The DM | Issue Six
Or the one where we revert back to childhood but this time with fancy wine and better snacks
Remember music class? A space where for one glorious hour you would literally bang on a triangle with a stick, collectively blow into a recorder, and call it art? On that note, why aren’t there more reprisal recorder concerts considering an entire American generation knows how to play Hot Cross Buns on a suburbanized reed stick?
We digress.
Issue #6 harmonizes well with nostalgic kazoos, your own set of maracas, and thinking about ‘picking up’ the guitar.
Anyway, here’s Wonderwall.
If you were forwarded this email and are down to DM, why not become a subscriber?
From Meg
Don’t sell yourself short, Gamestop
As Gamestop stock drops literally hundreds of dollars over the weekend, I hope you’re not one of the suckers who bought and kept too long (but hey, there’s always money in the AMC stand).
And speaking of movies and money, here’s another exciting chapter to this stock market saga: Netflix & MGM are reportedly rushing to be the first to create a movie about the Gamestop story. Who’d have thought I’d get to write about my new favorite actor two weeks in a row? Calling it now everyone, invest in Noah Centineo’s future. A basement-dwelling Redditor with a flair for day trading is only the beginning for this roaring kitty.
In which I fancy an Instagram literary critic
Moving in an entirely different direction, as I do, one of my resolutions for 2021 was to watch less tv and read more books. And y’all. I am crushing it. I’ve read five books already and I feel 10-year-old Meg cheering me on from her obscure spot in the library.
Anyway, in my newfound pursuit of binge reading, I started subscribing to NY Mag Literary Critic Molly Young’s ‘Read like the Wind’ newsletter which frankly, is about 14 months too late. I’ve been following Molly on Instagram for a while now and she is, without question, the coolest person I do not know. Along with her excellent book recommendations that come with a small serving of humorous wordplay delight, she also has introduced me to my new favorite candles, made me want to become a baker and has a hilarious little zine that you should buy, entitled The Things They Fancied.
Meanwhile on Walden Pond
If consuming visuals and words sound too difficult this week, I present tree.fm. Which is exactly as it sounds. Listen to a random forest and sit with some virtual trees which is (ALMOST) as good as the real thing. Because as a bumper sticker I saw in Portland once, said: ‘Trees are the answer.’
...And ya know, I don’t disagree.
Three things that aren’t necessarily nature but ARE neature
A 2021 goal: Grow my own bike helmet
Why is no one talking about Recomposing? (aka how to become a tree when you die)
My new favorite instagram account, Obvious Plant
From Devon
The movies we missed
Fun fact: I really love a good movie clip compilation, particularly those that involve dancing scenes (see: this epic one). And, since the pandemic-era awards season is upon us, I was excited to stumble across this ‘best movies of 2020’ compilation (yes, the ‘best’ is likely a bit subjective). While it does leave out a few 2020 flicks, you’ll likely recognize a few of the films, like Palm Springs (Andy Samberg forever) and TENET (that’s going to be a ’NOPE’ from me), while most of the others I need to watch ASAP, particularly Promising Young Woman and Emma.
If you’re feeling fruity
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t constantly miss Southern California’s farmers markets in the peak of Colorado winter - but luckily, my LA-based friend Aliza’s fruit and veggie cards and prints are bright visual reminders of home. She’s also donating $!0 from each card sale to the World Central Kitchen - so, why not jump for a set of your own for non-cheesy Valentine’s Day note sending?
Up your TJ’s game
As a lifelong Trader Joe’s fan/avid eater of the crunchy almond butter, Unexpected Cheddar, and peanut butter-filled pretzels, it’s a nerdy delight to know that the most of the internet is also obsessed with this jolly-good-time of a grocery store. If you’re looking to add some new items into your regular shopping rotation, this thread on people’s favorite Trader Joe’s products is a fabulous read, and Bon Appetit’s TJ reviews are hilarious and informative.
The (low ABV) booze report
Dry January is over, and low ABV beverages are still having a moment - so, Meg and I recently ordered two bottles of Jus Jus, the ‘first-ever’ low ABV sparkling wine from natural wine darling Martha Stoumen and Salad for President. Tasting notes for the Day (3.5% ABV) and Night ( 7% ABV) varietals include ‘a tang of a sun-ripened kumquat, the heady aroma of honeysuckle in bloom, and the bright snap of a Bosc pear.’ Our *non-sophisticated* takeaway was that these bubbles were reminiscent of Martinelli’s sparkling apple cider in a nice and boozy way.
Did it all result in lesser of a hangover? Since we proceeded to have two bottles of (regular ABV) red wine afterwards, jury’s out (#whoops). However, I can say for sure that there will be more Jus Jus purchased in the future - and, bonus: they come in a cute little ‘Just Friends’ bundle for imbibing on V-Day/all the days.
Total rookie moves
I am not artistic, but *something* (aka watching this company’s BTS painting videos/Noelle’s cards/wanting to develop a hobby late in the quarantine game) inspired me to buy some paint and start painting random paper products. Am I good? Nooope. Is it calming and a great hands-on way to disconnect for a bit? Science says hell yes.
Since I’m not yet convinced that acrylic is my preferred novice medium, I channeled my inner kindergartener and ordered a few paint-by-the-numbers sets (this one and that one), which will likely be a nice activity to do while catching up on old This American Life podcast episodes throughout the rest of winter.
And, before you go, a quick snapshot of what I’m currently:
Listening to on repeat: Foxwarren / this song and Maggie Roger’s Notes from the Archive / this song
Making: this addictive tahini maple granola and Ina’s baked fontina cheese dip
Watching: Ted Lasso, which has only deepened my crush on the (newly single) Jason Sudeikis, and Love Life
Loving: Wear Your Snacks handmade bracelets, which lets you rep your favorite foods and bevvies - like French fries and martinis - in a simply charmed way
