Happy Fourth Sunday of Easter!
I recently revisited Issue 212 in which I declared being Anglican in for 2023. I still stand by my “ins” for this year. Although I think I’ve only fake tanned once. And I got back from Florida a week ago, so the Loving Tan is going to have to wait a few months.
I had a blast in Clearwater Beach with my sisters. We travel well together. I am now on day nine of my Shirley Temple phase. One thing I’m trying to do is not drink alcohol unless I want to. I sometimes fall prey to the “this is a time to drink, so I’ll have one,” when what I really want is just a fun little something on the cheaper side, like a Shirley Temple. Or soda water with lime. Or what have you.
Anyway, I love that in the church calendar you celebrate the holiday even after the holiday. Today’s songs were HEAVY on the Hallelujahs, which is just fun, it’s fun to have seasons.
This issue has hot topics: Guns! TikToks about other cultures! Drugs!
It’s fun to have Shirley Temple seasons and grapefruit radler seasons and lick-the-carpet dry red wine seasons. And hot topic seasons, but not Hot Topic seasons.
Number One: Blank Space
Our cousin introduced us to This version of Blank Space. Guaranteed laughs. It might be what unites us a country, only one way to find out.
Number Two: The positive power of being nosy
I am currently in between dryers, it’s a whole thing. But long story short, I re-downloaded TikTok on Friday afternoon and was served a video about how the Philippines have fewer serial killers because of a (according to this TikToker) nosier culture. It referenced this article, which actually give credence to a whole host of theories for fewer serial killers like police incompetence and lack of basements. But the lesson learned here is that if I wasn’t nosy about the article, I would have just taken the TikTok at face value. Always do a second google!
Number Three: An article about violence // interesting map
This article presents some interesting evidence regarding gun violence/political ties, which I don’t want to gloss over, but I also don’t know how to engage with exactly. I don’t know.
Here’s what I know. The way the author has broken up regions of the country is FASCINATING. Fascinating. Been thinking about all week.
Number Four: This is Your Brain on Plants
Here is how I started reading this book: Frannie is one of my favorites on this season of Survivor. You have to root for a girl that holds her own in immunity challenges, its the law. In Frannie’s instagram bio, she mentions Michael Pollan. This is Your Brain on Plants was available as an audio book at the library at the same time I was packing for vacation.
Pollan goes through the history and affects of opioids, caffeine, and a particular type of hallucinogen. He’s arguably more open minded than yours truly. But I thought it was super interesting. One major takeaway: caffeine is crazy! Especially because the quarter life of it interrupts deep sleep requiring users to consume more caffeine the next day to make up for the lack of restful sleep.
I’m still glad that I have a life of just saying no, except to coffee, and I several times I wanted to ask the author, have you tried getting prayed for? That’s an existential experience, imo!!
Number Five: Olive and June Nail Strengthener
I recently started using the Olive and June Nail Strengthener, and my nails are longer and stronger. I’m still tearing them in moments of angst, but more often I’m having to clip them to keep up with the growth.