I almost told you a commuter anecdote, and then I was like, I can’t subject you to another train story.
Then I was gonna tell you about how I’m a craft time disaster and about the despotic overlord I become when safety scissors and glue sticks come within three feet of construction paper and my lil boys.
That needs a few months’ processing before it’s ready for air time.
So instead, I’m rolling into your inbox this week with some recs that’ll make your life better.
And as the character Maui as voiced by Dwayne the Rock Johnson in Disney’s Moana sings, “You’re welcome.”
Quality TV:
Julia on HBO Max. I’ve flipped a lot of omelettes in the past five weeks as a result of this terrific show. Heartful relationships and performances.
We’ve also just started Hacks starring Jean Smart, and it’s good. I’ve laughed a lot in the first few episodes. Looks like Season 2 starts tomorrow as well!
Reading:
One of my dear MFA students gifted me Facing the Music: A Broadway Memoir by Musical Director David Loud, the Ted Lasso of the theatre business, and so far it’s delightful.
On the social:
Do you know about Armen Adamjan? Creative Explained on Instagram.
I love his content, and today I soaked my banana peels for 2 hours before feeding our houseplants with the nutrient rich nay-nay water. ?
And just to restore a little faith in humanity if you’re caught in a doom scroll spiral, you gotta follow the Good News Movement.
Best chocolate cake recipe?
Hands down, it’s this one from my girl Ina Garten. You won’t find a better one. You just won’t.
Best coffee?
2 of them are Fortuna Coffee out of NC. They brew it at Delicious Bakery which is just a gem of a place in Greensboro, NC, that we miss a lot.
And Stumptown Coffee that they serve at bougie and delicious Tatte in Boston. It’s special.
You wanna make some biscuits?
You heard from this hillbilly first that the best recipe I’ve run across is from a New York Times recipe by Mark Bittman. And it’s better with yogurt instead of buttermilk. My great grandma just slapped me from heaven.
And there you go — I hope these recs make your week a lil more artful, funny, encouraging, innovative, restorative, caffeinated, celebratory, and/or buttery.
And whatever you do, remember there’s only one you, and folks need to hear the story only you can sing.
Love much,
dan
ps School’s just wrapped up for me, so I got a lil more time on my hands. If you need a check in, brush up, audition prep, SOS, or an opportunity to make ridiculous sounds on Zoom, you know where to find me. ?
