My feelings for this home in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles are not neutral.
One of my aspirations for this lovely long weekend: see Frances Ha
Based on Greta Gerwig’s recent appearance on Fresh Air, I’m guessing this movie is going to bring all sorts of feelings from my mid-20s to the surface:
I mean, I think when you’re in college, particularly, there’s not a lot of boundaries. And you leave your family, and then you go instantly form a new family of friends, and then that carries on into your early and mid-20s. And then, suddenly, when people start coupling off in a very serious way or choosing - rightly choosing selfish things over groupthink at that point in life, if you’re not there yet, it’s traumatic, because you’re watching these people around you make decisions for themselves and what they need, as opposed to what is the group doing.
Additionally, I’ve listening to Bowie’s “Modern Love” on near-repeat. Killer “walking down the street” jam.
Recurring Developments: An interactive visualization of running jokes in Arrested Development
Study up before the new episodes hit Netflix this weekend. Luckily the forecast in Chicago looks superb for television bingeing.
Life After Life - Kate Atkinson
I’m recommending this, but don’t come after me and say “It’s confusing!” or “I am personally affronted by the ending”. This book has a complex narrative structure (better explained here) so if you like your literature linear, you will be annoyed. However, if you enjoy some jumping about in your stories (i.e. The Time Traveler’s Wife or After You’d Gone, my absolute favorites), then you can hang with Ursula as she battles the Spanish flu (or doesn’t!) or befriends Eva Braun (or doesn’t!). I’ve always been fascinated by the London Blitz during WWII and this book doesn’t disappoint with its depiction (though, warning - graphic episodes abound).
I’m recapping my weekend on Tuesday because 1) it was supremely satisfying and 2) this day is off to a terrible start (car repairs - stupid check engine light and upcoming Illinois emissions test). DEAL WITH IT.
Friday - low-key dinner at Parson’s Chicken & Fish with Natalie (and surprise run-in with Emily and her husband!). The Negroni slushie might get all the attention, but the Pompelmo Americano (made with my favorite San Pellegrino grapefruit soda) will be my summer cooler of choice in their huge (really, bigger than the restaurant) beer garden. Also, the fried chicken is really delicious.
Saturday - up early for my walk to Green City Market. Spotted that amazing lilac in my neighborhood. Blackhawks game (lowlight) before beating the rush at Hot Doug’s for late lunch with Tony. Beers on the Fountainhead rooftop before attending Jessi’s moving/birthday party. I know her new place will be amazing because her current garden oasis is idyllic.
Sunday - errands and iced coffee. Lunch in Little Italy at Three Aces before walking down Taylor Street to try my very first Italian lemonade at Mario’s. Surprised by the epic line and the real fruit chunks in each flavor. Yoga in the early evening and fruit crumble for dinner during Mad Men.
What’s cooking?
With me, it’s these three recipes:
- Pan Bagnat - this seemed like a classy lunchbox option for this week. However, I am aware of the fact that the scent of 1) pickled onions and 2) tuna may not be my officemates’ bag, so I will be enjoying this far out of others’ olfactory range.
- White Bean Tapanade - apparently, I’m craving olives. Sampling this after mixing it together yesterday merited an escaped “oh, wow” comment. I’ll be snacking on this with those little Whole Foods rosemary sea salt crostini I love so much.
- Blackberry Apple Crumble - this was super-easy to assemble, as you don’t even peel the apples (though, next time, I might). The addition of almonds and coconut to the crumble topping is a game-changer. I didn’t make the whipped honey marscapone yogurt topping this outing, as I wanted assurance of the recipe’s success first. Next time, I’ll take my game to that level.
After a bender of an evening (byob sushi at Yuzu, pineapple vodka gimlets at Matchbox, the company of these ladies), it took a certain strength to make it to Green City Market this morning. However, the promise of fresh lilacs and morels was in the air. Persevere, I must.
Here’s the before and after from today’s lunch. That toast can start working its magic any time now.
I was wondering...who do you think is the greatest movie villain ever?
Asked by
hellokatie
Why, Katie, I’m so pleased you’ve asked this question out of the blue, because I have an answer prepared:
Alan Cumming as Sean Walsh in the 1995 film (and sleepover classic) Circle of Friends. Observe how he oozes slime whilst drinking tea.
My reaction when an item is crazy-expensive: “Is it made of gold?”
These cheese knives are. (Okay, 24k plated, but still.)
I appreciate the cork carrying case. It validates one’s impulse to throw them in a bag, just in case there’s a wayward triple-creme that needs to be divvied.
I daresay, I deserve to know how these taste.
