FNC - I went to the cottage (San Fran)
Kia ora! Welcome to Friday Night Chats! I'm so happy you're here. It's been a loooong week, with my child not at school much, which has made it hard to get mahi done. Also, the aftermath of the storm has been SUCH a hassle. Anyway, let's chat!
Feel free to skip to the comments if you read this already in your email!
I won't complain (much) about the storm because the damage to our house (and fences) wasn't as bad as it was for others. But aghhh! How is it only February?! This year feels like it's been such a shit show already?!
But I will say I had an amazing time at the Heated Rivalry club night. It was SO WEIRD! It was so weird and great. When we got there we were like, 'oh there must be something on, look at the queue'. Because Cuba St was packed all the way round to Nood on Marion Street. And then we realised the line was for the Heated Rivalry party?!
I have never seen San Fran so packed and I've seen heaps of (good) bands there. So that in itself was so odd. We went for a drink because we are too cool to wait in line. And finally got in about 11.4opm.
And when we got up the stairs it was wild. Everyone was singing at the top of their lungs. There was a huge screen playing clips from Heated Rivalry. People had face masks of Ilya and Shane. It was so silly and so fun!
And also, we had assumed it'd likely be all straight women. But it was very gay! Yay! There were very cute baby gays pashing on the dance floor and it was honestly, probably the best night out I've had since my 40th. I stayed out until 2.30am can you believe it?!
So like, of course I'm going again haha.
What I'm reading:
Right off the bat - two excellent articles:
K-Ci Williams
Matt Ribel
Truly, just excellent pieces that I absolutely loved! The kind of,
Scott
Andy Greenberg
There is no evidence that social media harms children’s mental health.
'She told them everything': Why a 13-year-old's plea for help has triggered a national warning
Abby Monteil
Dazed
J.W. McCormack
Meet the Gorgeous Winner of Japan’s Capybara Bath Contest
Oh and also, there are so many great things about having an autistic kid but seeing this article and immediately saving it because I know he will love it is one of them...
Grindr
Also, I will now forever think of Abe Lincoln when I think of Intercrural sex. Because I'd never heard of that term before!?! Have you?!
What I'm listening to:
I am cycling between two audiobooks at the moment - Eros:Queer myths for lovers by Zoe Terakes, which is gorgeous and gentle and kind of just what we need right now for the world, and Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price.
I've been trying to read/listen to Laziness Does Not Exist for a long time because it's what I need. I instinctively know that everything in the book is true and relates to how I live my life. But I also hate feeling like I'm being told what to do or told off. So I'm listening in small amounts and trying to get over myself so I can actually really hear it you know?
Some good quotes I thought I'd share:
“The Laziness Lie has three main tenets. They are: Your worth is your productivity. You cannot trust your own feelings and limits. There is always more you could be doing.” - (I was absolutely fucking gagged on that one lol - Emily).
“The Laziness Lie encourages you to ignore your body’s warnings, push through discomfort, and ask for as few accommodations as possible. And at the end of all that struggle and self-denial, there’s no reward. You never actually earn the right to take it easy, because the Laziness Lie also teaches you that you can never, ever do enough.” - (AGHHHHHHH! - Emily).
RUDE!! Also accurate.
What I'm watching:
Not much to be honest. I have not found anything that great. I am Industry S3 a bit too bleak for me. I can't really do depressing TV anymore without following it up with some Heated Rivalry as a palate cleanser.
I watched the finale of Tell Me Lies. I watched three seasons of that show and let me tell you, it's the worst show I've ever seen in my life. That is not hyperbole. I'd watch six seasons of Two and a Half Men before I would watch Tell Me Lies again. Truly, what an infuriatingly misogynistic BS show. Why did I watch three seasons of it? Why?!?
I'm also obsessed with these people building an eco-roundhouse out of dirt.
I also have somehow succumbed to watching a podcast even though I said I wouldn't ever do that. But anyway, I've been watching Taylor Lorenz's Power User. It's very good.
She also has a great episode on white women activists. In the episode they discuss the demonisation of “Wine Moms” and “Childless Cat Ladies” in relation to the rise of the trad-wife fantasy. They explore why conservative media is obsessed with controlling white women and why this demographic is trending away from the Republican party.
I am very excited that Featherston Pride is coming up. Last year's Pride was truly the most wholesome weekend I've had in so long. To me, Featherston Pride is what Pride should be. All about community. All about being together, celebrating, and queer joy alongside allyship. It's wonderful!
So honestly, you should go! Bring your kids! Stay for the night and come to the party! It's so fun!
What are you reading? Listening to? Watching?
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I am so glad you're here and so grateful. Arohanui, Emily x
