Hi!
Thanks for opening this email / reading this post.
I was being a good girl, eating my bread and enjoying the circus. But the call to write was loud. It beckoned to me. The constant cavalcade of history-altering events that cried out for my commentary was difficult to ignore. I kept my head down and thoughts inside - I longed for the clarity of being offline. But alas! The siren song of new subscribers and restacks was too enticing. So, I’m back to sending links and music and funny little memes, just as my creator intended.
I’ve recently discovered a new kind of person. Introducing, “the mid-30s white woman with multiple hyper fixations and an alarming amount of confidence.” First up, we have Raygun, a deeply embarrassing breakdancing queen, and perhaps the most famous example. But my personal pick is Molly Rutter - a content creator who makes the most insane choices I’ve ever witnessed. She’s basically harmless, while also being a complete menace, and I love her. She is the Carrie Bradshaw of Buffalo, NY, flawed and compelling. Her TikToks are a great place to waste a few hours of your time.
Speaking of misplaced confidence, number one genitals inspector, JK Rowling, decided to cyberbully the woman who just won the “hardest puncher in the world” award. Decidedly not the same flavor of “believe in yourself” as Raygun.
Tim Walz is reclaiming camo.
Two Substacks I’ve been eating up: as seen on and Total Rec. Brilliant writing, unique perspectives - someone commented on “as seen on” once that they wished they had one of those maze bowls that dogs use to slow their eating, but for reading the newsletter, and I FELT that.
I conducted some very important research in my time off, by drinking lots of seltzer. My findings: 1. Aura Bora “Lavender Cucumber” (fancy spa-water, pinnacle of refreshment) 2. San Pellegrino Essenza “Strawberry Tangerine” (salty bubblegum, very summer) 3. Polar “Peach Iced Tea” (true black tea flavor, produced in Worcester, MA)
One thing that encouraged me to jump back into this bad boy was the discourse swirling about Substack about what it means to be a writer in 2024. This post is spicy - forcing people to question their identity is kinda aggressive, even when the identity in question is as benign as “writer.” The argument spilled over into the comments, and inspired even more posts, showing just how provocative the idea is - that there is more to being a “writer” than putting it in your bio and sharing diary entries, an invisible bar of talent to clear. Normally, I’d feel defensive in my assessment of this piece, due to my democratic (and hostile) nature. There is plenty of room at the table and WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN’T SIT WITH YOU?! But relaxed Liz? The one who reacts with curiosity? She’s amused and interested. This writer is obviously part of a rarified group of posters/marketers/beautiful people, all verified and fighting over the same literary scraps. She’s pulling the curtain back, telling us what she really thinks of the unfamous and desperate writers sharing her platform. But for those of us blessed with unstrategic minds and disabled payments, there is no problem to address; it’s just us and our “writing.”
Tunes to start the week with:
I’m going to be real with you - I have pretty much only been listening to Chappell Roan. But here is some of the stuff that’s managed to creep in between “Pink Pony Club” and “Hot To Go.”
Doechii, “Nissan Altima” - every track she puts out goes so freaking hard. One of the best rappers out there.
Clairo, Charm - Tame Impala for girls.
Tujiko Noriko, From Tokyo to Naiagara - experimental pop, not too weird, just weird enough.
Elkka, “Make Me” - recommended to me by an authentic party boy, this track makes me wanna dance.
Normani, Dopamine - an album! Finally! Five years post “Motivation,” she gives us an entire playlist of fun, sexy R&B.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Live at the Fillmore, 1997 - I had been suffering from an acute case of anti-Americanism, so my husband prescribed me this album. Tom Petty sounds old and great, there are silly interludes, and killer covers of the best American songs, like “High Heel Sneakers” and “You Ain’t Going Nowhere.” Between Tom and Olympics basketball, I’ve almost made a full recovery!
xx
Welcome back! The hero we need
HELL YEAH