Sunday Culture

I’m taking the opportunity this weekend to pause and reflect on the last four weeks. I’ve returned to the day job after a period of unplanned leave. Whilst it’s been unsettling with some ups and downs, overall it’s gone in the right direction. You can’t skip the hard things to get to where you need to be. So I’ve been gentle with myself this week. Here are some things that have filled my soul up, as we cross the rubicon in to the twelve days to Christmas.

What I’m reading

Do audiobooks count as reading? A bigger conversation for another time (I don’t think they do but here we are in the reading section, deal with it). I found myself getting deep in to Matthew Perry’s memoir ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’. From the prologue it is heartbreaking to hear his own words as read by him, knowing what we now know about his fate. An intense dive into addiction and growing up feeling abandoned.

I’ve also read a fair few Substacks this week. Turns out we are all craving something more longform. The pop culture got in to it over the last week pitting Jameela Jamil against Lizzo as they allegedly fired pelters at one another via their respective Substacks. Rather than do the TL:DR, I took the time I read each of their essays. Talking about weight, weight loss, the uninvited commentary on female bodies and the immense pressure to look a certain way. Particularly in this moment of widespread weight loss drugs. Also some consideration on who gets to speak about their weight without being piled on. An incredibly thorny topic and I respect both of the writers for their candour. Wherever you land on the topics being discussed, it’s clear that people are looking to find their voice in a more considered and nuanced way, beyond the comments section of traditional social media.

What I’m watching

It had to be done- ‘Taylor Swift: The End of an Era’ behind the scenes doc was watched. First two episodes are out. Many many words have been written thus far about Tay Tay (can there be ethical billionaires?) and I maintain a healthy skepticism about artist created docuseries. Yeah, it’s unbridled marketing and we merrily lap it up. But gosh was I slammed straight back in to the JOY and ENERGY that that tour stop brought to the place I live. We dressed up, we exchanged the bracelets, made friends at tram stops and in the toilet queue, sang our hearts out together. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a cultural moment that celebrated female joy with such intensity. It was also fun to watch Florence Welch buzz off the simple pleasure of entering the stadium stage for the first time via a lift. Adding that to my bucket to do list….

What I’m listening to 

The tone of the week was set with a Monday Caribou gig at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. All Caribou, all week, in my ears. His super kind energy was infectious and gorgeous to experience live. We could all do with a monthly bop, proper surrender to the music vibes.

Have a listen to his recent collab with Fred again and Menor Teteu: ‘Facilita’. It has that hypnotic repetition that then builds. A festive palate cleanser.

Thanks for reading. May your Sunday be whatever it needs to be.

Deirdre x