take it out at 30 minutes. I topped mine with coconut cream, cherries and mint. Ever so slightly dry but oh so delicious.
Watermelon, lime, ginger water: Blend it all up with some water and then strain. Throw in some cucumber in the blender if you have it. Add agave and lime to adjust as needed and put it over some ice. Life changing. Thank me later.
PLAYING
Actors on Actors with Nicholas Galitzine and Leo Woodall: This was so fun to watch- they just like became best friends over the course of 30 minutes ugh. I was actually cackling out loud because they bantered off of each other in such an entertaining but genuine way. They grew up in nearby neighborhoods apparently but of course, Nicholas has the slight upper hand in my book because he supports Arsenal. It’s also fun because they worked on such different projects but have so much common ground. Would love to see them in something together.
The Loop by Jordan Rakei: I think I got recommended this album from Tiktok, as I do most of my new (and almost always amazing) music finds. It’s jazzy and soulful; his voice kind of reminds of Hozier? Give it a listen!
OBSESSING
Poolsuite FM: I don’t even know how to explain this website. It’s basically like this cool 80s designed website with a radio that has multiple stations. It’s from the sunscreen brand Vacation that apparently went viral for a whipped sunscreen. There’s also a little avatar you can customize if you buy the associated NFT, which gives you access to more parts of the website. I don’t know anything about NFTs and I’m pretty sure they’re bad for the environment, but I digress. I’m not explaining this website very well but please go play around on it. The radio station is superb- great background music for when I’m writing or doing other work. I’m majorly obsessed. As always, thank you Tiktok.
RECOMMENDING
How to manage multiple interests: Ties back to my worries from my second blog post. Helpful mapping tips and how to be realistic about maintaining multiple hobbies so that you’re able to spend adequate time with each.
Good on You: I was looking up a brand I saw on Pinterest using Good on You to check their sustainability rating. Wanted to share the resource because I’ve used it for so long and just remembered it. I think my closet at this point is 90% secondhand but if I’m thinking of buying online from a new brand, I try to shy away from brands that have the lowest rating unless it’s something I need for a specific occasion. Case and point, I needed a white dress for graduation so I ordered from Bershka. I’m only human and with items I really like and know I’ll wear for a while, I can make peace with purchasing from a not-so-great brand (likely Princess Polly, Pull Bear or Bershka.) It’s not possible to be a perfectly sustainable and ethical consumer under capitalism so I try not to beat myself up about the various non-ethical purchases I make. However, it’s really important to do what you can!
TREATING
Coastline Pizza: Coastline had been on my Houston list for a while and finally went Saturday! I got the Motherland which had tomato sauce, pesto, and then I added ricotta- it was delish. The staff was super sweet/chatty and Ashley became besties with the server who took our drink order. He also might have called her autistic? It was a chaotic experience but highly recommend and the cocktail I had was yummy.
Gold rings: What if I told you that one of the rings I got a couple weeks ago fell off my finger while I was shopping the other day… It was definitely a little small so I kept it as a midi ring on my middle finger, but it disappeared while I was browsing unfortunately. Ordered a new one! In size 9! Praying it will actually fit one of my fat fingers.
