When I got hit with a couple days of bad menopause blues this last spring, the thing that pushed me through it was watching British panel shows, particularly The Big Fat Quiz (of Everything and specific years) and QI. Their light-hearted, whimsical, occasionally bawdy, highly diverse comedy panelists helped buoy me when so many other things weren't working as well as they usually do.
Great photograph as the lede. The side-hill angle, her comforting hand on her donkey’s side does what a lede should do: set the tone and point toward some of the topic(s) to follow Throw in Spike’s slight toe-in pose and friendly little smirk and I’m ready to follow her lede.
Holy cow, this is a plethora of things to check out, thank you. Having just finished work for the day, I vibed with the OA song (though I didn't listen too closely, so don't cancel me either). I'll add one: a podcast called "Help Me Be Me" by Sarah May Bates. Helps me get through the rain often.
Wasn’t sure what to make of Rich Men North of Richmond. Musically it’s solid. Memorable melody. Great voice and guitar. Raw emotion. But the message is less obvious. Anti-Yankee (North of Richmond?) Populist (Rich Men?) MAGA? (Old Soul in a new world?)
So I looked for help. There is a sub-genre on YouTube which I’ll call Black People React to White Music. Basically, Black folks (usually young) listen to songs by White artists that they never heard before and provide their immediate reactions. They are often amusing, usually respectful and, more often than not, positive. Anyway just watched a couple of those videos focusing on this song and both were extremely complimentary. The consensus was that OA was keeping it real. The message wasn’t MAGA, it was class.
Oh, thanks. I need to check out that sub-genre. Reading your comment I realize I feel a little sad that I even paid any mind to the criticism of the song. I wish I’d just stumbled on it and had decided for myself. I do really like it, I love his voice, I love how stripped down it is. I’m suddenly thinking of my short lived relationship, Knoxville summer of 1988, with a guy who could sing incredibly. He turned me onto daily NYT reading. He was so interested in politics. Now I think he’s so far right that he makes Trump look like a socialist. But for a very long time we kept in touch. I always loved that about our friendship—we never let our different politics sully our deep love and respect for one another. I’m not sure that’s possible anymore given all the polarization. Something else I liked about Oliver Anthony, which might surprise you (and anyone else who knows me) was how he was described quoting scripture at a concert. I’m no fan of scripture but in the little I’ve read about this guy he does come across as a True Believer and not one weaponizing Jesus for personal gain. I am so interested to see what he does with his music and his career. He made me think of Willie and how Willie has a way of appealing to everyone regardless of politics. We need more of that. Ah yes, once again concluding music is the answer.
I also got a print subscription to Vogue! Did you get your tote bag?
I got a tote from VF and a little notebook from VOGUE. Using the former daily. Already misplaced the latter. I LOVE holding magazines in my hands.
When I got hit with a couple days of bad menopause blues this last spring, the thing that pushed me through it was watching British panel shows, particularly The Big Fat Quiz (of Everything and specific years) and QI. Their light-hearted, whimsical, occasionally bawdy, highly diverse comedy panelists helped buoy me when so many other things weren't working as well as they usually do.
Oh! I love Brit TV. I will check out BFQ. Thanks.
Great photograph as the lede. The side-hill angle, her comforting hand on her donkey’s side does what a lede should do: set the tone and point toward some of the topic(s) to follow Throw in Spike’s slight toe-in pose and friendly little smirk and I’m ready to follow her lede.
Thanks for following…
Holy cow, this is a plethora of things to check out, thank you. Having just finished work for the day, I vibed with the OA song (though I didn't listen too closely, so don't cancel me either). I'll add one: a podcast called "Help Me Be Me" by Sarah May Bates. Helps me get through the rain often.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out.
Me too! I want to create a Florida history magazine one day
Wasn’t sure what to make of Rich Men North of Richmond. Musically it’s solid. Memorable melody. Great voice and guitar. Raw emotion. But the message is less obvious. Anti-Yankee (North of Richmond?) Populist (Rich Men?) MAGA? (Old Soul in a new world?)
So I looked for help. There is a sub-genre on YouTube which I’ll call Black People React to White Music. Basically, Black folks (usually young) listen to songs by White artists that they never heard before and provide their immediate reactions. They are often amusing, usually respectful and, more often than not, positive. Anyway just watched a couple of those videos focusing on this song and both were extremely complimentary. The consensus was that OA was keeping it real. The message wasn’t MAGA, it was class.
Oh, thanks. I need to check out that sub-genre. Reading your comment I realize I feel a little sad that I even paid any mind to the criticism of the song. I wish I’d just stumbled on it and had decided for myself. I do really like it, I love his voice, I love how stripped down it is. I’m suddenly thinking of my short lived relationship, Knoxville summer of 1988, with a guy who could sing incredibly. He turned me onto daily NYT reading. He was so interested in politics. Now I think he’s so far right that he makes Trump look like a socialist. But for a very long time we kept in touch. I always loved that about our friendship—we never let our different politics sully our deep love and respect for one another. I’m not sure that’s possible anymore given all the polarization. Something else I liked about Oliver Anthony, which might surprise you (and anyone else who knows me) was how he was described quoting scripture at a concert. I’m no fan of scripture but in the little I’ve read about this guy he does come across as a True Believer and not one weaponizing Jesus for personal gain. I am so interested to see what he does with his music and his career. He made me think of Willie and how Willie has a way of appealing to everyone regardless of politics. We need more of that. Ah yes, once again concluding music is the answer.