25 MORE things to distract/amuse/bewilder!
I'm tired of hanging out with myself.
Whether we're figuring out how to teach math (yikes), trim our hair and/or exist without Saturday night '80s goth dance parties, this quarantine has been a giant learning experience for us all.
I've had Covid-19 symptoms since March 16--thankfully, not bad enough to warrant a hospital visit, but still pretty rough. This week I thought I'd finally recovered when I was knocked back down again with a cough and chest pain. So, more than anything, *I'm* trying to learn how to take care of myself and appreciate every second I'm in decent health.
Anyway! I don't mean to bring ya down, I just want to be honest--and remind you to be good to yourselves, and be patient if you get sick. This sucks six ways to Sunday, but I have to believe there's light ahead (and here's hoping that light resembles Michael Hutchence, Winona Ryder or anyone from the cast of "Riverdale.")
A few recs 'n' distractions:
1. I've been watching BETTER THINGS on Hulu, and Pamela Adlon is a golden god. Adlon is also excellent on Instagram, where she cooks and cracks wise and even read FREE TO BE YOU AND ME the other day. Shout-out to my friend Lisa, who also recommends the BETTER THINGS soundtrack.
2. I'm halfway through the most recent season of HIGH MAINTENANCE. It reminds me of what I miss the most about New York right now: all the encounters you have with people, whether they're good or bad or 20 seconds long.
3. Many of you are watching Leslie Jordan's hilarious Instagram videos. The actor is quarantined in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn.
4. I thought SNL was fun, although they could've just given the whole 90 minutes to Kate McKinnon. Weird times prompt experimentation, and even the sketches that weren't perfect will always be part of a strange time capsule.
5. Miranda July has a new book out next week! It's called MIRANDA JULY. Order it from your fave indie bookstore.
6. BIG BUSINESS points out that WATCH ME JUMPSTART, a '90s film about Guided by Voices, is on YouTube. (I will always tell you that GBV is, without a doubt, one of the greatest American rock bands of all time.)
7. Our friend Dean binged SWAMP THING and loved the movie WIND RIVER and he doesn't know I'm doing this, but you should take a second to nominate his "RED HOOK: STARCROSS" for Best Webcomic in the Ringo Awards. You can buy the first two RED HOOK books or read them free on WebToon.
8. Speaking of comics, Wizard World has set up a virtual event with Ed Asner on April 14 at 3 p.m. ET. You can see a live Q&A, and if you have deeper pockets, you can chat one-on-one with him or get a personalized video message.
9. My fave B-movie trailer of the week: VAMPIRE DAD. I love movies that sell themselves in two words! It comes out digitally in June.
10. Second City alums are returning for a new series that'll air on YouTube/social channels starting April 16. The first episode will be hosted by Jack McBrayer and feature Jeff Tweedy. They'll also stream via Topic.
11. On April 18 comics publisher First Second is holding an online festival with panels and appearances by Lucy Knisley, Gene Luen Yang and other talented folks.
12. Conan O'Brien's podcast interview with Steve Coogan put a smile on my face when I was resting in bed the other day. I'm on Team Coogan for life.
13. Here's a trailer for COOL TOWN, the new book by Grace Elizabeth Hale about the influential Athens, Ga., music scene in the '80s.
14. Our pal Herman informs us that the Pretenders have a new song, as do Missing Persons.
15. Amy P. notes that Rhett Miller has been doing frequent live shows via StageIt. Keep an eyeball on his social media for dates and details; Rhett has been one of my favorite live performers since 1996.
16. Longtime reader Conrad C. gives us a great tip about Mile High Comics, which is selling five-pound "mystery boxes" of comics to help feed those in need. Look under "Issue" to see the box's theme, which might be DC, Marvel, "all ages," indies, etc.
17. How have I not seen VARIETY, an arthouse film from 1983 about a woman who sells tickets at an adult theater in Times Square? It's not on my Amazon watchlist.
18. Headspace released a few free meditations for those living in New York.
19. RiffTrax is streaming the new movie AXCELLERATOR for free this weekend. It stars Sean Young and Sam Jones (from FLASH GORDON!), and if that's not enough to grab your attention, note that it's about "a car thief who stumbles upon a teleportation device and the girl of his dreams."
20. Quentin Tarantino popped up on Amy Schumer's podcast.
21. The New Yorker caught up with Fran Leibowitz, who might wanna consider getting a computer or cellphone right about now.
22. Turner Classic Movies is holding its annual Classic Film Festival online this year. It kicks off April 16.
23. Musician Ben Model appeared on a recent "Covid Check-In" podcast with Gil Roth. Ben has been holding "Silent Comedy Watch Parties" with his live musical accompaniment, and they're fantastic! Get details/times on Twitter.
24. I'm hoping to post more Patreon content this week, but for now everyone can read my "PUNCH JOURNAL" short story for free.
25. And finally, we lost Hal Willner and John Prine, two men who left indelible, if very different, musical marks. Dust off this tribute album of Hal's via Spotify. Watch Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick sing one of my favorite Prine songs on YouTube.
Don't forget the ice cream!
Have a healthy week, everyone. Special shout-out to longtime reader/supporter Chris, aka BIG BUSINESS, who just celebrated a birthday. (Here we are a dozen or so years ago at Dylan's Candy Bar. I wish I still had that jacket.)
Holler whenever's clever at whitmath@gmail.com or via Twitter/Instagram.
Love your body, Larry,
Miss DiPesto
“I'd rather get a hot dog or a donut than write a song.”