Eat pie, rewatch Flashdance, go to bed. 🍩
Who needs donuts when you've got love?*
It's been a WEEK, hasn't it? But hey, what's the best thing you ate? I had an apple cider donut for breakfast the other day that knocked my knee socks right down to my ankles.
More superlatives after the commercial break ...
*a) I always need donuts; and b) this line comes from Mark Alan Stamaty's children's book that I think about all the time.
READ MY NEW BOOK FOR KIDS!
I'm thrilled to tell you that a book I wrote is out AND free for most kids! REALLY WEIRD MYSTERIES: LOCH NESS MONSTER delves into the creature's history and is beautifully illustrated by Simon Leclerc. Read it on Epic. (Most kids have Epic accounts through their school.) While you're there, check out my other book, WE MAKE COMICS!
A WEEK OF BESTS:
Best song I heard: The first verse of Kurt Vile's "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" is perfect in every way. Hear it and other new stuff from Aaron Frazer, Fruit Bats, Spoon and Django Django on my frequently updated Spotify playlist of new music.
Best TV show I saw: I finally started watching HBO's LOS ESPOOKYS, which is my new end-of-the-night pick-me-up. (Julio Torres and Fred Armisen star in the absurd comedy about horror fans who start a business.) There are only six short episodes, so get on it!
Best place I went: Last week I was part of a teeny-tiny audience at Jesse Malin's weekly livestream. I can't tell you how invigorating and life-affirming it was to be in a club hearing Jesse's colorful New York songs and stories. Near the end, he covered The Clash's "Rudie Can't Fail," and a strange feeling came over me that I later identified as JOY.
Best comic I read: My daughter and I are reading the new WILLOW comic written by Mariko Tamaki with art by Natacha Bustos. It's fun! (And that's Willow as in "Willow from Buffy," not the 1988 movie starring Warwick Davis.)
Best Instagram post I saw: Nothing holds a candle to Leslie Jordan singing "Delta Dawn" with Brandi Carlile and the one and only Tanya Tucker.
And a question for you:
"I need a good book to distract me at night," says longtime reader Steve U. "Something fun. Maybe Jenny Lawson- or Sedaris-esque." I have thoughts, but what are yours? Email me ideas, and I'll share some next week.
LOVE THAT COSTUME: Amanda S. sent me this photo of her hilarious SCHITT'S CREEK-inspired Halloween costume. "I'm Dr. Clara Mandrake from The Crows Have Eyes 3: The Crowening," she says. "Our annual Halloween party that we go to was much different (small group, outside, socially distanced, during the day) but very fun nonetheless. Seemed somewhat normal for a couple of hours."
Hey, thanks to everyone who tune in to our "Halloween Squares" game show livestream last weekend! We had a blast with Dean Haspiel, host Matt Champagne, Liana Finck, Cathy DeBuono, Jill Sobule, Duncan Birmingham, Iris Smyles and Stoya. You can still watch it on YouTube, and stay tuned for more event announcements.
Well, that's my time! Thanks for reading, and send all mantras and makeup tips to whitmath@gmail.com.
Your banana in pajamas,
Brandon the Wonder Dog
"I'll never graduate from collagen."
- Dolly Parton
Reach out! Find me on Twitter, Instagram and at whitmath@gmail.com.