Sep 25

Sep 25 Weekly Roundup #42: Goat cheese and parental visits

My parents were in this past weekend and I looooved it. They live across the country so normally I only get to see them about twice a year, Christmas and when they visit me. This year has been particularly family-filled though, so it’s been an unprecedented amount of family time. And I’m totally okay with. I selfishly love when they visit me because, as parents do, they insist on paying for dinner and groceries and apartment stuff (thanks for the Instant Pot, Mom 😍). You know, the caring, loving parent thing. Thank god for it. Our apartment looks so much better thanks to their willingness to offer us their creativity, skills and experience (and wallet 🙏🏼). So cheers to the parents! What’s the best thing your parents do for you?

Reading

WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson.

Time To Restructure Your Medicine Cabinet, Into the Gloss. I like the idea of moving everything out then sticking to two basic products for a month. It’s like a facial refresh. Side note: if you don’t have egg cups, sake cups also work 😉

The Best Products for Wavy Hair, PureWow. If you’re cursed/blessed with this style, take a scroll. I added three new products to my beauty wants Google Doc.

Odessa Young Is Unstoppable: Meet The Breakout Star Of Assassination Nation, Refinery29. I’ve been talking about how I want to see this movie and now I want to see every movie Young is in. I’m also going to follow her on Instagram immediately because I love her now.

Harry Styles Poses With Baby Farm Animals in New Gucci Campaign, Elle. I’m not obsessive over this guy, but I do like his old-school, Beatles-y vibe and, this, I mean…this is…😍🤤 I just would like to say that my dream is to own a teacup pig (and, yes, I know they’re not real, they’re just starved regular pigs—that’s why it’s a dream and not reality) sooo, yeah. Thank you, Gucci, thank you very much.

Lana Del Rey Announces New Album ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell,’ Nylon. It’s not summer anymore (that was the sound of my heart cracking), but I’m still open to driving around and listening to a 10 minute song. I do some of my best thinking alone in my car with the music blaring.

A man who volunteers every day at his local animal shelter is going viral for taking naps with the special needs cats — and the photos will melt your heart, Business Insider. Urrrgggh so cute!! 😭

How to Be Better at Parties, The New York Times. “ ‘The first couple minutes are the most crucial. If you can smile and make eye contact, that puts you in the right place,’ said Akash Karia, a speaker and performance coach.”

‘Veronica Mars’ Revival Ordered to Series at Hulu, Variety. I’m readdyyyyy!

Jordan Peele to narrate the new Twilight Zone, see first teaser, Entertainment Weekly. Eeeeee!

Octopuses Get Strangely Cuddly On The Mood Drug Ecstasy, NPR. Doesn’t everyone?

This Study Revealed Whether We Spend More Time Watching Netflix or More Time with Family, PureWow. One, I’m not surprised. Two, I’m definitely guilty (although, in my defense, my family lives literally across the country). Three, I need to change my post-work routine, because I guarantee I’m spending even more than 18 days a year glued to my streaming services.

Maroon 5 Set to Perform at 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Billboard. You know, I don’t think we give Maroon 5 enough credit, as a society. They’ve been around for like 20 years and consistently put out hits. Howevvver, what about all the artists from Atlanta?

How Golf Digest helped free a golf-course artist imprisoned 27 years for a murder he didn’t commit, The Washington Post. This is so. cool!! Still don’t like golf ha, but this is amazing.

OMG, There Was Just a Proposal Onstage at the 2018 Emmys, E! News. Dawww, an Emmy proposal is better than I ever thought it would be.

HBO, Netflix Tie for Total Wins at 2018 Emmys, Variety. One, Netflix started streaming original content only five years ago *mind.blown.*, two, I clearly need to finally get to watching Barry and three, I’m an idiot and finally realized Emmy noms are for the year prior…I was wondering how GoT was in this year. 🤦🏼‍♀️

2018 Emmy Awards: "Game of Thrones" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" win big, CBS. I need to get Amazon Prime simply so I can watch “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Also, searching for “We Solved It” video immediately. If you missed the show (um, 🙋🏼), take a scroll through this. I smiled, chuckled and even teared up at some of the moments captured.

Teen Girls Are Feeling More Empowered And More Objectified, Nylon. This was so encouraging and distressing at the same time.

Ariana Grande Remembers Mac Miller In Emotional Post, Nylon. 💔💔💔

Why Is Goat-Cheese Packaging So ANNOYING? The Cut. But REALLY. Apparently it’s because this is the best way to keep the cheese fresh and there’s not much pressure to update because goat cheese isn’t the most popular cheese (exSQUEEZE me?!). So let’s start a goat cheese craze, people!

Baker Mayfield Sets Twitter Ablaze by Leading Browns to First Victory in 635 Days, Sports Illustrated. Thank you for proving me right in my pick ‘em pool 😉

Browns fans finally open those Bud Light fridges to celebrate a win, SB Nation. Y’all earned it 🍻

Why bouncy, hyper-feminine script is the font of choice for bridesmaid gifts and novelty wine glasses, Vox. Right now, it’s human and a little sassy, but eventually, once it’s truly everywhere (somehow we’re not there yet), it’s cease to be unique or personal.

3 Tips to Have Better Conversations, The New York Times. Basically it’s all about asking questions and showing you’re actively listening. Nothing revolutionary here.

Dissecting Ticketmaster’s Response To Allegations About Its Secret Program That Aids Scalpers, Live for Live Music. Yo, if this true, this is bulllllshit. Like tickets aren’t already expensive enough!

Vampire Facials May Be To Blame For Exposing Customers To HIV, Hep B And C, Nylon. Urrrggh, as if this treatment wasn’t gruesome enough!

Are you average, reserved, self-centered or a role model? Northwestern. I like to think I’m a role model, but, realistically, I’m probably just average like most people.

Introducing Soon-Yi Previn, Vulture. According to The Skimm, “The piece was written by a longtime friend of Allen's and is being called out by family members as ‘one-sided’ and a ‘hit job.’ “

Scientists think a giant artificial wall propped up under Antarctica’s ice sheets could stop catastrophic sea level rise, Business Insider. “Seas are already rising rapidly, threatening to swamp cities like Miami within the lifetimes of people alive today. If the sheets of ice that sit on top of Antarctica and Greenland were to collapse, the rate of sea level rise could skyrocket, making coastal cities uninhabitable and destroying trillions of dollars of property and infrastructure.” This 👏🏼 is 👏🏼 terrifying! HOW CAN THERE BE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO DO NOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY?! (cough, cough, Trump)

Sesame Workshop Refutes Ex-Writer’s Claim That Bert and Ernie Are Gay, Variety. Let kids see ONE gay couple! Damn. It’s not a crime to be gay. Seriously. Not in America. So let Bert and Ernie be gay. Maybe it’ll help some kids, who are ashamed and fighting their inner feelings, accept and love themselves.

Lingering Florence wreaking havoc in North and South Carolina — live updates, CBS. I know this is horrible and terrifying for thousands of people, but can I just say one thing? Will people stop leaving their pets to fend for themselves?? Or even worse, locking them up and abandoning them?? It’s disgusting. Now that I’ve said my piece, at least 37 people have died as a result, including a toddler swept away by the floods, and I can’t imagine the devastation the victims’ loved ones must be going through. To help, donate money, find a local pick up near you and bring clothes, toiletries, non-perishables. FEMA said there’s a long way to go, so let’s do what we can.

"All eyes" on Trump: U.N. to meet amid tension with U.S., CBS. Because everyone’s worried about what idiotic plan he’ll tweet or say next after some inane, supposed insult to his fragile ego.

California professor, writer of confidential Brett Kavanaugh letter, speaks out about her allegation of sexual assault, Washington Post. “While his friend watched, she said, Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed on her back and groped her over her clothes, grinding his body against hers and clumsily attempting to pull off her one-piece bathing suit and the clothing she wore over it. When she tried to scream, she said, he put his hand over her mouth.” If this is true, I’d, unfortunately, be surprised if this stops his confirmation.

Hearing sets up dramatic showdown between Kavanaugh, accuser, AP. I feel so bad for Ford. This was exactly what she didn’t want. I give her major props for choosing to come forward.

Kavanaugh accuser wants FBI investigation before testifying, CNN. I think this is very clever. If the FBI finds a legitimate issue or crime, it should rid critics of any claims of Democratic meddling to delay the confirmation. I mean, that’s what it is, but for good reason. Who wants a fratty sexual assaulter for a judge in the highest court in our nation?

Christine Blasey Ford Opens Negotiations on Testimony Next Week, The New York Times. According to The Skimm: “If Republicans rush to confirm Kavanaugh without hearing out a woman accusing him of sexual assault, they could lose the independent and women vote. But if they aren't willing to back a nominee that has the chance to shift the country's highest court to the right, they could lose the conservative and evangelical vote.”

Mark Cuban to Donate $10 Million in Lieu of Fine After NBA's Investigation Into Workplace Misconduct, Sports Illustrated. “Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has agreed with the NBA that he will donate $10 million to organizations that promote women in leadership roles and combat domestic violence as a result of the independent investigation into workplace misconduct within the franchise, the league announced.”

Streaming company Spotify sued over sales team's 'boys' trips' to strip clubs, NBC. A female sales exec alleges her boss took an all-male group to Sundance two years in a row, another Spotify executive was promoted after receiving warnings for sexual harassment and said executive took male sales staff to strip clubs in Atlantic City.

Brooklyn diocese reaches record $27.5M settlement with four victims of abuse by lay educator, NBC. They will each receive almost $7 million and “it is the largest settlement on record [in terms of individual payouts] involving abuse of minors by Roman Catholic Church figures.” This is the result of them being continuously raped for six years (2003-2009) by Angelo Serrano, a former director of religious education at St. Lucy's-St. Patrick's Church in Brooklyn.

Campaigners begin action against male-targeted job ads on Facebook, The Guardian. I’m not seeing any job ads soooo….

Trump ex-campaign head Manafort changes mind, cooperates in Russia probe, Reuters. Why hello, Paul. So nice to see you on our side. We’re all so very interested in what you have to say. 😏

FEMA to send its first ‘Presidential Alert’ in emergency messaging system test, TechCrunch. And they don’t think he’s going to abuse it? Pahaha, likely story.

Trump orders declassification of surveillance application, release of Comey texts, Politico. In addition, he’s proposing to lower the number of refugees the US admits next fiscal year to 30,0000, which is the lowest cap ever.

Chequers plan is dead, says Tusk as Macron calls Brexiters liars, The Guardian. Eep. It is not smooth sailing over in the UK.

U.N. Investigators Renew Call for Myanmar Military Officials to Face Genocide Charges, Time. “ ‘The top generals should be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in Rakhine State. I have never been confronted by crimes as horrendous and on such a scale as these,’ said committee chair Marzuki Darusman, according to a news release.” Crimes such as rape, murder and arson, resulting in entire villages burnt to the ground.

Tropical storm Mangkhut hits south China after dozens killed in Philippines, The Guardian. There are still people buried under the debris…it gives me chills to think about them.

UN agency warns time running out to prevent Yemen famine, ABC. Because the main port, the city of Hodeida, is currently rebel-held and the gov-backed forces are consistently trying to take it back. The fighting is halting imports of humanitarian aid and already 2/3 of the population don’t know where their next meal is coming from, according to charity Save the Children.

India bans instant divorce by Muslim men, AP. “The government decision came after it failed to get approval from Parliament a year after the court ruled that the practice of allowing men to divorce by simply uttering the Arabic word for divorce — “talaq” — three times violated the constitutional rights of Muslim women.” It’s like “Bloody Mary”… So now the gov is banning the practice and making it a punishable offense. They’re reportedly giving parliament six months to make it official.

The EU is now going after Amazon after slapping Google and Apple with giant fines, Business Insider. Apparently, they’re worried Amazon could use data from smaller third-party sellers to figure out what customers like, and then make its own cheaper version.

Moon, Kim sign agreement for North Korea to take further steps to denuclearize, ABC. Here’s hoping some action actually comes of this meeting 🙏🏼

Moscow blames Israel after Syria shoots down Russian military plane, The Guardian. Because supposedly Israeli fighter jets were in the area. Israel says they were not.

SpaceX reveals mystery moon passenger, and he's a billionaire, CNET. He apparently plans to invite artists of different disciplines (painting, music, fashion, etc.) as part of a project called #dearMoon, which is kind of awesome.

Diver who helped with Thai cave rescue sues Elon Musk, AP. Oy vey. Why tweet that, Musk? Why start that shit?

Amazon probing employees leaking data for bribes, CNET. This is so fucked up. It’s also why I don’t pay too much attention to rating, except the 1 stars. On any site, not just Amazon.