A newsletter of (good) ideas for trying times.
You did it. You made it. Another week cooped up at home, or toiling at work, and you’re still here. It hasn’t been easy going for most people, but if you’ve lasted this long, maybe try to do it for a bit longer?
To those who are enduring the solitude or homeschooling their children, or trying to teach or learn via teleworking platforms, you have my gratitude and empathy. I truly appreciate everyone who is doing their part to slow the rate of infection.
So what can you do this week to help the days go by a bit quicker? If you’re me, you’ve been doing an extraordinary amount of gaming so that’s where we’ll start this week’s list:
Games:
Final Fantasy VII Remake: I played the original as a child and it made me fall in love with games as more than just an idle diversion, but as an art form. The story is pretty good, the characters are interesting, and in the remake — the graphics are tremendous. You won’t need to play the original to like this! I only have a few hours logged in the game right now, but the voice acting is superb (with the exception of Barrett, who made me uncomfortable for reasons that deserve their own paragraphs) and the updated story moves quickly. It’s available on Playstation 4.
Just Dance 2020: Been sitting around listlessly for days? Don’t be ashamed, I’ve done it too. That’s why I downloaded this game, to get me up, dance, and undo some of the damage I’ve done to my body via excessive bread consumption and alcohol intake. The game features easy to follow instructors, and a variety of fairly current pop hits to help you shake it all out. Just Dance 2020 is available for multiple platforms and it’s currently on sale for 50% off ($19.99 USD).
Twitch:
Sometimes watching someone else play games is just as good as playing it yourself. This week I’m watching Kate Stark and Mandersnatch play FF7R. I regularly watch LittleSiha play Just Dance and I often stop by SlyTQ’s streams for Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley.
Podcasts:
Two offerings this week, and they are for people who love movies both good and bad. The first is called You Must Remember This, and it explores the fact and fiction behind Hollywood’s first century of film-making. The podcast has an extensive catalog, but most episodes stand on their own. I recommend starting with Episode 152: Hollywood’s First Weight Loss Surgery, which is the start of the “Make Me Over” mini-series.
The other pod is How Did This Get Made? a comedy show that explores some of the worst Hollywood has to offer. It stars Paul Sheer (Black Monday, The League), Jason Mantzoukas (John Wick III, The League), and June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie) along with a host of their comedian and celebrity pals. The trio mock movies and rarely answer the titular question in the process. Watching the movies is not required before listening, and is often discouraged altogether. If you want to start with one of their recent episodes, I recommend the Michael Jordan/Bugs Bunny masterpiece, SPACE JAM.
Movie:
Ever looked at the American Film Institute’s Top 100 list? It hasn’t been updated for years, but sitting at number one is a movie I’d never seen until last week: Citizen Kane (1941). The incredible lighting, lavish sets, and daring camera angles were novel in the early forties, but does it all hold up nearly 80 years later? That’s a tall ask for any medium, let alone the ever-changing world of film.
The story of the people, places, and things that make up a newspaper owner’s life captivated critics and audiences alike for decades. Recommended companion pod to find out more about the real people who inspired one of the greatest feats of American film-making: You Must Remember This, Episode 57: Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst, and Citizen Kane.
Books:
Do you miss libraries? I do. I’ve been dipping in and out of a plethora of novels (including all of Agatha Cristie’s works) thanks to Kindle Unlimited. You get a ton of books to read at your leisure for $10 a month. It’s not a substitute for a library (with all its free books and services) but it may be the best you can do while quarantined.
YouTube:
Bon Appetit’s YouTube Channel: A zany cast of well-to-do cooks teach you a thing or two about getting around the kitchen, and getting along with your co-workers.
Critical Role: If you’re missing your home D&D game, why not check in with some self proclaimed nerdy-ass voice actors as they broadcast their game to an audience of thousands? Their animated show is coming next year, so now is the time to get caught up on all the episodes you missed.
Each session is between three and five hours long, but it goes by quickly. You can start from the first episode of the first season, but know that the production values and cast changes partway through. If you start with the first episode of the second season, you’re missing out on a wonderful story told in the previous campaign, but the production is much better and the cast is stable. Either way, you’re making a good choice.
Don’t have time to watch a full campaign? Try a one-shot, or a fully contained story in one episode, like this one for DOOM Eternal:
Quick Recs:
If you’re on TikTok, I hope you’re following Jane Fonda.
If you’re on Instagram, I recommend Peter McKinnon for great views and a sunny disposition.
If you miss your daily walks, try a one mile walk in your home with Leslie Sansone.
That’s it for this week. Reminder: if you’re getting takeout or delivery, make sure to support your local small businesses and order directly from them — not from Seamless,Grubhub, Uber Eats or Door Dash. Those companies take a cut of up to 30% from your order, leaving the local restaurant in question with very little to stay afloat.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and share this with your friends. I’d love to hear recommendations from you, so leave comments below!
