Fri-Yay #4

I think this week has been a bit of a let down for me. The tropical storm really put me down. I haven't really been able to do much but oh well. I've watched some TV, but mostly re watches of shows where I don't have to think too hard. 

I've been trying to keep up with the protests (local and national) in the United States and even abroad. I thought some of the protests abroad were also about racism in those countries. I've seen some weird shit when I traveled a bunch. I guess I'm friendly enough that people opened up far more than they should have. Nowhere is perfect I guess. 

Watching brands jump on the BLM movement only to be called out by former employees is a bit of schadenfreude isn't it. Like, come on. Can you really say you support BLM or Pride or anything if you're not treating employees well? Apparently it seemed like a gimmie marketing gimmick. Performative ally-ship to be honest. I know Diet Prada has gathered information about this. It's not just clothing brands though, for instance, Beautylish claims to support BLM but sells Jeffrey Star makeup. Star has done so many racist things I can't even fathom how his brand hasn't self-exploded. I guess having outdated, tacky packaging is just sooooo important. Beautylish can answer some questions but they tend to ignore the ones about Star. I guess they don't want to try and rationalize his hate...granted, his fans will ignore anything bad he does and support him. I guess the only color Nils at Beautylish loves is green. I've been slowing going off them at a company because of the inclusion of Star. I don't support shit. I still have a $20 credit so once that's over they'll probably be dead for me. 

Well, that was a bit of a rant. I unfollowed Beautylish today. I was so over his ugly makeup being on my feed. Anyways. 

Listening

Sometimes I prefer to listen to content instead of watching when my head hurts, so I finished one podcast and started a new one (all while listening to some Conan episodes. The podcast I finished was called "Death In Ice Valley" about the death and discovery of the Isdal woman. It's hosted by two people, sometimes in monologue and sometimes in conversation. Sometimes there are interviews with other scientist, police officers and witnesses. 

This is a true crime case, based in Bergen, Norway. Bergen is a beautiful part of Norway and the woman was found in Isdalen Valley (or Ice Valley). This was during the Cold War era. The reason why the case is so infamous is that she died due to an overdose of sleeping pills and smoke inhalation, plus her body was burned. This was ruled a suicide (not disagreeing...just noting). Her possessions showed multiple identities but no correct one. DNA and other analysis has placed her birth date in the 1930s and in Germany (although raised in France or Belgium). Her identity is still unknown. People have connected her to foreign spy agencies, cold war shenanigans, domestic disturbances or just a sad suicide. 

The podcast ends with no set identity but with some new information. Her estimated age and where she was born was discovered during the podcast as well. The podcast was a BBC/NRK production. The BBC host (the man) had an accent that I swear is so familiar as a regional dialect but I've only heard it a few times. I still don't know what it is! The lady host is named Marit Higraff, an investigative reporter from Norway, she has a really soothing voice. 

Overall, I thought it was quite nice and very well done. I went and downloaded more of the BBC podcasts to give it a go. 

​I've just started SheDunnIt Podcast by Caroline Crampton. It's quite nice. It's a literary bent on mysteries. So far I've listened to one talking about the Crippen Murder and the authors who use poison in their domestic murder mysteries (like between husbands and wives), one on Agatha Christie dissapearing for days and what might have happened as well as how if affected her work, and how writers of early British mystery fame wrote LGBTQ+ characters. It's been great. I'm really enjoying it. It doesn't get too gory or grotesque which is nice. 

Reading

Mmm, well I mentioned Diet Prada. They've called out a few brands for fake allyship. This isn't a new thing for them, they call out plagerism when they see it. They also talk about the history of fashion and highlight some fascinating looks. I'm not a fashionista but I really enjoy following and learning. I think they're a fun follow. 

I also saw that Rachel Hollis (of the Girl Wash Your Face/MLM nonsense fame) is getting divorced. I didn't read her book. I don't find her interesting or inspiring and her love story with her future former husband is nauseating. She took lots of people for a ride though, but whatever, I'm not going to crow on anyone's divorce. I'm sure their kids are sad about it all. I just don't think she has any qualifications to give advice. She's not a licensed therapist. She's not a doctor. I mean, why would you follow her anyways? What am I missing here? 

I had to DNF a book. I wasn't jiving with it but that doesn't mean it was bad. The main character is an established career woman and photographer/forensic photographer. She's really surly to the FBI when they show up after she's attacked. Her love interest is younger, FBI agent dude. She had a few moments of "Not Like Other Girls" and he complained his last girlfriend took forever to get ready. They she wouldn't hand over evidence because her lab could do it better. Sure lady...wreck the court case because evidence is now compromised because there isn't a chain of custody. I had to stop. She was unlikable and he was an idiot. I just really hate the "not like other girls and I'm grumpy" lead lady characters and I hate when the dudes complain that their former partners do fairly normal things. Like, break up with her then dude. It's the second book I've DNFed from this author so I suppose it's just not meant to be. 

J.K. Rowling is being an ass. What's new I guess. There seems to be a thread of transphobia in the feminist and academic circles in the U.K. It's also not the first time Rowling has been transphobic. I don't know why she's so obsessed with other people but she's determined to make it so that women are only identified by their womb. Which is a pretty standard misogynistic approach to women. The feminist groups I hang out don't allow TERFs/FARTS (basically transphobes). I honestly think Rowling just misses the adoration of everyone in the world and she's not used to backlash from people. Like, I think she needs therapy. And to stop being an asshole. 

I started a new Georgette Heyer book (like, just started) called The Great Roxhythe. It's one of my last books from her that I have in my TBR pile I think. I picked it up from a used bookstore and it has notes from previous readers which I like. It's about a fictional spy loyal to Charles II in the UK (think: 1660sish). We'll see how it goes. 

Want to Buy

Honestly...not much! I have a ton of books to work through. I have enough tea cups and mugs to go forever. I've flirted with a high frequency face machine or an LED therapy tool for home use but I don't need it. They're technically not as strong as the ones at the spa. 

What I need to do is take off my gel polish and give my nails a rest. The gel polish lasted for over a week before wearing at the tips. Possibly not that amazing for most people but it's the longest nail polish has ever lasted for me. 

I do want some outfits from River Island. I struggle with them so hard. When I'm in the UK I tend to not like what they come out with and as soon as I leave they bring out some stunning items. Oh well...