Uncle Spike’s Steamy Summer Roundup

It’s too hot for me to fashion even a semi-coherent sustained rant this week. I’ve spent the past many days very actively tending to my mental health as the heat dome continues to bear down. I’m currently in input mode, not output mode. I’m sitting very still as often as possible. I am reading periodicals, listening to music, slowly digesting an audiobook about Buddhism, and watching music videos and a light teen drama series. 

Some of the stuff I’m taking in is enjoyable enough that I’ve decided to share it. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments. If this generates enough interest I’ll do future roundups. 

PODCAST

I think I have podcast burnout because I almost always forget podcasts are a thing. But last Saturday I caught a snippet of The Hidden Brain on NPR and I remembered how much I love that program. So I settled into bed with the dogs, got out my knitting and devoured two episodes. Turns out it’s the annual You.2 Series so the subject of both episodes was self-improvement: how to get out of a rut and how to better prepare for the future.

I know that many “groundbreaking” studies that sound so sensical now will eventually get debunked and bumped by whatever the next new thing is. Still, I enjoy listening to academics posit on why we do and don’t do what we do and don’t do, especially when they offer practical strategies for change. 

In the interest of combatting my heat induced borderline depression, I’ve been creating tiny changes to my routines because allegedly this can help de-funkify one’s mind. So I listen to these podcast episodes with hope—maybe real hope, maybe just the placebo effect of magical thinking. To be honest, I don’t give a shit what kind of hope it is at this point. Just give me something to hold onto until it rains. 

POPULAR CULTURE

I recently indulged myself and signed up for print subscriptions to VOGUE and Vanity Fair. For me it’s all about the tactile effects. I love riffling through those glossy pages especially this time of year when I can still remember buying that super thick back-to-school issue of SEVENTEEN in August and reading it on the beach— discovering how to turn three simple articles of clothing into THIRTY DIFFERENT OUTFITS!!— as summer wound down and school beckoned. 

There’s an interview in the new VOGUE with Zadie Smith and it is such a good interview. Made me realize I have not read any of her novels, which strikes me as odd. I am going to remedy that by digging into her new historical novel, The Fraud, which drops in September and then, perhaps, working my way backwards through her other works. 

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Speaking of new books, there’s a NEW BOOKSTORE IN AUSTIN! And oh my gosh y’all? It is where the old Speedway Post Office used to be in Hyde Park. It’s called First Light Books. I visited today and it’s just lovely. Perfect addition to the neighborhood I raised Henry in before it got devoured by the rich. 

MUSIC/VIDEOS

One thing that helps my mind heal is sustained laughter. But I’m a tough audience when I’m feeling down. So yesterday I was delighted to catch myself laughing pretty heartily. I was rabbit-holing some nineties music when I suddenly remembered one of my all-time favorite cover songs. William Shatner (with a special surprise guest) does an absolutely killer version of Pulp’s pop genius tune Common People. After laughing my way through the Shatner version I decided to revisit the official video for Pulp’s original version. It, too, made me laugh and laugh, though honestly the theme is sadly more true now than ever before.

And somewhere in all that I wound up re-watching a video I hadn’t seen in probably eight years— the band fun’s We Are Young. To my surprise, Janelle Monae shows up in the middle of that video, which I hadn’t recalled. How could I not remember JM? I fear this is proof of an aging brain. 

Probably it was the slo-mo footage in We Are Young that got me thinking about my hands-down all-time favorite music video EVER— Nobody Speak by DJ Shadow feat. Run the Jewels. Seriously, if you only click on one link here today, let that be the one. 

CONTROVERSY?

I’m going to curiously follow the story of this young man in Virginia who goes by the music handle Oliver Anthony Music. He made a music video—standing out in the woods singing to his dogs—for his song Rich Men North of Richmond . Seems it’s becoming a conservative anthem. Also he’s getting some shade for maybe shaming fat people and/or people on government assistance. Please Baby Jesus don’t let me get canceled for saying this, but that young man has a FINE voice. And yeah, maybe he could’ve come up with a line better than dissing those of us with higher BMIs, but I also think the line could be interpreted differently. Like, as a dis against all the processed food we, collectively, regardless of political party, cannot seem to stop eating. Selfishly, I’m hoping this talented young man doesn’t turn out to be a MAGA zealot, even if he seems to be a magnet for them. I really like his earnestness. And I like how he went from utter obscurity to debuting at #1 on Billboard this week—it’s fun how the internet sometimes really does level the playing field.

BOOKS

Just finished listening to the audio for Hila Blum’s How to Love Your Daughter, translated from Hebrew by Daniella Zamir. It was an uneasy read/listen. Blum’s writing is beautiful and textured and often starkly observant: “Worry is a straitjacket. So is love” The protagonist, our very unreliable narrator, tells her version of her estranged daughter’s childhood. Readers get to extrapolate the daughter’s actual experience from the unintentional clues in her mother’s story. As an estranged daughter myself and also a mother who wishes I could see my son more—the book gave me a lot to chew on. Probably save it for after the heatwave if you’re experiencing Summer SAD. 

Recently started Happiness, the book by Matthieu Ricard, the French monk I wrote about last week. My intent is not to cultivate happiness—whatever that is. But I did know I was overdue for a tuneup in Buddhist studies. Naturally there is nothing at all new in this book while, at the same time, it’s all entirely new. Gotta love those monastics. 

ON THIS DAY

On this day in 1952 Joe Strummer was born. Which makes today a High Holy Day for me. Today I listened to The Clash for hours. I’ll end this week’s installment by recommending another cover I love. Joe and Johnny Cash singing Redemption Song.

NOTES

Y’all, if you are able to subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year, I’d appreciate it. Another way to help is to share this if you like it. And one-off tips are always gladly accepted at Venmo: @spike-gillespie. All the money goes to help me keep the ranch running.

HYDRATE AUSTIN— if you have some old water bottles you don’t need anymore and you’re in the Austin area, I would love to come get them. I fill them with water, freeze them and hand them out to the people who live on the streets downtown near my job. 

Starting in early September I’ll be offering free ongoing writing workshops at APL’s Hampton Branch Library in Oak Hill. While it is totally free they do ask that you register via Eventbrite. These workshops are for adults. All levels welcome from beginners to seasoned pros. Come and discover the magical healing properties of putting your story down. 

Also starting in September my next Six Week Memoir Writing Workshop for Women at the Tiny T Ranch. Those run consecutive Tuesdays, 11 am - 1 pm. Space is limited. Cost is $150. Email me to sign up. Please help me get the word out.

Thanks for reading, y’all!