Hi-ho readers,
Sorry I am coming to you a little late! I’m not perfect but I am bug-bitten.
Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 on which the Union Army arrived in Galveston, telling the Texas enslaved that they had been emancipated. Two years prior. I went to a majority-white private school in one of the whitest places in the country (the “Gold Coast” of Connecticut). I never learned about Juneteenth in school. I’m grateful that people (including me) are learning more about it, but am conflicted about its public celebration by non-black people. I had a paid day off today in recognition, but in a non-pandemic circumstance, I would rather have gone into work (or offsite for education, or community service).
I recently learned about the concept of the umarell, which is a concept that largely transcends culture, but essentially a retired guy that stands with his hands clasped behind his back (a posture Jehan refers to as “old-manning”), observes construction sites in progress, and provides (unwanted) commentary and advice. I’m more familiar with the Yiddish kibitzer, but I also learned about the English term “gongoozler,” which is related to canals.
In a bout of daytime nap-induced insomnia, I watched the first two seasons of Killing Eve, which is the best show I have watched in a long time. If you have watched it, I would love to talk about it to someone other than my therapist. We didn’t discuss it for therapeutic reasons; I discovered she is a fan. I have been avoiding watch the recent third season, largely because I don’t want to not have more to watch, as season four may be delayed until 2022. Jodie Comer is certainly one of the finest actors of my generation, but I also think Sandra Oh should get more credit!! Also, Fiona Shaw is a lesbian icon.
Media Diet
- this incredible video of Dr. Chantel Tremitiere (former WNBA athlete, MBA, Ph.D., etc.) sinking a…12-pointer? in a sporting goods store (maneatsdragon on Twitter)
- this dumbass cat (tramL116 on Twitter)
- did you know that Cellino & Barnes officially called it quits!¹ (Priscilla DeGregory / New York Post)
- I feel very hopeful about the recent Supreme Court majority opinion extending Title VII protection to LGBTQ people (Harris v. EEO Commission, aka the Aimee Stephens case). However, I am still digesting this Twitter thread by Andrea Long Chu about some dangers the dissent may pose.
- the below field guide to fledglings²
from the Wild Bird Fund‘s Twitter
Songs in My Heart (with playlist)
- Stay Loose – Belle & Sebastian
- Alice – Lady Gaga
- Ghost World – Aimee Mann³
- Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
- Over My Head (Cable Car) – The Fray
- The Way You Love Me – Faith Hill⁴
- Solo – Carly Rae Jepsen
- Firework – Katy Perry
- Makes Me Wonder – Maroon 5⁵
- I Say a Little Prayer – Dionne Warwick
I have been trying to go on a long walk with my sister most days, which has been great for my mental health. I’ve found that my best days are ones on which I go outside in both the morning (with a phone call to my mom) and evening. I am very happy about the longer sunlight hours, but get a little sad thinking about how they’ll get shorter after next week’s Solstice, imperceptibly, until they’re short again.
Grateful for the current long hours, grateful for the mosquito bites, grateful for my air conditioner, grateful to work for a better New York and America and world.
See you in two,
Emily
¹ I recently found out that there was a Cellino & Barnes PLAY last year in Brooklyn. I cannot believe I did not see it.
² I am, very obviously, the cedar waxwing.
³ Twelfth of June, a gibbous moon, was this the longest day? (Hi, Caroline.)
⁴ Per my recent tweet, I have Shazamed this song in two different CVS/pharmacy locations in as many months.
⁵ Last night, Jehan said she thought this was the “most beautiful song in the world” when she was in the eighth grade.