#i'll be watching an episode of gossip girl and it'll just click

[shapeshyft]

Also, Hi! The reason I'm not super active over here (yet) is that I'm still trying to give my other blog some time in the sun (she's barely older than Raven) and also? I'm still not super confident with Raven yet. She scares me in a way I don't know how to articulate or write down, so its hard for me to put pen to paper for her.

But I am working on it! I'm trying! I'm doing my level best, swear down.

[kolbisneat]

MONTHLY MEDIA: June 2024

Halfway through the year! More daylight means less media consumption but I'm okay with that. Here's what I experienced in the month of June.

……….FILM……….

Back to the Future & Back to the Future Part II (1985 & 1989) It's been a while since I've watched these but I was immediately stricken by how much Avengers: Endgame owes to Part II. Both move at such a breezy clip that it makes total sense Part III would ditch most of the sci fi stuff for a western.

……….TELEVISION……….

Bridgerton (Episode 3.01 to 3.02) Having not watched seasons 1 or 2, I'm impressed by how well the first couple eps set the stage for newcomers. Plus it makes all the previous seasons feel like lore! So far I'm digging this gossip girl.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Episode 1.07 to 1.08) Really great season of television that ties so much up I was genuinely surprised by how complete it felt. I know season 2 is confirmed but I think this show got in, said what it wanted to say (wholly), and got it and hot dang do I respect that. Big fan.

Delicious in Dungeon (Episode 1.23 to 1.24) Great cap to the season and lovely to end not with a bombastic fight but a contemplative and hopeful discussion. Such an excellent adaptation.

……….YOUTUBE……….

The Death of Movie Theatres - Beyond the Black Void by Red Letter Media It's really interesting to think of the movie-going experience as something that could become more niche: something akin to listening to records or going to see a play. VIDEO

Simple Rules for Better Sandwiches | Techniquely with Lan Lam by America's Test Kitchen I really appreciate the culinary arts but have only ever felt confident in the kitchen when following a recipe. Videos like this have really opened up my mind to concepts and building blocks for making better food. VIDEO

……….READING……….

Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie (Complete) I'm not usually one for short stories (tougher to connect and keep track of the characters, especially if reading a few in a night) but I'll admit I liked most of these. Varied with really only one or two that left me feeling confused. Heck I even solved a couple before the end!

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett (Complete) The previous book (reading in publication order) didn't click for me but this was a return to form. Maybe it's cause I love the witches, maybe it's cause I love vampires, but this was a joy. Some of the body humour felt dated, which is strange for the generally timeless humour of Pratchett's work, but fortunately it was only a small part. Big fan and excited to get back into Discworld.

The Vision by Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Mike Del Mundo, & Michael Walsh (Complete) The concept character writing is so good in this; the Visions really do read like androids attempting to be human. I really wanted a slower burn out of this and wish we got a little more "trying to fit in" before it all goes wrong. Maybe it'll sit better with me on a reread but it was still a fun time with a comic book.

I Hate This Place Volumes 1 & 2 by Kyle Starks, Artyom Topilin, and Lee Loughridge (Complete) Picked these up from the library on a whim and it's all oozing with so much style. Doesn't quite live up to expectations (I was imagining more serialized stories instead of one very fast-paced story) but the artwork is so gnarly. Really cool premise that I wish had more room to breathe.

……….AUDIO……….

No Hands by Joey Valence & Brae (2024) I want to like this album, but its 90's influences just don't grab me. They do a great job of capturing the spirit of the style, but I preferred when that style was more early Beastie Boys. Those are 80s/90s influences I can get behind.

……….GAMING……….

Neverland: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) Tuesday crew has defeated the elves and made a Liche ally! But their current quest is collecting all the pirate bones they scattered back during their very first Neverlandian session! Anyway you can read all about it here!

Oz: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) The Mof1 crew's magic item investigation has lead them to a wealthy family holding a private event and their plan is to get in through the power of wrestling fandom. I'm excited to see how that goes.

And that's it. See you in July!