Saturday Media Diet
Happy Saturday, folks!
It’s been a bit, aye?
In the past two months, I have gotten sinus-y sick (twice!), went to Kentucky for a visit, and have been all over the city trying new restaurants, running, and going to work events—just being a lil’ busy bee.
When I opened my Substack to write again, I couldn’t believe that it had been two months since I'd written a post. Even my sweet grandmother was like, “Have I missed one of your posts? I want to make sure I don’t miss them!” The past two months have flown by (for me, at least).
But you know sometimes life is a lot—isn’t it?
I find myself, when I’m really busy or overwhelmed, sometimes straying away from writing. I find it to be just another thing to do. But I know it is only if I let it be. I always feel better after writing.
I’ve been ingesting a lot of high-quality content lately while I’ve been trying this new concept… relaxing? Not sure if you’ve tried it, but it’s a lot harder than you’d think, especially living in New York City.
I’ve started (and almost have finished) Severance.
And oh my gosh? It is incredible! I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to start it. The acting is superb. The set design is eerie and detailed. The storyline is relevant, terrifying, and painfully accurate. I love everything about it.
I’ve also been reading Matthew McConaughey’s memoir, Greenlights, and I’ve never loved or enjoyed a memoir more. I’ve not wanted it to end. He is an incredible storyteller and has lived a life, especially to only be 55-years-old. He inspires the heck out of me. His writing is so detailed yet so casually written—like you can hear him saying the things he’s writing. It is so raw you can visualize exactly what he’s talking about. And that’s my favorite type of writing.
I also, randomly, started Seth Rogen’s new show, The Studio, and it is fantastic in every sense of the word. It is a light version of drama mixed with hilarity, as it is about the very authentically portrayed film and television industry as studio executive. The set design feels very like a very modern take on the 70’s and I love every single second of it. The aesthetics are somewhat The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to me and, again, I love every second of it. It’s just a great show all around.
Even better, last night Andrew and I saw the broadway prequel to the television series Stranger Things—Stranger Things: The First Shadow. And to be totally honest… I don’t have any words other than WOW. We were captivated from the second we took our seats. It was electrifying. The acting, the production, the stage design, the music, the lighting, the writing—everything was fascinating, mesmerizing, and engrossing. I enjoy a good play, but sometimes I get that I’m watching a play feeling. But with this one, it didn’t really feel like a play. It felt like another episode of Stranger Things. But this time, I, too, was in the room, not just watching it on a screen. I want to go see it again over and over and over. For the first time in a long, long time, I left feeling excited, happy, and beyond satisfied with something I’ve watched in-person. Usually, I feel I am always so excited before I watch a play or a concert or a comedy show, but the second it’s over, I was very ehhh? about the whole thing. But not with this show. I am begging my two younger brothers (who are also huge fans of the show) to come to New York this summer to come see it with me. It’s mind blowing!
I’m also completely loving Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s new album, I Said I Loved You First and Miley Cyrus’ new songs in preparation for her new album, Something Beautiful. It’s such a fun, but weird feeling knowing these two very powerful and very talented women who I’ve watched and adored since I was 7 or 8 still come out with absolute bangers and genre bending music. It’s so much fun to me!
Well, that’s really all I have today. I’m going to make myself some hot tea, get some groceries, and enjoy this rainy ole’ New York day.
“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet.”
—Sarah Louise Delany
Xoxoxoxo,
Jade