Hi! Happy one-year anniversary to C-Ritically Acclaimed. On a SERIOUS note, this newsletter has been very special to me. It keeps me creative even during my off months, especially during the pandie, and keeps me connected to my friends across the globe (DC, Denver, MT, LA). It also allows me to show a side of myself that I realized not everyone sees since at first glance I come off as very reserved, quiet, stoic even. (I might have just made that up to make it seem like I’m misunderstood. IDK, I probably just come off as tall and a little nervous but nice).
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, would you do me the honor of sharing this with 5 of your favorite friends who might enjoy it?? Thank you <3
Anyway, back to regular programming. Many things are happening in my life as per usual.
As many of you know, my favorite salad of all time is the Chinese Chicken Salad from California Chicken Cafe. I was devastated to learn this week that this salad has1,500 calories. I think I knew this on some level but the hard facts are difficult to ignore. Yes, it does include pasta, fried wonton strips, and almonds but I really am going to miss not knowing this particular truth.
I tried pre-workout powder for the first time. I poured it in my drink before my 5:30pm workout class thinking it would give me some zest to get through the heart-pumping class. 8 hrs later I was still wired and singing Tik-Tok songs in my head and staring at my ceiling.
I put Enchanted and All Too Well by Taylor Swift on a lil playlist for when I walk around town and I think it’s changing the way I walk for the better. Especially 2 mins and 40 seconds into All Too Well (IYKYK).
I smiled for too long doing Zooms yesterday (I was being supportive and encouraging) and had to ice my face from the pain.
I learned that very successful comedians should not try their luck at Tik Tok because they do not translate!!! Tik Tok is for just looking unless you’re a regular gal in Missouri lip-syncing “I’d rather be with you” about her HS history teacher.
TV!
White Lotus - This is my favorite show of the year (maybe since Succession!) I absolutely adored it and the discomfort, the tiny little interactions between characters, the outfits, and the ambiance. Apparently, people who like reality TV like this show (makes sense) and Mike White the creator called upon his Survivor experiences while writing it!!
This Way Up- A perfect Irish dramedy! Many laugh-out-loud moments and many “I’ve tasted my own medicine and it is bitter” moments!
Ted Lasso - is cheugy now. Sorry!
The Chair- reminds me of my college’s (Trincoll.edu) English department and this group of people I hated, admired, and feared that we called The English Mafia, which was a group of professors and teachers’ pets whose lives seemed to revolve around the English Department, Chaucer quotes, and croissants from Peter B’s (the library cafe). As a B- student (who did read when she had time but she had a very strict bedtime of 10pm that she could not sacrifice), I was an outsider, wishing so badly to belong but also not wanting to belong at all because they were weird and annoying.
Truth be Told- so serioussssss but I like that it’s a mystery and revolves around a true-crime podcaster.
Clickbait- It’s the first mystery where I wasn’t constantly guessing who could have done it because I had no idea. There is a classic twist at the end.
Nine Perfect Strangers- knock off White Lotus! I know this isn’t fair to say because if it hadn’t come out the day after White Lotus’ finale, it would have been just fine. Nicole Kidman has a head-spinningly weird Russian/ Australia hybrid accent. I like Michael Shannon’s wacky Cosmo Kramer energy. I’m warming up to it but it still feels Old Navy to White Lotus’ Gap Tall Lady collection (IYKYK).
Lochness- Scottish mystery for those Broadchurch heads (it’s no Broadchurch but it’s almost Happy Valley)
Outer Banks- I watched one episode but it was so melodrama. In the first 20 minutes, one girl falls down a sewer drain, has 2 boys try to kiss her then reject her, then ends up in a gun standoff.
I also watched all the dating shows- Bachelorette, Love Island US, Love Island UK, F-Boy Island, and Bachelor in Paradise. Love Island US takes the cake! You’ll laugh, you’ll need rewetting eyedrops for your contacts when you accidentally watch 7 episodes in a row, and you might shed a tear! Bachelor in Paradise is looking VERY promising though. Everyone is letting loose. Grocery Joe is being a little too sad boy for my liking though.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills- Kathy continues to thrive and travel with her plug-in fan, Erica dramatically vacuums her own home in Hancock Park, Dorit is acting strange but I support her.
Movies!
He’s All That- This movie is a very fun product placement commercial. “I hate high school but at least I have Chik Filet, my Alo face moisturizer and Bose headphones with very high listening resolution!”
Zola- I enjoyed the glossiness of this movie but I thought that the Twitter thread it was based on was more entertaining.
Hydraulic press YouTube is a very mesmerizing place. I highly recommend watching.
Books
You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb- An LA therapist gives a behind-the-curtain look at therapy and the therapy that therapists need. There was a character named Charlotte who acted a little too bit like me but I confirmed with my therapist that she did not write this book under a pseudonym.
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard- Very clever quarantine mystery. A couple starts dating at the beginning of the pandemic, moves in together but they BOTH have secrets. gasp.
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz- I read on Goodreads that if you can suspend your disbelief, this book is really fun. Don’t think too hard about logistics and you’ll enjoy.
Ok thank you for reading!! TTYL!!