Weekly Roundup #19: Oscars and touches

We got 22 inches of snow this week and I got to work from home for two days, which was, maybe surprising to no one, super productive. However, I still don't know if I could do the freelance thing full time with no coworkers to talk to, brainstorm with or riff off. It was a nice change of pace though. And so nice to be at home during the week and actually see daylight. Plus, then I only had to go back to the office for a Friday...I'll take it. Anyways, that's my excuse for this being a little light on every section, but the readings.

Reading

Modern Romance, Aziz Ansari. I’ve been wanting to read this since it came out so when a coworker offered their copy to borrow, I took it. I wanted to see if any meanings changed in light of recent scandal.

Dogfish Head & The Flaming Lips team up for trippy beer-filled vinyl, Delaware Online. This. Is. So. Cool! I want one immediately! The beer and the vinyl.

No hugging: are we living through a crisis of touch?, The Guardian. Maybe it's just my friend group and general acquaintance network, but I don't feel this at all. Every time I see someone I know, we hug and kiss hello, and this ranges from friends to friends of friends I've met before to my boyfriend's entire family. So...no, I haven't seen this, but I can see it being an issue in our society. However, not touching at work, I don't think that's a problem. I don't want people hugging me at work, that's a boundary I would definitely like kept. But then, something like this, "He has heard of teachers asking children to stick on a plaster themselves, rather than touch them and risk a complaint," that seems like it's going way too far. I mean, how often are parents complaining about a teacher putting a bandage on their child's knee? That seems ridiculous. It's scary to think that kids nowadays could be getting more touch from a touch screen... 

 Suicides, Drug Addiction and High School Football, The New York Times. a heartwrenching story. When those of us not in the Midwest think of that region, the stereotypes vary drastically from wholesome and corn-fed to white trash. But, as with many stereotypes, it’s not the case. These areas are struggling with the opioid issue, depression and a country that’s not focused on them. The things these kids, in particular, are dealing with are just terrible, but there’s so few resources for them to go to for help.

Hundreds of Canadian doctors demand lower salaries. (Yes, lower.), The Washington Post.

For The Modeling Industry, The Future Is Transgender, Refinery29 Unstyled. Loved this piece.

Adam Rippon and Sally Field's Son Sam Greisman Actually Met Up IRL, W Magazine. Cuuuuuute!

Casting Controversy Derailed a High School Play. Then Came the Threats. The New York Times. The vitriol directed at these kids who were simply trying to create a more realistic portrayal and equality-minded production is atrocious and just shocking. I can’t believe there are people who would attack kids like this.

Barbie Unveils 17 New Dolls Based On Inspiring Women Like Frida Kahlo And Chloe Kim, And We Want Them All, Bored Panda. Love. Love. Love. Though the doll interpretations are little loose on some...

Yale Student Found Not Guilty in Rape Trial, The New York Times. I will not speak to the verdict as I don’t have all the evidence, but the defense attorneys’ tactics alone are absolutely disgusting. When will people realize that a woman could walk down a street in the middle of the night, butt ass naked, still doesn’t mean she wants to be raped?? It DOES.NOT. MATTER. the clothes they were wearing, how much they had to drink, prior flirtations, if she does not consent, she DOES. NOT. WANT. End of story.

Mississippi lawmakers pass nation's most restrictive abortion law, The Hill. Y'all have GOT to be kidding. I'm absolutely disgusted. " It doesn’t include exemptions in cases of rape or incest, according to the AP." So far, this would be the winner of "Things That Make Me Angriest This Week." Absolutely despicable.

A24 Picks Up Horror Script From Author of Viral Short Story "Cat Person," Hollywood Reporter. Go girl! I loved this story.

New York Times Issues Correction After Editor Fails to Turn Off 'Millennials to Snake People' Browser Extension, Gizmodo. This is great. Speaking as a millennial too.

McDonald’s is turning its golden arches upside down to make a statement, CNBC. I mean, I still won't go there, but I appreciate the sentiment!

Can Venezuela Be Saved?, The New York Times. Meant to read this last week, but anyways...this was such an inspiring and terrifying read. I can’t imagine the horror Venezuelans are living right now. And for any opposition to be struck down so unfairly? It’s a nightmare.

The Disaster Tourist, Highline. The Otto Warmbier story makes me want to vomit. This whole thing just seems so irresponsible, to the point of cruelty.

Women march in London to call for gender equality, The Guardian. Yas kweeens!

Italy election: Populist Five Star and League vie for power, BBC. Okay, seriously? This whole populist surge across the globe is terrifying. We need to be moving forward, not back. Clearly things need to change, before the divisions across politics become irrevocable.

Advertisers are pulling ads from Alex Jones’ YouTube channel, The Verge. But why were they advertising there in the first place...all of them couldn't have been unaware. And for those who actually were? YouTube has some explaining to do because I would be pissed if that were my company.

Here Are the Top Officials in the Trump White House Who Have Left, The New York Times. TWENTY ONE people, lol.

This Couple Found a Math Error in the Lottery and Made $27 Million (Playing Over and Over for 55 Weeks), Inc. I mean...if I had even a remote chance of figuring out how to win, I would do it. Except I don't have the thousands to spend... Also, I recommend you read the linked Highline story in this article.

2018 NFL Combine: One-handed Shaquem Griffin did 20 bench press reps; goal was 6, CBS. Yeah, I wouldn't have known about Griffin if my boyfriend hadn't told me about him, but I watched the reps, holy hell. The kid is impressive.

Porn Star Stormy Daniels Sues Trump Over ‘Hush Agreement,' Bloomberg. Sorry, this shit isn't going away.

Women's March Organizers Accused Of Anti-Semitism — Again, Refinery29. I don't understand why it's so hard to just say, "We don't support anti-Semitism." I volunteered at the Women's March, I believe in the good it can do, but never at the cost of putting a target on other group's backs or by making other people feel hated.

Florida lawmakers vote to stay in Daylight Saving Time all year long, CNN. Because sure...why not.

Prosecutors in Bill Cosby Retrial Want 19 Women to Testify, Hollywood Reporter. YES.

Kellyanne Conway Violated Federal Ethics Rules, Watchdog Agency Says, NPR. I would think this would be common sense, no?

Oscars Presenters Lupita Nyong'o and Kumail Nanjiani Support the Dreamers: 'We Stand with You,' People. I adore this and them.

Getting Ready with Daniela Vega, the Oscars' First Openly Transgender Presenter, Before the Big Night, W Magazine. 

Oscars 2018: Weinstein Accusers Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino Walk the Red Carpet Together, Vanity Fair. I hadn't seen Peter Jackson's interview before now and it breaks my heart for these women. So inspired by these women who are all standing strong and together.

Tiffany Haddish wore a stunning Oscars gown to honor her father’s Eritrean roots, Fader. STUNNING. Also, so heartwarming. (By the way, Eritrea is a country in the Horn of Africa that won independence from Ethiopia in 1993. In case you were uneducated in that arena, like me.)

Wakanda forever: 'Black Panther' cast shines on Oscars red carpet, Los Angeles Times. Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o's looks kiiiiilled.

Jennifer Lawrence and Jodie Foster Present Best Actress Oscar in Place of Casey Affleck, Entertainment Tonight. Affleck rightly chose to remove himself.

Jimmy Kimmel crashes nearby screening during Oscars to hand out snacks, ABC. How pumped would you be??

Listening

Everyday, Logic. A collaboration by Logic and my fave, Marshmello, and I'm obsessed.

Watching

Sons of Anarchy, FX (now Netflix). My boyfriend and I have been watching this show on and off for a few months and we're finally on the last season. I have to say, I kind of miss the early seasons when the drama was just with other gangs, none of this federal and international business. But ya gotta love some Charlie Hunnam.