Hello hello! This week, I’ve had the pleasure of catching a cold. Everything you’re now reading is a result of that.
I hope it’s coherent. 🤞
Cuddle Up With Reality TV…and Sasquatch?
We all know how ridiculous reality TV can be. Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of the contestants and crew while it’s being made?
In Samantha Allen’s novel Patricia Wants to Cuddle, you get exactly that and then some. Told from the perspective of each of the final four girls on a show called The Catch (eerily similar to The Bachelor), and one of the show’s producers, you’ll find out that reality for these girls is even stranger than fiction.
From the self-obsessed clout chasers to the girl who doesn’t know why she ever agreed to be on such a stupid show, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to hear each character’s interpretation of how events were unfolding as they got closer to the season finale on their “island” getaway.
It was also fascinating to hear from Casey, the show’s producer who fully knows just how sleazy it all is, yet revels in the feeling of control she has by dictating the final edit.
“She knows they’re just buttering her up for more camera time, but still. Even tyrants—and Casey can admit she is one—like to be liked. Their forced kindness makes her feel like the girl with glasses who gets made over in a rom-com, but without the anxiety of actually having to get a makeover.”
As the story unfolds, the formulaic nature of the show gets shaken up and turned on its head. It’s thrilling, campy, and heart warming all at once.
Without giving too much away, let’s just say the book is very queer and they discover the importance of respecting the locals.
Read it for yourself to see what I mean!
NyQuil Fever Dream Musings etc. etc.
“A Royal Bath | ASMR Servant Roleplay” and “The Cursed Life of History’s Most Inbred Princess”
“Join me and My 15 POUND RED CABBAGE” and “Meet Violet Hensley, the 109-year-old whittling, fiddling Ozarks native”
I really don’t like being sick (like anyone does), but I also don’t like taking any kind of drowsy medication unless I really need to. And boy was I in for a treat this time.
My YouTube algorithm tends to be all over the place, and I’ve been watching more history videos lately. As I was about to drift off in my NyQuil-induced haze, I for some reason decided it would be a good idea to scroll.
Bad idea.
I legitimately couldn’t tell if my feed was real or imagined, so I had to screenshot it for evidence. Sure enough, I checked my camera roll the next day and it was indeed real.
I’m linking the videos below in case they’re of any interest to you. Watch at your own risk.
P.S. I’m kind of obsessed with Gerald Stratford (cabbage guy) and his matching cabbage outfit. What a king. I guess sometimes good things do come from NyQuil fever dreams after all.
Look at this diva!!
The fuzzy jacket and bucket hat combo goes unreasonably hard.
A Gift Guide for Weird Girls
It’s always a good time to buy a weird girl a gift, and the holidays are right around the corner. I’ve put together a list of favorites to spark some inspiration. Or add to your own wishlist!
Looking to add some whimsical clothes to your rotation? Look no further. I’ve had my eye on Highly Liquid’s medieval collection for a while now. Each piece is the perfect mix of cute and creepy in my humble opinion. Featured above is the Illuminated cami.
Keeping with the esoteric theme, you can’t go wrong with a coffee table book from Taschen’s Esoterica collection or literally anything from Spellbound Sky. While Spellbound Sky’s brick and mortar store recently moved from LA to Palm Springs, they offer all kinds of fun metaphysical goodies via their online shop. I personally adore their candles and roll-on oils. The Belladona Luna Scented Ritual Candle is one of my favorites and it smells divine.
Speaking of smelling divine… for all you fragrance-heads out there, Moonmilk by Stora Skuggan is a holy grail scent for me. Described as “a sunny scent with a nighttime shadow,” what’s not to love?
Whether you know someone who has it all together or could use a friendly nudge, yearly planners from The Rainbow Vision are as beautiful as they are practical. I ordered mine last month and can attest to it looking just as great in person as it does in the photos.
Last but not least, I highly recommend Apartamento Magazine for any creatives in your life. From photos of stunning yet relaxed interiors to interviews with artists of all kinds, it’s a treat to flip through and it’s sure to leave whoever reads it feeling inspired.
Weird Girl of the Week: Eileen "Candy" Merill in The Deuce
I’ve been absolutely devouring The Deuce on HBO Max. The show came out in 2017, and I’m glad because it means I can binge all 3 seasons with reckless abandon.
Taking place in 1970s New York City, the show gives viewers a glimpse into the city’s seedy underbelly and all of the people who keep its nightlife running—from crooked cops, mobsters, business owners, sex workers, and more.
While there are plenty of colorful characters, Eileen (aka Candy) is captivating. She makes her foray into adult filmmaking as the show progresses, and her character development offers a triumphant glimmer of hope. Not all characters are quite as fortunate.
Later in the first season, she gets the rare opportunity to take over a film set behind the lens when Harvey, the director, can’t make it. She leads with an instinctive sense of empathy for the women on set and a keen artistic eye, which provides an alternate vision for the industry.
“It’s why her ethos as a filmmaker — when Harvey runs late, she gets to take over the set one day — is so naturally feminist: lifting women up, allowing them to explore what turns them on in a context that realistically translates for the camera. She tells actresses to be themselves, to let go of their actual inhibitions so as to communicate, through film, what women are actually capable of.”
Eileen’s character made me curious. Is she purely fictional, or could there be some truth behind her? Upon further investigation, I found out that she’s based on several badass women.
“There were actually two real women who went into forming Candy's character, according to series creator David Simon, but they weren't the only influencing factors. Candy also grew and changed during production, especially with the input of Gyllenhaal, who did a lot of research to make sure Candy's experiences were honest and real in the eyes of the viewers.”
The show isn’t perfect by any means. For example, James Franco is in it… as more than one character. Wonder whose idea that was.
Regardless, it makes me happy to know that there was care and attention given to the stories of women who so often don’t receive the dignity or recognition they deserve.
Cheers to them. 🥂
Here you are, you’ve made it to the end.
Stay weird and stay festive, my friend.
Speaking of festivities… head on over to my Instagram if you haven’t yet.👇