In these pandemic times we find ourselves in, the world feels as though it’s been tossed upside down and cast asunder. I find myself alternating between deep dives into the news, reading the latest developments and coming to terms with the reality of what’s going on, and periods where I force myself to turn away and consume other media. These are some of the things I have turned to in these moments. They are by no means recommendations and they are not even necessarily good. It’s just a semi-random and not complete list of what I’ve been watching, reading, and listening to while I work through these decidedly weird weeks.
Books:
- Vacationland (http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/973114197). I moved to Maine over the summer.
- Science in Russia and the Soviet Union : a short history (http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/840334186). This is the only library book I brought home from campus the last day I was in my office. Loosely related to a research project I’m spinning up.
- Moby Dick (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2701/2701-h/2701-h.htm). See the podcast section below for some insight as to why now am I reading this beast.
Movies and Television:
- Tiger King. Need to have something to talk to my friends about in our group chats. What happened to Carole Baskin’s husband? Sound off in the comments.
- Vanderpump Rules. In my house we also watch plenty of other Bravo shows which I don’t like quite as much, but I will recommend VPR to everyone. The first few seasons of this show are truly transcendent reality television, if you don’t like them then there’s no hope in converting you.
- What Men Want. A fun little rom-com starring Taraji P Henson, who should be given all the roles she wants forever and ever.
Podcasts:
- Revolutions (https://www.revolutionspodcast.com/). I’m currently on the American Revolution, this is a great podcast just like the earlier History of Rome one.
- Throughline (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510333/throughline). Listen to every episode of this one, always brings the heat.
- Uhh Yeah Dude (https://www.uhhyeahdude.com/). Seatbelts
- Unlocking Us with Brené Brown (https://brenebrown.com/unlockingus/). Gotta stay grounded and self-aware in these times.
- Moby Dick Energy (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/moby-dick-energy-a-moby-dick-podcast). The only reason I would even attempt a book like this at a time like this.
Music
- The new Phish album Sigma Oasis. It’s good!
- New Haim “The Steps.” Love Haim, love this song.
- Lofi hip hop radio – beats to relax/study to. If you don’t know, now you know.
- Classic Grateful Dead like American Beauty and Europe ’72. Comfort food for the ears.
- Comforting jazz that I often return to: Coltrane, Miles, Jaco, plus some new things like BANDEMIC. Instrumental music helps clear my mind.
- JEMP Radio (https://jempradio.com/). Phish, Dead, and other jamband music streaming 24/7.
I’m had to move my teaching online and have been doing other stuff besides all this nonsense. If you’re reading this, know that I love you and hope to see you in person soon. We’re living through a global tragedy and I can only hope that we make it through and imagine how to collectively heal our world and create a more just environment. The pandemic has revealed the cracks in our society like never before and the need for justice is as urgent as ever. Now, I’m off to wash my hands!