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Mercury is in retrograde again. Which means I shouldn’t sign any contracts, make any commitments, or plug anything in, right? And if something bad happens, I can blame Mercury. I imagine him as a deflated superhero in sagging spandex, waiting for his turn to use the GetJacked5000 machine at the gym.
(I went back to the gym this week. They have put “do not use” signs on every other cardio machine and zip tied 75% of the lockers in the women’s locker room shut to enforce social distancing. There’s also a mask requirement, which sucks on the elliptical but at least prevents me from smelling other people’s farts.)
Writer’s block has “entered the chat” over here, so this week is just a few comments and some links.
Tropical vacations
Last week I asked you for travel recommendations. Some responses:
"One of my favorite places I've snorkeled in the world is the Island of Mindoro in the Philippines. If you are able to get there, I recommend staying off the beaten path (which will likely require a jeepney and tricycle ride) and staying in a hostel (likely w/ no shower, but with running water) hut site. There are also volcanic islands within boating distance and it's pretty amazing to swim to a volcano. I was there 1998 so, it may have changed significantly. You can literally walk in about 2 feet of water, float, and be surrounded by fish life. You might need to practice negotiation skills if you want to dive in deeper water but if you're a good swimmer, not required. BYO gear."
"I am in no way a traveled person, but I loved Puerto Rico. Tropical, tons of history, culture, but still “safe” in terms of being under US laws and rules. Not sure if it’s “back” from hurricane issues but I would highly recommend it if you liked Hawaii."
"If you want to snorkel and be with the locals, Bonaire is the place. It was the first country to start preserving their coral reefs. The water is so clear that even when diving you can walk out until you’re 30 feet down and see everything. Great simple places to stay. Beautiful place where flamingos congregate in the morning before they go back to Venezuela. For me it was the most beautiful place to snorkel and dive."
Good stuff
- Did you watch the “Halston” series on Netflix? Well acted, I guess, but boring. I first heard about the Battle of Versailles a few years ago in this episode of The Nod podcast, which made the event sound SO EXCITING. Listen to that, and skip the series. (Gimlet Media)
- This poem. (Poetry Society)
- No, I can't yoga my way out of bipolar disorder. (Electric Literature)
- I'd never heard of Facetune. This is so messed up. (HuffPost)
- Here’s a brilliant celebrity profile of Benji (the yoga lady’s dog). (Texas Monthly)
- Speaking of dogs, Mabel and Olive know how to relax. (Twitter)
- A clever announcement for a new podcast called Did You Get My Text? (Rolling Stone)
- A video of Maya Angelou performing “Run Joe” in 1957. It would be fun to make a playlist of the hundreds of covers of that song. Here’s Bim Skala Bim’s version. And, of course, Chuck Brown’s version. (YouTube)
- My grandmother’s precious heirlooms v. my precious heirlooms. (New Yorker)
- Cicadas peeing. (YouTube)
- I watched this video at least 15 times in a row, laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face. (TikTok)
- Old man clearly not hip to the lingo white kids are appropriating these days. (Hard Times)
- “No Future has been designed with two wings: Pretty Vacant, the early punk unit where our staff sport mohawks and leather jackets (white for our medical staff); and Just Like Heaven, the post-punk area where everyone is dressed up like The Cure. If Goth demand increases, we may well open a Sisters of Mercy wing at a later date.” (McSweeney’s)
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