Today I am writing this from my sofa, and I can hear my neighbour, who in the last days has taken up the piano. I suspect this is a hobby reignition due to the current increase in restrictions. The other day I heard the piano being tuned, and today I can hear the strains of a sonata (?) I know well, but can’t quite remember the name. It’s melancholic and beautiful and soothing.
Right now in general I’m watching a bit of Gilmore Girls (which I realise is problematic for many reasons, but it’s weirdly nostalgic and autumnal), and have just had a delivery of British tea. It’s bright but cold outside, and I’m channeling Autumn cosy vibes. I’ve just splurged on a projector to make a home cinema, and am fully looking forward to munching on popcorn and Jaffa cakes with a film this evening.
First thoughts
You know how in the past - pre internet, maybe even pre-television - people would get their newspaper delivered? Maybe even just once a week, and get updated with what they needed to know. You could peruse it while you had your coffee, leaf through, skipping the articles you had no interest in. Once you had had enough, you could close it, fold it up, and off you went on your day.
Photo by Anders Nord on Unsplash
Of course I am idolising the past a little here (one which I’m not even sure I experienced, since of course TV changed things somewhat. But even still, TV news bulletins were restricted to certain fixed points in the day, not 24/7).
I do see a bit of a backlash against our ‘always on’ constantly connected selves of today. I see people deleting their social media accounts, or challenging themselves to stay away from it for a week, minimising screen time, muting notifications. I know this is not across the board, and in general we are all still as addicted as ever. (And right now the internet is helping us stay connected during these weird times.)
But I hope that this newsletter could serve to be that thing which sifts through all the noise for you, and brings you some of the best bits, allowing you to switch off otherwise. I like the idea that you can give yourself a break to relax and clear your mind from all the buzz and the constant news cycle. Then instead just wait for this newsletter, as if it were the Sunday papers landing on your doorstep, ready for you to browse through at your leisure.
I realise the newsletters have been a bit sporadic until now, they will become more regular soon.
Podcasts
The lovely, inspiring and genuinely fantastic (half French) Sidonie (who does very important work at Stonewall) suggested this pod to me when I was first moving to Belgium. It’s focused on feminism, and is in French mostly, but some episodes are in English. It’s been great for improving my French, but sometimes I just put it on and let the language wash over me while I cook. For English - I would recommend having a listen to the episode with Margaret Atwood. Although there are some (slightly funny) sharp moments where Atwood corrects the interviewer, it does give you a general feel for the podcast ‘vibe’ (and you can hear the gorgeous intro in French before the episode starts). Even though the episode is in English, the line of questioning and the way that the questions are asked are - in my opinion - still very French.
Katherine Ryan’s latest episode of Telling Everybody Everything
A Canadian’s hilarious take on the British class system, a bit of small town gossip (which always fascinates me as a concept, having grown up in a city), and general dead-pan dry humour which I definitely needed this week. Bit political this one, but I would recommend it for any non-UK readers (it’s a great explanation of UK social class), and for people from the UK - it’s going to make you want to shout “YES!! THIS IS SO TRUE!”. It’s on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Global Player, Google Podcasts, etc etc
Film
I watched this on Friday, and yes - I know this was made 10 years ago. Imagine very Wes Anderson vibes mixed with the Arctic Monkeys, and set in 1980s Wales. Lots of French New Wave references and dry self aware humour all over the shop. It’s light enough to serve as escapism, but layered enough to give you something to think about. I would also recommend watching this interview with writer/director Richard Ayoade.
To Read
I was buying a subscription for a graphic design magazine (Novum) as a gift, and I was reminded of Stack. It’s a subscription service where you get a different arty / obscure magazine each month. I’ve just checked, and they do international delivery too. I had signed up to it back in 2017 or 2018 I think, and really loved it. I stopped, as I kept moving around (6 addresses, 3 countries, in just over a year), but once I have a more permanent address I will most likely subscribe again. Some of my favourites which I received during my subscription with Stack were: The Gourmand magazine and Delayed Gratification. Talking of arty independent magazines, I’ve just come across Ash Magazine (via Instagram), and I’m keen to have a little leaf through that one too. Will keep you posted.
Not quite ‘to read’ but related to reading. If you use Goodreads, you might want to switch to Storygraph (right now you can only try the beta site). It’s a more ethical and more thoughtfully put-together version of Goodreads. This video explains it perfectly and includes a really lovely interview with the founder. If you don’t use Goodreads, and have no idea what I’m talking about here, then I would describe it as basically a way to track/log the books you’ve read, add reviews, see what others are reading and get recommendations for your next read. I have just signed up.
Dribble newsletter - Want a better remote work‑life balance? Start doing these 7 things
This newsletter is a quick read with light and helpful tips, and gorgeous illustration.
YouTube
‘School lies to unlearn in your twenties.’ by Leena Norms
This might be a bit of a shock to my non-UK / non-Irish readers, as I am aware school uniform either doesn't exist or looks quite different in other countries. Also of course school/education-culture varies a great deal across the world. I found this one fantastic, and a very good break-down of some of the toxic things we are taught in school and need to unpack a little. Her video ‘How do I plan for the future, when the future is in flux?’ is also fantastic and very relatable as well as helpful. I like the way she’s filmed it.
‘Queer Hollywood Arranged Marriages // Queer History 101’ by Jessica Kellgren-Fozard
Jessica is like a gorgeous vintage pin up movie star from times gone by, with a cut-glass Queen’s English accent. She is deaf (and often uses sign language in videos) and suffers from some other health issues. She talks about them on her channel along with lots of really great LGBT+ content. Jessica and her wife sometimes work together on videos (I really like those ones), and it’s just great creative, progressive and stylish content. This recent video on 'Lavender' (arranged) Marriages in vintage Hollywood is really interesting and well made.
Photo by Namroud Gorguis on Unsplash
Music
Iceland Airwaves are doing an online gig on the 13th & 14th November, which is ticketed, and of course won’t be the same as actually being there (I have wanted to go for ages), but it looks like a great line-up! Might be a nice thing to book and look forward to, watch remotely with friends or your ‘social bubble’, and just escape into gorgeous scandi music.
This is a relatively new radio station, and I’ve really been enjoying it. I have also fully embraced the cultured middle-aged posh person cliche (I am none of these things, I don’t think?) and have found that Classic FM has been great for relaxation and concentration. I listen to Classic FM and Scala Radio almost exclusively when I’m working these days. (I use their apps, which I find really great. I keep screenshotting tracks that I like). I got very emotional listening to the Seal’s Lullaby the other day, and also loved Elgar: Variations On An Original Theme, Op.36 "Enigma" - 9. Nimrod (Adagio). I realise these might be a bit ‘basic’, but who cares - they made me feel good.
Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen
Written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich, it was originally published in June 1997 in the Chicago Tribune. It then became the basis for this spoken word song by Baz Luhrmann. This is an oldie, but feels so relevant right now. I was listening to Desert Island Disks on BBC Radio 4 today, and it was one of the selected tracks. It caught me off guard. The section they played was this:
Don't worry about the future
Or worry, but know that worrying
Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing Bubble gum
The real troubles in your life
Are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you
Saying, don't be reckless with other people's hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind
The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements
Stretch
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life
The most interesting people I know
Didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
Of course it’s not high poetry, but I found it a useful reminder today. I hope it’s useful for you too.
Opportunities
Edinburgh College of Art Friday Lecture Series
ECA are putting on a series of lectures about art on Fridays (but they are recorded, so feel free to watch them on a non-Friday). The next one is on the 13th of November with Mauritian artist Shiraz Bajoo.
(This section will be expanded on subsequent newsletters)
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions at catrionamedia@gmail.com
(If you are nosy - like I am - you can find out a bit more about me here).
Until the next time,
Catriona
(🔊“cah-tree-nah”)