It has been a whirlwind month over here, more so than usual. I am so exited that Hops baseball has returned for the season (and for good!) and happy that the nights are about to start getting warmer… This month my pop culture consumption didn’t hit a home run, but I had a couple good plays to share.
The (pop culture) highlight of April was seeing Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Live a couple of weeks ago. It was a SUPER fun show with some great SNL call backs (Weekend Update! Tim Meadows showing up at The Ladies Man!) and a lot of love for good female friendships. Grateful I could spend it with two of my besties!
Reading
We had a few warmer days in April and I was able to get some outside time to read and relax. I thoroughly enjoyed The Divorcées about a woman from Illinois who has to go to Reno to get a divorce in the 1950’s. It’s not a story I knew, about women who wanted to get divorce having to go to Nevada to establish residence for 6 weeks, but the book was fun and had some good adventures along the way. And don’t worry, I didn’t get any ideas.
I also listened to Reggie Watts audiobook Great Falls, MT. I forgot till the book reminded me that I saw Watts years ago when he was the opening act for Conan O’Brien’s Legally Prohibited from Being on Television tour. I am not a huge Reggie Watts fan, but like him enough that when I learned he was from Great Falls I wanted to know more. I really enjoyed the book and the stories about his parents and growing up all over the place but settling in Montana. Get the audiobook – he sings and does voices and includes some of his music. It’s fun.
Listening
I’m proud to say that no dead poets have been listened to in this house. Let me know when you find the one banger on the album and I’ll commit it to memory I promise. I have enjoyed Cowboy Carter and glad my brother gave me a heads up that Gary Clark Jr. has a new album out, Jpeg Raw, that has been on a steady rotation over here. Chris Stapleton was on SNL a few weeks ago which means he’s also back in rotation around the house.
I listen to a lot of political podcasts as I reference regularly. I recently listened to an episode of Think Out Loud from OPB where they interviewed a pastor in Brookings, OR (on the southern coast). The church sued the city so they could continue to serve free meals and provide services to people living on the street in their community. It was an incredibly thoughtful conversation about good people doing good in their community, and why it matters. There’s a lot of NIMBYism out there these days, and it was hopeful to hear this story.
Watching
My TV watching has been lacking lately. Besides Top Chef and The Amazing Race there’s not a ton of new that I’m getting excited about. Loot is finally back and I have missed Molly and her team of goofballs. I’ve started the new season of Extraordinary but need to binge that at some point when I have a bit of time.
I do want to give a shout out to Palm Royale. That was an epically terrible pilot that should never have happened with such an incredible cast. I remember finishing the pilot and telling my husband “meh, I’ll probably watch it while catching up on my iPad at night.” And I’m glad I continued because it is actually a great show, super goofy and quirky and some fantastic actors and over the top plot lines.
I still haven’t watched Shogun or The 3 Body Problem or finished watching The Regime. What are you enjoying? What are you looking forward to that’s coming out soon? (Yay Hacks!)
I been listening to TTPD and there are some great songs. Listen to Fort Night with Post Malone and watch video. I also like Florida, Alchemy and Who’s afraid of little old me!
Casual swiftie here…. So High School actually has a 10 things I hate about you vibe (in terms of sound, not lyrics). Her album is pretty good! Have you watched the Tournament of Champions? Lots of Top Chef folks there! A good background noise show.