Officially, the first day of Fall is September 22nd, but oh hell, the entire west coast is on fire, let’s just call the Summer over.
So, with that out of the way, it’s time to look back on the halcyon days when we were just forced to quarantine without hazardous levels of smoke and ash stopping us from even stepping foot outside our doors.
Here’s my top ten list of things I liked over the Summer:
· Favorite movie: The Old Guard. This may be a rehash from an earlier post of things I liked, but if there is one thing I am, it’s consistent. It’s a perfect action written by Portland’s own Greg Rucka, and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (For Love and Basketball). After Fury Road and Atomic Blonde, Charlize Theron has firmly cemented herself as one of if not the top action movie stars on the planet (honorable mentions: Tom Cruise, The Rock, and Dave Bautista).
· Favorite album: It’s a tie between Run the Jewel’s RTJ4 and The Chicks’ Gaslighter. RTJ4 gives us “Out of Sight,” my favorite song and video of the Summer. If you haven’t seen the video, check it out. It also gives us JU$T, which has been in my head a lot. Gaslighter was something else altogether. In fact, I wrote a way too personal blog that I decided not to publish, but suffice it to say, The Chicks were a big part of the soundtrack of my college years, and now they’re back in heavy rotation in my post-divorce years. The definitive album of love gone wrong and the fallout from broken promises and broken dreams. There’s even a little glimmer of hope in there on “Best Friend’s Wedding.” It’s not performative, but it’s brilliantly performed. These songs feel real. I love “Goodbye Earl” as much as anyone else, but this is what heartbreak really sounds like.
· Favorite Television Show: Does Netflix count as television? Yes. Hell yes. Warrior Nun is my favorite show of the Summer, hands down. Weird and beautifully shot, it’s nowhere close to perfect, but that kind of adds to the charm of it. Want to know what it’s about? Warrior Nuns. What more do you want? Special Mention to The Great and Taskmaster (not new, but I just discovered it this Summer, so I’m counting it).
· Favorite Town: Portland, OR. Whether it’s the smoke from tear gas canisters shot by our beloved PPB or from wildfires invading our houses, I just won’t quit you. Keep it weird, you glorious bastards.
· Favorite Dog: Brisket.
· Favorite Food: Also Brisket, but the traditional BBQ, my dog is still alive and well.
· Podcast: Fake Doctors, Real Friends. Zach Braff and Donal Faison recount Scrubs episode by episode. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a full season of the show, but I love this podcast.
· Book: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. Ha, I bet you thought I’d say my own, but you’re wrong! That will be my favorite book of the Fall when it launches October 13th!
Well, you’ve fallen for it again. That’s only eight things.
But really, my heart goes out there to everyone caught up in these wildfires. Stay inside if you can, stay safe if you can’t.
Until next time, bye.