TGIF 2.0
Les Deux, unfortunately not the iconic one from The Hills
I think this direct Facebook quote from C. S. Lewis explains it best, “you can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” So as I continue to let go of society’s archaic and ingrained beliefs on mental health, it’s important to accept those vulnerable moments too.
In essence, the bitch is back; neurosis and all (oh, and I’m a third-born middle child; of course, humor is my coping mechanism).
Since we’re all still desperately looking for ways to distract ourselves from the unending news stream of triggers and eye rolls, I made sure this week’s Youthquake is certified fresh.
First, I’d like to introduce some new upcoming features, beginning with The Style Files. My curated sartorial looks of pop culture (no matter how questionable) giving me a chance to relive my youth as a fashion blogger, a secret that I was planning to keep until my grave, but why not share it now. Only a very few people know, purposely, about me is that I had a moderately popular fashion blog (RIP). And what’s fashion without music? There’s also The Audio Files. Where I spotlight my curated song or cd picks from pop culture (past/present). Lastly is Spacey Foods, a stoner’s cooking attempts; the good, bad, and possibly questionable.
More importantly, I’d love to commemorate Black History Month by featuring some films by Black filmmakers. Black creators and their stories have always been crucial, yet it’s angrily obvious how easily their talent is glossed over for mediocrity.
For instance, look at Emily in Paree being nominated for a Golden Globe over Insecure or the mind-blowingly incredible I May Destroy You. All the shade to Emily because as cheesy and hypnotic as the show is, it’s just flakier than the croissant Emily posted to her 53 followers. Not that I particularly care about the Golden Globes or others, despite what my reactions are on Twitter come awards season, but my offhand humor and sociopolitical rage tend to get the better of me.
The film industry is notorious for a shameful long history of discrimination. Especially when it comes to inclusion— this extends itself past actors or directors, and producers. I’m referring to the writers, crew, craft, and so many others.
Yet filmmakers continue to share their talent and vision, with or without a political lens or not; we should celebrate the triumphs of these storytellers. The ten featured are some favorites that I’ve watched many times over.
The Audio Files happily brings this incredibly underrated girl group, of the 90s/00s, into focus. My adolescence wouldn’t be the same without Blaque and their iconic singles— 808, their hit cover of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors, and Bring it All to Me.
The latter features my favorite *NSYNC group member, JC Chasez, and it’s still a banger. Also, if these angels look familiar, you’ll most likely recognize them from the essential teen classic Bring it On as the East Compton Clovers. Sadly, Natina Reed (Jenelope in Bring it On) passed away in 2012. May she Rest in Power.
For the inaugural The Style Files, it was a straightforward call for who the first featured person should be. Of course, it’s our forever legend, Mariah Carey.
This idea started innocently. Shopping for essentials like groceries when I stumbled onto the pasta aisle, except I didn’t see my regular go-to favorite De Cecco wasn’t in stock. Glancing over to my left, I see this distinct vibrant shade of amber, and what do I see? Childhood icon Cheetos have only gone and created their own mac ‘n’ cheese.
After indulging in some self-care called, aka ‘GirlScout Cookies,’ and from the pictorial below, I made a box of Cheetos macaroni and cheese.
Verdict? It tastes like Cheetos, not mac and cheese, just Cheetos. So I’d say pass although, I like a cooking challenge (Top Chef is a guilty-free pleasure).
I tweaked the recipe by adding a leftover homemade garlic sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper (for heat), and shaved parmesan to the original. It would’ve been a complete bust without the tweaking, but here are the results of this significant experiment below.
In closing, I'm currently watching WandaVision (yes, I still love Marvel, moving on), and my pop culture worlds are colliding. Sure, the possibilities of the forthcoming MCU makes me excited (forgive me, I have sinned, again). However, this particular episode I'm watching (now fully caught up, after revising today's newsletter) features my fave, Kat Dennings, and she's also currently on one of my favorite podcasts, Keep It.
Keep It is my major guilt-free pleasure; I've been listening since its inception, and I'm still in love. It's been the perfect escape during this roaring twenties redux.
Time Warp is where I’ll feature moments in pop culture for the day. Here’s what happened on this day, February 5th.
1953 - Walt Disney film Peter Pan opened at the Roxy Theatre in New York City.
The # 1 Hit in 1983, on this day, Toto “Africa”.
HBD Laura Linney, American actress.
2000 - Kelly Ripa officially joined Regis Philbin (RIP) on Live!
2021- Legendary actor Christopher Plummer sadly passed away today. Rest in Peace.