Mid-Year Highlights

Best meal I’ve had: Of course, I don’t have any pictures or copies of the menu, but I went to Fore Street in Portland Maine for my birthday and had this absolutely stunning meal. The standouts were this wood fired squid dish and a crab stuffed halibut in a morel mushroom and sunchoke cream sauce. I will be thinking about this meal for the rest of the year, at least.

Best drink I’ve had: Pepperoncini Dirty Martini prepared multiple times for me. Once at a pop-up at Oddly Enough in Bed Stuy and another by Mik. Kind of an unbeatable version of a dirty martini if you ask me.

Best movie I’ve watched: Hereditary. I KNOW – I’m so late to this but everyone was right. It rocked. I’d been avoiding it because I didn’t want to watch it alone (thanks Mik) but I’m so glad I pulled the trigger. The most memorable aspect of this film was the auditory experience. Made it that much creepier; I loved it.

Best show I’ve finished: The Wire. Not for the faint of heart but very worth it if you can stomach the gut-wrenching reality this show brings to light.

Favorite place I’ve been to: Camden, ME. A place out of a children’s book. Little shops, bubbling brooks, views of the harbor, B&Bs everywhere, the largest wild tulips you’ve ever seen.

Best show I’ve been to: I would’ve chosen Neil Young hands down but after seeing Lip Critic last night, I have to say it’s a tie. Simply because I can’t compare them. The Neil show was nostalgic and beautiful and everything I wanted it to be. Seeing him with my family made it even more special. Lip Critic shared the stage with Programmique and Shiverboard which were perfect accompaniments to the overall experience. The energy was palpable and chaotic; an event of genuine catharsis I will never forget.

Best record I’ve picked up: The Self-Titled Yellow Magic Orchestra record from 1979. Found this one at Superior Elevation Records in Williamsburg. I’ll 100% be coming back here for more gems and DJ sets.

Songs on repeat: Listen Below :3

Film evidence of an awesome party: I turned 25th this May. It feels weird. Shoutout to Roshan for capturing some of these moments.

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In other news…

Not much has drastically changed since my last entry…

• I still work in advertising.
• I still partially hate it but hope there’s some movement soon.
• I’m still neurodivergent as fuck but we’ve got it on lock.

I’ve dabbled in microdosing mushrooms which has significantly helped me be less non-verbal in social situations. The summer vibes are starting to kick in and despite the heat, everything feels good again. Pride was a success. Lots of partying, dancing, drinking, laughing, hanging out, eating, and genuinely enjoying existing. I feel an immense amount of gratitude for the life that I’ve built and the people I’m surrounded by. I would not be here without them.

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What’s next?

To forecast the future months, I have some traveling on my radar, hosting guest stars in NYC, a couple shows lined up, and family time. I’m trying to encourage more of a routine in terms of this zine, reading more books (please drop some recommendations), spending more time outside, seeing more movies in theaters, going to more local shows, cooking (!!), and maybe spending a little less time rotting in bed.

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To close this out, I want to share the awesome work of my younger sib, Hannah. They’ve been studying graphic design with a focus on abstract, mixed media linoleum prints.

Acrylic paint, Posco pens, black Micron pens, and metallic nail polish brought this work to life. They chose the quote, “Memento Mori” as a jumping off point, directly translating to “remember death” or “remember you must die”, also transcribed in Chinese characters on the left side of the piece. They interpreted this sentiment as a tribute to the inevitability of death, remembering those who have passed in your lifetime, and how they’ve contributed to the development of your character.

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