Hi friends,
How is your January going? Dry without alcohol? Wet because of the rain and fog covering the entire country?
I’d like to take a moment to shout out pet peeves. After a month of round ups of favorites and such, I was inspired to keep track of my least favorite things. It’s been really nice. I feel like I know myself more deeply. And I like having a list (in my notes app) within reach so I can remember myself more accessibly.
My Pet Peeves
When someone says something is “traditional” and assumes that applies to everyone forever, like there’s only one tradition and it’s always been this way (it hasn’t).
When white people say something is “so white.” They think they’re being woke but they’re actually making assumptions about POC and continuing to put us in a box we didn’t ask for.
When people say someone is diverse instead of saying a group is diverse. Or when they say someone is diverse and only mean racially diverse.
People who don’t want to talk about a conflict and instead pretend the conflict didn’t happen.
Mayonnaise
When people stress about what to bring to a party that they’re not required to bring anything to. If you feel you must bring something (because it’s “tradition”) just be creative and trust the host won’t hate you for your choices. And if they do, they’re a bad friend.
My Number 1 pet peeve: Mouth noises like kissing and chewing. Misophonia is real. It turns me into a homicidal maniac. Unless it’s the baby, then it’s cute. ASMR is Not. For. Me.
Note: I reserve the right to be a complete hypocrite and welcome examples of when I have committed these very sins. Most of these are committed by people I love and respect. It happens. 😂
I also started keeping a list of the things I like, because legit I forget what the things are that I enjoy. Maybe I’ll share in another Letter.
What I Wrote
College Pilot - Turned in my pilot to my managers! Got their notes back swiftly, so once I revise I’ll send to my agent and then it will be out in the world!
Pretty Little Wife/Amazon Pilot - We got notes from the network (amazon) and then the next day found out 1 of our 2 execs was leaving Amazon. Which is a totally crazy yet normal thing that happens all the time. We’re still moving forward with our other exec. Hope to be off to script next week.
Studio Feature - Deep in the weeds on revisions. More soon.
What I Watched
Deadloch S1 - So awesome. This year’s Bad Sisters
Percy Jackson s1, eps 4-7
Elemental
Wonka
Slow Horses s3!!! (The most consistent and five star show in ages.)
Luca*
Poker face s1,eps 1-7
Dash & Lily (A great rewatch)
Color Purple (2023)*
Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Church Of Ruby Road
Is that Black Enough for you*
The Emmys (at an Emmy party for Academy members like me. So fancy!)
American Fiction*
Holdovers*
Jury Duty*
True Detective: Night Country eps 1-3 Like… we got night walkers on HBO again or what?!!?
Nyad (Fucking sports movies man. Love the friendship element. It’s Jodie season!)
Somebody, Somewhere s2, eps 6-7 (season finale). Partner and I love this show. It’s hilarious and so friggin emotionally genuine and the cunt pillows are hilarious. I want one.
Circling back on Elemental - I actually loved it. I was a little eye-rolly and weary from past Disney traumas, and it does have a few cringey awkward attempts to mirror real racism with metaphor jokes that don’t work… but I liked it a lot. I should say this was a watch-with-toddler movie. I don’t usually include the things I watch (on repeat) with the short human. That would completely dilute my viewing log. And it would be mostly Frozen 2. So we watched Elemental in increments (hence my earlier pre-judgment). But now that I’ve finished, I think it’s good! Less offensive than, say, Zootopia, which is disgustingly segregated and ghetto-ized and somehow supposed to be a utopia?! At least in this there is not only an awareness but also an emphasis on the prejudice and bigotry in its world, instead of pretending it doesn’t exist and completely missing the point. That said, this city needs some public accountability… SPOILERS - if everyone living in an underserved section of the city can be accidentally killed by leaks from cruise ships… seems like the water company should get on that??? Like… the citizens of Fire town have an excellent class action lawsuit on their hands…
My Watch Diary
I’m keeping track in a google doc this year. In the past I’ve tried to keep track in my planner, but my analog ambitions have fallen short of the efficiency I desire. I see no reason why I shouldn’t share the diary here, in case that gives people some watch ideas.
What To Watch
Speaking of watch ideas, I’m also keeping track of ‘things to watch’ in the notes app on my phone. This has been really helping me with cutting down on decision time when I go to watch something. I’ve avoided many of the apple/iphone utilities for some reason, but finally caved and I love them. Here’s a few things from that list that I hope to get to soon.
Anatomy of A Fall (VOD)
Monsieur Spade (AMC or VOD)
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans (Britbox)
Movie Club Update
It’s happening!... Starting in February. If you’re interested and haven’t let me know yet, message me! Our Movies this month are:
Anatomy of A Fall
Past Lives
The Holdovers
Io Capitano
Also Videotheque is shamefully near my place and I just found out they have a club! I tried to join the Vidiots hive, and I still might for in-person screenings, but I rented 3 DVDs from them and none of them worked. I’m 99% sure it’s because of my old ps5 blu ray player, but still… not a home run. And they were all Elmo DVDs. Try explaining all of this to a cherubic tyrant.
Shows I’m in Love With
Heard Andy Greenwald talk about this category of show on his new podcast Stick The Landing. What I am in love with right now/lately:
Percy Jackson
True Detective S4
Wheel of Time
What I Wore
Not a lot of new share-worthy fits, tbh, so I’ve pulled a few things from December that I did not post last Letter because I was doing the year-end round up.
What I Bought
Haven’t bought anything exciting lately, so I wanted to share my Christmas haul with you. I can’t believe it’s been a month since Christmas already!
A Vitamix! We make smoothies often and they’re usually grainy. Not anymore!
Diaspora Co Tea and Spices - Partner works with this company and was obsessed with the packaging, which I agree is very cute and very me. He bought a candle, tea, and some fancy salt!
P.F. Candle Co. Reed Diffuser - This is from me to Partner. He very specifically has been asking for one for years and I finally remembered at the same time I was gift shopping. And oila.
Atlas Coffee Club Subscription - My brother and his GF got us a subscription to Atlas Coffee Club! Which also comes with beautiful packaging. I love this gift so much. Not just because it’s a consumable gift (my fave), but also that it is a gift I’m always asking for and was actually gifted it. It’s like a double gift. The gift itself and the being seen/heard as a result of receiving something you wanted. So special.
Dirty Coast K&B T-shirts - This is a gift I got for myself and for my partner. K&B are our initials and also the logo of a beloved shuttered grocery convenience store in NOLA.
I did buy gifts for other people, so my favorite thing I bought as a gift was these custom couples lego set for my brother and his girlfriend!
Okay, here’s one non-holiday thing I bought*. Written by the very thoughtful and hilarious hosts of the podcast FANTI. Can’t wait to dive in and cackle for days.
(*Affiliate Link, FYI)
What I Li(n)ked
Haha I would not write for free and writing is sad 🤷🏽♀️. Sarah is the best professional organizer, btw. Highly recommend if you’re looking for one.
These baby skis so cute. I almost bought them, but they’re easy to rent so it doesn’t make sense.
What I Can’t Stop Thinking About
Hollywood is sooooo dead right now. There are not very many jobs going around. It’s never been this slow since I’ve came into the biz in 2010. I know the cause. It’s a combo of the strikes, the new year and things usually being slow, the “streaming bubble bursting,” and covid changing everything. Whatever the cause, I’m feeling it. I’m feeling so melancholy. It’s like The Great Depression - not just a financial depression but also an emotional one that results from that slow down. This is a business that is usually faaaaaaast. Like, you find out on a Friday that you’re starting a new job on a Monday and have to spend all weekend reading and getting prepared. Like, you work for 6 months on something and you move on. It’s also a business based on relationships. Those work friendships are real friendships when you’re a creative and collaborator. And with a slow down in work, it means a slow down in the emotional sustenance even having a job usually provides. I’m sure this is what most people felt during Covid. For screenwriters, work slowed but wasn’t this slow. The industry halted, but writing was one of the last things to slow down because we could so easily do it remotely.
I know a lot of people and have a lot of great relationships in this business and historically that’s how you built both a community and job security over the years. But right now, despite all my relationships, I don’t know that anyone has anything for me (or anyone else). And I certainly don’t have anything for anyone else. I know this won’t last forever. I know how to address it to the extent that I can for the time being. I know it’s not me being bad at my job. I know everyone is feeling this exact same thing, and there is certainly some solace in that solidarity. But it is still stressful. I hate seeing my friends so bummed out and uncertain of the future. I’m chipper as fuck and it’s even coming for me! Sorry to be a downer, but much like the pandemic, there’s just no denying things are slow right now and that has a real impact on people.
Yay! Fun! Yeah, I know I sound so emo. I am not actually noticeably in a bad mood, or even struggling. I have a therapist. We’ve discussed all of this. I’m just nervous about how things will shake out and eager for some uptick. Excited to work again, yes, but excited to work with people again soon, too. And really want people to know, if you’re feeling particularly insufficient right now, trust me, it’s not you, it’s the biz.
To end on a laugh, I had the funny realization that I love t-shirts with graphics of sports I don’t play with any regularity. Although, we are going xc skiing next week, finally!
What should I aim for next? Curling? Golf?! Netball???!!! Don’t forget to let me know if you want in on movie club.
Until next Letter,
K.