Consumption Junction, What's Your Function?
Taking my money and suffering under capitalism!
It’s another edition of capitalist crushes!
It’s your favorite time of the year and mine: SUMMER SALE SEASON! To be honest, writing that sentence made me cringe and my brain has zero capacity but you know, might as well shill some of the stuff I love onto you.
If you’re new here, this newsletter started as a public wishlist. In a state of brief delusion, I believed supporters (my loved ones, mostly friends and family) would surprise me with something off the list. Of course, I pivoted and now write about more important things… But once a in a blue moon, I’ll write a post like this to update you on the mundane aspects of life. What am I consuming? What have I been working on? What’s the deal with your life? What are you thinking about? I think I’m going to make this a semi-regular thing because I can’t churn out a prolific essay every single time I send an e-mail to you, right?
Currently Consuming…
Since Substack is both a newsletter and weird blogging platform (RIP Xanga, the good days of tumblr and LiveJournal. Miss you, buds,) I thought I’d start a section that harkens back to those days where I tell you what I’m currently consuming…
Literature
EASY BEAUTY by Chloé Cooper Jones: I had the chance to study under Chloé Cooper Jones this summer at the Southampton Writers Conference. Besides being a wonderful facilitator (who gives the most generous feedback—it made me cry lol) she is also a two-time doctor in Philosophy and English. She is literally one of the smartest people I’ve met. Which is why I had to re-read her memoir, a travelogue that traces her restlessness and quest for beauty—and also how she, as person with sacral agenesis and mother, moves through the world in relation to beauty and art. I process best by doing, so I must engage both by listening to the audiobook and annotating my physical copy. When the author reads their work aloud, I connect to it more viscerally. This read-along demands my undivided attention and takes a lot of capacity. I take more breaks, pausing on certain lines that shimmer amidst all the heartbreak that living in a disabled body brings. (One would argue that is the point of art. To feel the things.)
THE FACE: CARTOGRAPHY OF THE VOID by Chris Abani: An oldie, but a goodie. While this is Abani’s only nonfiction book, he’s known for his poetry and fiction and is a professor at Northwestern University, as well as other low-residency MFAs. Because some of my favorite memoirists and nonfiction writers also happen to be prolific poets, I found a copy of this book and started it (especially because one piece I’m revising is called The Cartography of Cries) before realizing that yes, I love his work and JESUS CHRIST the personal is always political. This manuscript is a short but dense read, a meditation on being a third-culture kid. He was born in the liminal spaces and writes about having a face that various people perceive him as everything but the way he feels inside.
Music
DON’T TAP THE GLASS by Tyler the Creator: The entire follow-up to his last album, Chromokopia, is fun, loud and an album that necessitates movement. It’s quick listen (under 30 minutes!) and in this summer heat, I think we’ve found our new album of the summer. If you’re a fan of 80’s rap and r&b, this is probably a good album for you to listen to. If you’re expecting the heaviness and gravitas Chromokopia gave this isn’t it… but it is fun. And yes, get your ass up and dance.
Visual Media (TV + Film)
…AND JUST LIKE THAT (S3, HBO): I cannot recommend this season to anyone. I LIVE for the fact a family friend of mine is on it and watch it solely to support her, but boy, this writing is shit. Okay, so supporting the friend isn’t the only reason I watch it—but it feels better to claim that than telling you I love to hate-watch this show!!! I think making fun of this show is the sole reason I stayed with a toxic ex for so damn long (we’d watch it sick together under the same sheets, laughing about how cringe the show was.) While I’m trudging through season three, you should go read the think pieces it has inspired!
Fashion
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SHOP BERRIEZ for plus size vintage and exclusive designer collaborations. The owner and operator, Emma Zack, has become a good friend of mine and is theeeee coolest stylist. She transcends trend and has a good eye and feel for materials. Emma also offers closet clean-outs and styling services outside of Berriez. She’s not judgmental when it comes to cleaning out your closet, but she IS realistic. After the pain of saying goodbye to beloved pieces I no longer wear, she helps lug what she thinks will sell to another resale place, and if she likes your clothes—she’ll buy them off you to feature in Berriez’ closet sales. Her website isn’t up yet, but shoot her an e-mail and tell her I referred you!
FLABELUS for lightweight, comfortable flats. These first blipped on my radar when reading NY Mag’s The Strategist. I, however, own too many shoes and decided not to buy any pairs. …You know, until my friend Paulina showed me a TikTok of their Lisbon flagship store. And wouldn’t you know it? Summer sale season is on so I didn’t mind buying a pair… They are a little pricey outside of sales, but the associates told us these puppies are machine washable (just don’t stick them in the dryer.) I’m not sure I trust their advice, but I’ll have to do research. Otherwise, the flats are lightweight and they have a variety of different shapes, sizes, materials and textures. I still slipped a few times on Portuguese calcadas (the stone tiles they use for sidewalks in most of Portugal) but they work really well for day to night, and going out!
Video Games
MUSHROOM MUSUME, a cute roguelike RPG/visual novel where you raise a mushroom creature, and when she grows up, you get a few turns of play before you play again. While it may look cute, there are adult themes (you can go on an epic quest to slay a terrible beast) and suffer from the consequences of your actions! But don’t worry, because their life will end and soon, a new fungus spawns. In between writing, I’ve clocked four hours of this game (I bought it last week…) which is a lot. It tells a cohesive story, has so many branching storylines and somehow pushes me to keep going for different combinations!
BALATRO, the GOAT. (Okay, that’s actually SLAY THE SPIRE, but we’ll save that pick for another edition.) One of the most addicting games I’ve ever played because it’s deceptively simple: You play poker hands and try to win each blind. The blind gets harder, and you have to craft a deck (tarot, planet, spectral and standard cards) along with buying and selling Jokers to help you defeat the blind. This game saved my relationship during flight delays (that’s also another story, but you know, neither here nor there.) If you have a gambling problem, this might be a good fix. However, if you are easily addicted to things, you should watch out for this game. There’s a reason I’ve logged over 100+ hours… (I play it during flights.)
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