dirty projectors — Blog

Listening:

"The Socialites" by Dirty Projectors.

For some reason, I feel like I never heard this song until now—even though it came out five years ago. I'm in my Coffman phase, so maybe that's why I happened upon it. The whole album, Swing Lo Magellan, is lovely.

"Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick.

I heard this during the closing credits of an episode of "I'm Dying Up Here" (see below) and I can't stop listening. I wouldn't be surprised if next week I'm on a Burt Bacharach

Reading:

"Swing Time" by Zadie Smith.

I'm only a couple dozen pages in, but I think this is going to make me feel some major feelings.

This opening paragraph from a NY Times book review should draw you in: "There’s something beautiful about the way young girls choose their best friends. A swooning, love-at-first-sight experience, it rarely takes into account social hierarchies, societal expectations or even basic commonalities. And it can be surprisingly decisive, cementing a relationship that persists for decades without any logical basis. It is in this way that the unnamed narrator of Zadie Smith’s latest novel, “Swing Time,” meets her best friend, Tracey."

Dance, fame and friendship. (image via Amazon)

Craving:

Delicious routine meals.

I've been eating a lot of the same things each day: quinoa pilaf with a fried egg and greens; bananas or blueberries; oatmeal cookies; chicken sausages. Health, convenience and tastiness is a food rut I'm happy to be in.

I still dream of one day trying this Sorrel Rice Bowl with Poached Eggs from Sqirl. It's like a better version of my everyday eats. (image via bonappetit)

Wearing:

Sunscreen, sleeveless dresses and shirts, shorts, sweat.

Jordan Sondler is so great and so are her illustrations. She drew a slice of pizza with flower toppings for me at Create & Cultivate as we talked fondly of Baltimore. (via jordansondler.com)

Watching:

"I'm Dying Up Here."

An American comedy-drama television series created by David Flebotte, the series is set in Los Angeles in 1973, where it follows the up and coming stand up comics performing at goldie's, a comedy club on the Sunset Strip.

A lot of interesting people are in it, writing episodes and producing—plus, I really like the bellbottoms, music and interior design.

RJ Cyler as Adam, Michael Angarano as Eddie, and Clark Duke as Ron (photo by Lacey Terrell via Showtime) — RJ Cyler as Adam, Michael Angarano as Eddie, and Clark Duke as Ron (photo by Lacey Terrell via Showtime)

Wanting:

To go to a disco.

All these visual reminders of the 70s and all these sequins and platform shoes in my closet need to get out and boogie.

Donna Summer in 1978, yes. (image via thebostonglobe)

(Mondays have been bustling lately. Last week, in particular, I started this draft, thought I'd finish it up in the late afternoon, and then showed up at my own surprise party! It was the most encouraging experience and my heart swells just thinking about it.)

Listening:

My listening lately is like two sides of one coin. The breakup anthems of Dave Longstreth and Amber Coffman.

"Keep Your Name" by Dirty Projectors.

"All to Myself" by Amber Coffman.

Plus, I've been putting on Chet Baker often. It soothes me.

Reading:

"Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living." Edited by Manjula Martin.

I was wandering Manhattan today when the sky opened up. But it was an ideal moment, because I rounded the corner and there was The Strand! Eighteen miles of books kept me out of the bit of rain.

I picked up some really fabulous postcards and then stumbled on this book. Perfect timing. I hope it gives me a little insight or inspiration or at least a few laughs.

Can you tell I'm having an existential panic about what to do with my life? (Image by Maddie Edgar via Slate)

Craving:

Vegetables and sweets!

This is pretty much my lifelong craving and pattern of eating. I want delicious veggie-laden dishes and then I want chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies and then I want some kind of greenery and then I want some treats again.

Let's just go through a smattering of favorite items this week:

A savory crepe filled with herb roasted mushrooms, spinach, walnuts, cashew cheese and topped with tahini basil sauce; a kale caesar salad with shitake bacon, avocado, almond parm and maple-wheat croutons (omg those sweet and salty croutons!); and some roasted garlicky broccoli.

By Chloe was really fun and delicious. Plus, the location is home to some Beat poet memories. (image by Krista Schlueter via The New York Times)

As for the sweets: A slice of key lime pie with coconut crust; a massive piece of chocolate cake with white frosting (buttercream? cream cheese? heaven?); and a tiny little brownie stuffed blondie that I could've had several more of.

Thiebaud paints my dreams. ("Pies, Pies, Pies" by Wayne Thiebaud.)

Wearing:

Nothing and everything.

I spent the beginning of last week in 90 degree Florida weather. I was sweating through tees and avoiding sleeves. So it was small pieces of clothing or breezy shirts and dresses.

The end of the week brought me to New York, where it was 60 degrees, then 50 degrees, plus many moments of intense wind and downpours. I'm in my snowboarding jacket or my pink faux fur, plus undershirts and socks. I'm going through an array of dressing.

Watching:

"The Handmaid's Tale."

I was counting down for this and as someone who really loves the book, I was a little nervous for the tv interpretation. Alas, it's beautiful and harsh and well done! Elisabeth Moss is divine and I cannot wait to keep watching.

Wanting:

All of my favorite people to exist in the same city or at least an hour commute away. Or a teleportation device.