#36 Things to share over coffee
New poetry, Roy Orbison’s Birthday and fantasy book series
A letter from me
Hello friend,
Happy to be back for another week of recommending fun stuff that I've been consuming or stumbling upon with you. I hope you've been enjoying my suggestions over the weeks so far. Let me know what you've been reading, watching or listening to.
I must admit it has been tough to find time and concentrate on things lately. I've had the impression that life has sped up, and I am constantly running to catch up because I have many things on my plate, and I am generally feeling overwhelmed.
But with some deep breaths, little self-care and small baby steps forward, I'm sure we'll get there together. Let's take a deep breath, slow down, reflect and chat over a coffee or whatever is your preferred beverage.
I hope everyone has a beautiful week, sending all possible calm, reflection and wisdom amongst this world's madness.
What I’ve been reading
Orangutan Teeth is a pocket-sized poetry book from the independent author and internet poet Trev Cimenski.
I've discovered his poetry on Instagram, and I have been mesmerised by his way with words, his artsy video and his readings of his poems.
Cimenski is the perfect amount of intelligence, with enough vulnerability and tonnes of wit to enchant his Tik Tok audience. His video's are always unique and bring his observations on the awkwardness of life into being.
He shares his unique perspective on life, emotions and storytelling in his poetry book, Orangutan Teeth, a small package of clever words, stories, sketches, and illustrations.
I struggle to think of anything that has been quite as enjoyable, enlightening and entertaining as Trev Cimenski's poetry.
Art house magazine love
I have loved Suq Unconventional Sicily magazine since its first edition in 2017.
This beautiful magazine, published in Italian and English, was established by a collective of artists, photographers and publishers as a passion project to explore the hidden cultural treasures of Sicily.
A combination of stunning landscape photography, interviews, and art reveals a remote part of Sicily. They explore incredible stories from the island and go into faraway and windswept places to create a unique record of the unconventional side of Sicily.
What I’ve been listening to
This week I've been enjoying some Rufus Wainwright. I know I've already put him on my Eclectic Listening list, but what can I say? I'm obsessed!!
The highly talented creative musician and artist has always been on my listening radar, but it felt good to dedicate some specific time to go back and listen to his astounding range of music.
Not only did Wainwright begin learning music from an early age thanks to his musician parents, but he also began writing his music at a very young age and soon was seen as a talented new artist. I enjoy his creative range, and he is a persistent collaborator, releasing music from Leonard Choen to John Legend. His impressive output includes everything from musical theatre, Opera, alternative pop, folk and jazz.
I classify Rufus Wainwright on the same level as Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Jack White—an example of a tireless creative persistently creating new stunning work regularly at a fantastic pace.
I particularly enjoy Wainwright when his songwriting has a particular biting social and political commentary; he has a natural gift.
And I love his voice; there is a quality of familiarity to it, like I'm listening to someone I know; it's intimate and robust at the same time, and he can whisper home truths and belt out a show tune with equal proficiency.
Go over and listen to our Spotify playlist with all my weekly listening suggestions.
What I’ve been watching
I'm so happy to see GLOW (Gorgeous Women of Wrestling) back on Netflix.
I started watching this extraordinarily well-written series dedicated to the beginning of the industry of women wrestling in the 1980s, from kitschy mud wrestling in skimpy bikinis to creating exotic wrestling personas and awkwardly etching out their existence and audience in a male-dominated field.
GLOW is filled with fantastic characters and hilarious dialogue with an added dedication to now the deeply nostalgic period of the 80s.
What I’m still watching
I'm not ashamed to admit that I am slowly savouring the final season of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. I watched the fourth and fifth episodes, which masterfully continued Mrs Maisel's story towards fame and fortune.
It also is cleverly teasing on how the future of the Maisel's friends and family may turn out, with flashes forward in time to the 80s where we've seen Midge's children all grown up and this week her gorgeous ex-husband, who finds himself in an unexpected place (I won't spoil anything for those who want to watch, but it is a plot twist.)
I've quickly returned to the Star Wars universe and picked up The Mandalorian, where I left off at the end of the last season. What can I say? I am secretly a bit of a Star Wars geek at heart. I also love watching it with my son, who is the offspring of a Star Wars geek and manages to answer my questions about the Mandalorian timeline in relation to the movies, which is a little confusing. It isn't disappointing.
I am ashamed to admit I did go back and watch the latest episode of The Kardashians dedicated to Kortney Kardashian's weddings to Travis Barker. No, that isn't a spelling mistake; they recorded three marriages for this special episode of the next season of the reality show. And Yes, I didn't mistakingly write it, yes, I am addicted to the Kardashians, and I am ashamed of myself for it.
I can't help myself, even though I know they are evil money-hungry people who have fabricated this persona based on controversy, marketing and brand deals. I cannot help myself. It's like eating a whole bag of potato chips.
I know it's unhealthy and will give me indigestion, but I have to satisfy the craving occasionally, usually after I've forgotten how horrible they are. I have been reminded of the terrible sensation of the Kardashian's aftertaste. So I'm done for now.
Just for laughs
Lately, I have become obsessed with stand-up comics Netflix specials. This week, John Mulaney's Baby J came out on Netflix and didn't disappoint.
Mulaney has the energy of a classic stand-up legend from the past with the edgy darkness and sass of any new cutting-edge comedian of today.
In Baby J, Mulaney takes us through the last few years of his life through rehab, divorce and fatherhood in his usual dark, honest and hilarious comedic style.
Poem of the week
I am subscribed to the Paris Review's literary journal newsletter. I love the magazine's mixture of essays, interviews, art and poetry.
I used to be subscribed to the physical magazine, but I cancelled my subscription after a few issues went missing in the mail. It was no fault of the Paris Review but rather the unreliable Italian postal system, so I generally avoid mail subscriptions.
But I enjoy how the Paris Review digs into its archives to share some great poems.
This week I read this one, which seems apt for this time of year filled with the rituals of changing seasons, and pruning back of excesses.
By Allison Funk
On Pruning
Cut it way back.
Do not be afraid to pinch the first,
the only blossom. The berry cannot thrive
in freedom. Have no mercy,
gardener. Train the tree to a leader
crowned by the uppermost bud.
Make ten o’clock your angle
for the outstretched limbs
of the apple. Prune
when the knife is sharp,
taking care that the scar be neat.
To share the surgeon’s belief in healing,
you must trust what has been taken from you
is a blessing. Trust
by April, the cherry and pear
will fill in, stitching
the dreamiest lace, punto in aria,
think of it
as a veil if you must.
And the rose, this is a special
case. When winter’s close, cut back
the tallest stems, then with soil
topped with straw or leaves, bury the plant,
make the mound as high as you can,
as if the grave were your own
impermanent home, as if you believed anything
could bloom again.
From issue no. 152 (Fall 1999)
Roy Orbison’s Birthday
The 23rd of April marked the birthday of American rock and roll legend singer/songwriter Roy Orbison. Roy has to be one of my all-time favourite singers, so in memory of the great man, I thought you might like to read my article all about why I friggen love the Big O.
New reads
Let's forget about the deal I made with myself not to order any more physical books, as my house is filled with piles and piles of books. And that I had vowed to buy ebooks because they don't take up space and are generally better for the environment.
After tidying my house and giving away a few books, I realised I had a little more space, so I decided to add a couple of new volumes to my reading pile.
I've been reading online reviews of the Sarah J Mass fantasy series. I generally don't read series, but after enjoying the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, I'm willing to invest some time in another, but only if I know it won't disappoint.
Hence I bought the first two books of the hugely popular Sarah J Mass series A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury.
I'll keep you posted if it is in fact worth the trouble. As series require a significant investment of time.
I hate to be long-winded, so I will stop here.
I'll try to share something worthwhile, well thought out and new here every week, perhaps more often if I get frisky or in some kind of karmic writing zone.
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Speak again soon.
With love and light from RDB
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