Was debating sending a newsletter out today but thought what the hell! If you're in the mood to read, here you go! If not, hope you take the time to decompress from a crazy year.
This newsletter was started to share things outside the realm of footwear and how foreign affairs and policy affects us all. But I also selfishly started this as an outlet to start writing. Two fellow, founder friends and I had started a bi-weekly writing meeting (all with different writing goals) last year. But every time I showed up to our Zoom calls, I couldn't get any words down. This went on for weeks until I finally gave up and decided to throw my energy around Moon Tides—a newsletter template we had drafted nearly two years ago but for whatever reason, took me way too long to get out into the world. But here we are now—41 weeks in!
Thanks for sticking with me! I'll leave you with a sweet note I received a few weeks ago from a reader.
I forgot to include this in my holiday round-up last week but this series is a must-watch! The first season debuted back in 2018 and they just concluded the final season this year. It's an adaptation of the Italian novel L'amica geniale or My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, by a pseudonymous author of the Neapolitan Novels, whose real identity has never been revealed. Years ago, when I read the first install, there were rumors that Jhumpa Lahiri was actually Elena Ferrante as Lahiri had begun publishing novels in Italian and she and Ferrante have the same Italian-English translator, Ann Goldstein. 👀 Apparently, Goldstein does not know the identity of Ferrante and communicates via her publisher.
The series follows the story of two friends, Lenù and Lila, from a working-class neighborhood in post-war, Naples, Italy, from childhood through adulthood—love and jealously abound. I recently looked up the young actresses and was shocked to learn they were only 15/16 years old at the time of filming. Incredible given how mature their performances were. The casting of an older Lilu in Season 4 was perfect—just look at the 2nd photo above, stunning! Amazing how much storyline was packed into a single episode. Feels like you're watching a short film every week and they did this consistently for 4 seasons.
The episodes are slowly paced and I think that's why the character development is unmatched compared to other series. 10/10 recommend. Watch in Italian with subtitles. 🙇🏾♀️
A great photo essay on how various ethnic groups are working to preserve their traditions including the art of embroidering vyshyvankas (traditional embroidered shirts). 🇺🇦
I was watching one of my guilty pleasures, Virgin River (it's awful but it has a hold on me—perfect mindless viewing) when I first heard this version of Pony. I didn't realize it was recorded back in 2018 but always love a Pony cover, especially if it's by Leon Bridges! 🐴
