America and The Americans [#66]
Hello!
I am back in Seoul after 26 hours in DC, 36 hours in New York and 48 hours in LA. While there, in a real surprise, I accidentally stumbled upon the best corned beef hash of my life. Random. This week, my eldest daughter was spooked when she discovered her first loose tooth! It happened on the same day the baby weaned herself from nursing. So I am feeling pretty emotional about everyone growing up so fast. Long sigh.
Reading
Pay attention to the Census, it affects everything. A proposal for an EPA, of sorts, but for the digital public commons. The rest of the world is far ahead of the US when it comes to sunscreen. The inspiring Parkland student, Emma Gonzalez, as Joan of Arc. The Grist 50 is also pretty darn inspiring. A Waffle House worker's act of kindness. Delightful accounts of people who almost ran over Stephen Hawking. What to ask a job interviewer when you get the chance. "I love my mom a not normal amount." Ecstasy of your 20's, contentment of your 30's. Tinder, but for baby names. If you are casting about for a book, I just finished Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong, the former editor of Lucky Peach and love, love, loved it. (h/t Friend Kat)
Werk and Musings
Cultural recommendations from a few friends I saw in America. The view from Seoul on a potential Kim-Trump meeting.
Watching
THE AMERICANS RETURNS TODAY. This is the best show on television. It is ostensibly about Russian spy hijinks and features many terrible wigs. It is really about identity, loyalty and marriage. If you're not on The Americans train, get on it.
Adam Rippon's Vicepedia had me LOLing for real.
Barry just started on HBO. My friend Alec created it with Bill Hader. It asks an interesting question: What if you no longer want to do for a living the thing you're really good at?
Always love hearing your comments, quips and complaints so be sure to hit me back if you have any thoughts and/or recommended reading for future letters!
Steer clear of storms (and Stormy's),
E