Hope Is Other People

Yesterday’s doomed post, while of course fun and unfortunately endlessly topical, belies how I actually am feeling this week. Sorry, let me correct that, how I’ve been feeling since late Tuesday night. Like many of you, this whole year has been a slow-moving (and at times, shockingly fast-moving – oh, East Wing, we miss you) disaster. So it’s been hard to find hope. Still, the Election Day results represent a clear repudiation of the unlawful cruelty (and, might I add, rampant stupidity) of the Orange Stain’s second term. And while it of course has not completely solved our Sartre problem, it at least is a reminder that not everyone is awful. Good things can still happen.

I’ve long said Trump wins by overwhelming us with terrible, awful, no good things so that it’s hard to focus on what matters. The truth is, all of it matters. But none of that will matter if we can’t fight off fascism and defend democracy. Period. Full stop.

How we get there, whether through more progressive candidates or more moderate candidates or whatever kind of candidate, is kind of immaterial. It’s that, as AOC says so succinctly here, we are all fighting the same fight. Democrats, progressives, liberals and even centrists of all stripes have one assignment right now. Fight like fucking hell. Yeah, we’re sad and we’re mad and we’re scared. But we are not afraid. May we keep electing fighters who speak for their communities everywhere. And we will remember everyone who bent the knee, especially those with the most already who were more than happy to comply in advance. Fight. Win. Repeat.

p.s. If you want a little more of that hopey-changey feeling, might I suggest Zohran Mamdani’s full victory speech. And, trust me, be sure to turn the volume up.

Doomed Together

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Hey, wanna feel doomed with me on a Wednesday but kinda in a good way? I mean, as good as us doomed can feel these days? Well then check out Kate McKinnon and Amy Poehler on Amy’s Good Hang podcast. I’m not really a podcast person, because goodness don’t we yap enough at each other as humans? But I do always enjoy the little clips I get fed by the algorithmic gods of attention from Amy’s interviews. And each interview with Kate makes me appreciate this rare and fascinating creature (homesteader, but again, in a nice way) who gifted us with a peek into her unique mind for 10 years on SNL. Whenever she has reemerged since has been an utter delight. And, if you are one of those I-love-to-watch-a-good-yap people, please enjoy Amy and Kate’s full hour-long yap here. Happy We’re Doomed, Wednesday, kittens!

Shoulda, Woulda, Hedda

Right, as I was saying, who has a Prime account and wants to invite me over to watch “Hedda?” The Tessa Thompson-starring adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen about a charismatic chaos agent gender-flips the past love. See how Tessa manipulates/bullies the marvelous Nina Hoss (also Cate Blanchett’s wife in Tár) with such ease. The film has received raves, but darnit if I still don’t want to give Jeff Bezos more of my money. So, as I was saying, who wants to invite me over?

Vacation Vixen: A King, A Queen & A Hack

I’m generally against throuples (yes, of course, do you – I mean for me). But this throuple, this throuple I’m not against. For me or them. What, the world’s on fire. Why not?

Vacation Vixen: Lena Headey

Honestly, Lena, girl. Same. No scares, only tender hearts this Halloween.

p.s. I hope you Big Hat, Big Matriarch Energy show with Gillian Anderson does well!

Vacation Vixen: Gender Fuck Edition

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Well, I might have started my birthday weekend a little early. But, even if it’s technically my party, I would never leave you without a gift. So here is Lupita Nyong'o in drag for her role in Shakespeare in the Park’s production of Twelfth Night. Happy birthday to you, too, I guess.

Space Lesbians Unite!

Hey, remember back in April when I was like, “Hmm, will this new Space Lesbian Movie (which somehow is its own genre) be any good?” I’m now leaning strongly toward, “Holy, spaceballs, it sure looks like it!” The full trailer for the animated film “Lesbian Space Princess” features the all-too relatable scenario of having to rescue your ex from evil Straight White Maliens! First a “Blue Is the Warmest Color” joke in the teaser and now an “L Word” joke? Beam me up, Space Lesbians!

p.s. This “thespian/lesbian” joke has to be a “Lebanese/lesbian” homage, no?

Tank Top Tuesday: G Flip & Friends Edition

After all these years of writing about G Flip, I guess it’s about time I saw them in real life. Crazy, I know. I’m going to see the Aussie star this weekend for my birthday, which admittedly seems pretty gay. So, you know, it’s perfect. Sheepishly, I’m still not all that familiar with their music. But I am taking a crash course now, starting with watching their “Big Ol’ Hammer” music video. I don’t know how I missed this over the summer, what with its choose your own adventure masc hotties for all wlw tastes. And in tank tops no less. And Fortune Feimster. And the little not-Shane Jacqueline Toboni. And did I mention all the tank tops? I mean, it is Tuesday.

p.s. No, I don’t know if Chrishell will be there. No, I’ve still never watched “Selling Sunset.”

Music Monday: Back to Lilith

I’m still basking in that late 90s Lilith glow. Did you get a chance to watch the Lilith Fair documentary over the weekend? I’ve decided to just revel in the nostalgia a little longer. I can’t tell is this vintage encore performance makes me feel young again or incredibly old. Maybe a little of both. And, honestly, that’s just fine. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Sometimes you just need a little nostalgic hopecore to get you through the day. So by all means go wrap yourself in the warm embrace of the late 90s optimism of the female singer-songwriter era. The new Hulu documentary “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery” is exactly that hopecore. Besides the welcome faces of so many heroes from that time, from the Indigo Girls and Erykah Badu to Natalie Merchant and Sarah McLachlan herself, the film also reminds us of the still revolutionary nature of it all. An all-women music festival? In this economy? Taylor Swift and her opener is one thing. But a whole bill? Now hold on, little ladies. Will it also make you feel a little old and remind you how our cultural history is lost if not specifically passed down to new generations? What do you mean kids today don’t know what Lilith Fair was? Teach the children! Open the schools! Happy weekend, all.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Forever Diane

News of Diane Keaton’s passing at age 79 earlier this month has filled me with a lingering sense of loss. Not only did I grow up with her on screen, she inspired so many women my age and truly all women by being so endlessly herself. Much like Katharine Hepburn, Diane was an iconoclast for independent women everywhere. She also dressed her entire life outside the traditional male gaze. Her style was for her, and other women. And if the fellas also liked it, well, I mean a few of them have to have good taste, right? There was a time when “Baby Boom” was my favorite movie. She was big-shouldered but relatable and endearing and just herself. Yeah, I know, she never condemned Woody. But I refuse to allow women to face more consequences for the actions of bad men than the bad men themselves. So, thank you Diane. Know you inspired so many of us to find the big-shouldered, big-hearted heroines in all of us. And, forever, love the suits.

Tina, Ina. Ina, Tina

Am I mad at myself that I missed My Fake TV/Film Wife’s Ina Garten season opening episode last weekend and have I already set my DVR (do people still use those? just me?) for its repeat next weekend? And until then will I console myself with these clips of Tina Fey wanting to marry Ina? Yes, I know, but I allow it because what middle-aged woman hasn’t wanted to do that, duh? Talk about your I want to go to there.

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That Good Light

It’s been a bit since I’ve cried about the world – in a good way. But the trailer for the documentary “Comes See Me in the Good Light” about the late genderqueer poet Andrea Gibson achieved exactly that. Happy tears. Or at very least ones only a little tinged in sadness, I mean, what a loss still. I think in this dark moment, we could all use a reminder of the good light. I know I sure do.

Music Monday: Worst Believers

After the massive and heartening No Kings rallies across the country (now, let’s turn that into action at the polls, for mutual aid, for community care), all I want from artists right now is their honest rage. We need modern protest songs. We need Hayley Williams’s “True Believer.” The Paramore frontwoman’s new solo project has started with this searing single that pulls no punches about our fucked up political situation. And, you know, the racism behind it. More of this, anyone with a platform and functioning empathy. More of this. Also, particularly more of this in the face of intentionally milquetoast and entirely complicit people like Fallon. Happy Monday, kittens.

My Weekend Crush

Well, this weekend got away from me. And I plan to write more about Diane Keaton soon, because goodness she deserves it. But in the interim, please soak in the joy of the final number from “The First Wives Club,” which honestly stands up. Especially the slam on you-know-who. If only we had remembered. Rest easy, Diane. Thanks for your everything. Happy weekend, all.