Why now? Why you of all people? Why a newsletter?
Thank you for asking! The other day, as I sprawled across my couch and accompanying ottoman throwing blueberries across the room so that Poppy would chase them and stop attacking my feet long enough to let me watch the Top Chef Season 15 (Denver) finale, I thought, "I NEED to share my thoughts and writing via newsletter."
This newsletter will serve as a consolidation station for my fiction/satire writing as well as Top 5's of the month in each of my special pop culture categories. You will get a behind-the-scenes look at my hand-crafted C-ritically Acclaimed (tm) (I put the C in critically acclaimed, you see?) choices when it comes to TV, music, movies, books, and most importantly, photos of Poppy.
Whew, I only mentioned Poppy twice in my intro. I’m making prog!
August Writing
Below please find an excerpt from my most recent satire piece. You can read the whole thing on Medium. It’s a little clunky but fun.
My Quaranteam is Great, It’s Just… Kyle…
...Kyle walked in with his tousled hair, casual button-down, and freckled face and my heart stopped. “Hi Kyle,” I giggled.
That night we all held our chins in our hands gazing at Kyle. He regaled us with stories of travels to India, surfing in Australia, his favorite protein powder, what the beads on his bracelet mean. He explained to us the Stockmarket, what we should do with our savings, even how to make a house plant thrive. We were gripped, nodding, and smiling. He was telling us so much information! We all need information, don’t we? At that moment, we didn’t know anything and he knew everything.....
Pop Culture Top 5’s
The above is a photo of me in my role as a culture critic.
I will include a one-sentence description with each of my choices*. Buckle in!
*This month’s book category only includes one book because I only read one book.
TELEVISION
This category is nearly impossible to whittle down because I watch every TV show, but as a culture critic, I must!
I MAY DESTROY YOU, HBO- The title is I May Destroy You because it may destroy me :(.
TOP CHEF, Season 15, Bravo- Better than Survivor….
SELLING SUNSET, Season 3, Netflix- How DARE you, Davina?
THE FALL, Netflix- This is the third time I’ve watched the series all the way through—there’s just a je ne sais quoi I can’t put my finger on (Jamie Dornan).
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF __, Bravo
Beverly Hills- I’m on team Denise because of the Garcelle/ Dorit association.
New York- I’m concerned about Sonja.
Potomac- I would like to meet Monique’s bird, T’challa.
SONGS
MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING, THE CHICKS- I played this on a Bumble date with a guy from Amsterdam and he said, “This is like mainstream pop, no?” scathingly.
BETTY, TAYLOR SWIFT- Run don’t walk to 3:48 to when she sings “yeah I show up at your party.”
CYBER STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, RINA SAWAYAMA- a very fun, edgy pop song that, in hindsight, maybe I should have played on my date with the Amsterdam guy instead.
IT’S A WRAP, MARIAH CAREY FEAT. MARY J. BLIGE- I have been addicted to this song since 2014 because of the dialogue at the beginning, “I wouldn’t be a friend or even a fan if I didn’t give you the real.”
PYNK, JANELLE MONET FEAT. GRIMES- The best car singing song I’ve heard in YEARS.
MOVIES
I’m trying to watch more movies because I work in the “film” industry and probably should…
THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME- My face hurt from laughing.
SPINSTER- Adorable subtle Chelsea Peretti humor about why you can lead a fulfilling life while single (a nice watch after my failed date with Mr. Amsterdam).
DESPERADOS- Nasim Pedrad and guy from New Girl were a dynamic duo.
I USED TO GO HERE- Reminded me of being an English major.
THE RENTAL- I wish I had not rented the rental :(.
BOOKS
I know you all have been dying to see which book I read.
A GOOD MARRIAGE, KIMBERLY MCCREIGHT- I devoured this book in one day and couldn’t tell you a single thing that happened.
Poppy vs….
This month, Poppy spent a lot of time posing with the ottoman.
Thank you for reading my newsletter!! I will be back next month!!
-Char