The October Report
11 things of note
A monthly report on what I tried, even if I’m very late.
Sad to report that Gwen has moved on from Peppa Pig. I really liked that self-centered pig.
11 things I tried in October
2 Movies, both good
2 TV Shows, both good enough
4 Books, some finished
1 Dumb Dinner Party Game
1 Home Project, with a video
And 1 Really Good Parenting Tip!!!!!!!!
And some quick housekeeping at the end.
Thanks to this episode of The Sam Sanders Show with KPop Demon Hunters songwriter Mark Sonnenblick, plus the social pressure from a 5-year-old’s KPop Demon Hunters-themed birthday party, I finally watched KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) and I more than get the hype. This demon-slaying girl group had me tearing up on the elliptical and googling “Josie and the Pussycats where to stream.” Best of all, Gwen is obsessed with it too. She already asked to be Mira for Halloween next year.
Parenting Tip: If you’re a Toniebox owner and can’t wait for them to inevitably make a KPop Demon Hunters Tonie, get a customizable “Creative Tonie.” It allows you to upload up to 90 minutes worth of any MP3s, so you can technically upload the soundtrack. You can change out the files whenever you want, so if your kids fall out of love with a song, you can swap it for something else. Our girls both love slapping the box to get to “TAKE DOWN” (Gwen’s choice) or “Soda Pop” (Margot’s choice).
Josh and I watched the new Superman (HBO Max) movie on an iPad in bed as James Gunn intended. It was goofy, entertaining, and brightly lit.
TV Show Honorable Mentions:
Next Gen Chef (Netflix): Another new food competition show.
Running Point (Netflix): Daughter (Kate Hudson) must prove she can run her family’s professional basketball team. It’s a comedy that’s a comedy (I find myself needing to clarify this more and more). If you like Mindy Kaling (co-creator and exec producer) or Brenda Song (supporting actress), you’ll like this one.
I started four books this month but only finished two.
What A Time to Be Alive by Jade Chang was recommended by my friend Gina. Our unemployed protagonist loses her best friend in a dumb YouTube stunt accident, and accidentally finds a way to monetize her grief by become a self-help guru and social media influencer. The familiar setting of Los Angeles pulled me in, as I found amusement in every hyper-specific reference to restaurants and underrated landmarks.
Heart the Lover by Lily King is a book I went into pretty blind. I’m not sure if I finished it because it was good (and heartbreaking) or because it had crazy wide margins and spacious leading. Our aspiring writer protagonist finds herself in a love triangle with two condescending intellectuals — one pious and one with a ponytail.
Both books were under 300 pages, which is my night-reading sweet spot.
I could not finish How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. We have three protagonists—a young woman who is out of jail after killing a teacher in a DUI accent, an empty nester who volunteers to lead a book club at the jail, and the husband of the dead teacher. I love a book where all the characters intertwine but I wasn’t sure where the book was heading, so I pulled a Nathalie and read some spoilers on GoodReads. I want to spoil it for you because it’s baffling, but I won’t.
I started Flashlight by Susan Choi but my library hold ran out. I finally went to Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy and now it’s in my queue. A ten year old and her dad are walking along the beach in Japan and then he goes missing. It’s longer than 300 pages so I am waiting for a flight.
Okay, onto things that got me out of bed.
Have you ever finished up a dinner with friends and then impromptu asked everyone to attempt a standing long jump? We did. My sister-in-law came in first place at 83”. I did not come close. Try it at your next party. All you need is blue tape. Not for people with loose knees.
Josh and I built a grill counter for our backyard. While he did the hard work of measuring, cutting, and assembling all the wood, I got to do the easy part of tiling. I’m really pleased with our choice to use mix matched color tiles that Josh found on Etsy.
If you want the full HGTV experience, Josh put this cute lil video together:
Housekeeping!
I know we’re well into November, which means the year is almost done. And it also means… CHRISTMAS CARDS!
If you’ve received one from me in the past and have since moved addresses please text me. Mailing Christmas Cards is one of the few traditions Josh and I have kept since we started living together back in 2015(?) and I’d like you to be a part of it. If you’ve never received one before and believe you deserve one, text me. 😇 Don’t ask, don’t get!
Alright, until next time.
I am both inspired and jealous of the power tool using, project completing situation you have at your home. I love that you didn't wink at the irony of not finishing "How to Read a Book".