i'll be there for you
coz you're there for me too 𓆩♡𓆪
Good morning to all the Kiwis dealing with the results of the Rugby World Cup, and to everyone else who’s dealing with being a person in the world rn. I’m coming at you with a classic Luce hangover today (have you missed them?) but also with a LOT for us to catch up on.
First I wanted to tell/ show you all where I went on Friday because it was SO beautiful! (Close Friends have already seen it, obv!)
I went out to Sintra for the day (a place about 40 minutes outside of Lisbon) and look at these views:
After a beautiful day and what I can imagine was about 40,000 steps later, I settled in for a night on the couch to finish Sex Education with a big glass of red wine. Then, as I was readjusting the duvet I was snuggling into I SPILT THE WINE ALL OVER EVERYTHING.
Now, idk if you know this about me (but I think you do) I’m NOT very practical and surprisingly, wine stains aren’t actually something I’ve had to deal with before. But I’m going to tell you what I did in case this happens to you (and hey, if I had to go through it, you have to hear about it.)The first thing I did was assess the damage. There was red wine on the arm of the couch, all over the duvet cover, and the duvet inner. The next thing I did was prioritise. The couch was by far the most important thing to focus on here, so I got to work on that first. I started dabbing out the wine and then rung Normy to see if he had any hot tips on what to do next. A quick Google and stocktake of what I had in my house led us to a solution of one part dishwashing liquid to two parts cold water, and I started dabbing that into the couch.
Then I got a sponge and just water on its own and spent about half an hour dabbing that solution out.
Then I got a DRY cloth and started DABBING some more.
After about an hour and a half, I had GOTTEN THE STAIN OUT OF THE COUCH.
As for the duvet inner? I put table salt on the stains to try and draw out the wine, and then put it through the washing machine. It’s got minor stains, but nothing major. But the duvet cover… well, I had to cut my losses on that one to focus on the couch. It’s gone to a better home now.
I can’t imagine that story was that interesting for you, and maybe it’s simply a product of my current writer’s block, but Normy now insists that I add a new segment called ‘Shit You Should Clean About’ to this newsy each time something like this happens. Honestly, even though that sounds TOTALLY mind-numbing, the stain-free state of my couch tells me that maybe it’s not such a bad idea…
SORRY TO HAVE SKIPPED AHEAD but I’m 10 chapters into our Book Club book this month. It’s my first ever AUDIOBOOK and I have to say, I think I’m finally getting the hang of listening rather than reading. I almost have to put myself into a state of meditation (something that’s hard for me because, well, you know how this brain works) and even if I’m walking while listening to it, I absolutely CANNOT be thinking about anything else - not the map, not work, not how big the hill around the corner is - it’s been quite a process.
Also, Bel wrote the most BEAUTIFUL piece for No News Is Good News this week and I encourage you all to read it (and to become a paid supporter so you can read her life-changing words every weekend.) You won’t regret it!
💫 31 things I've learned from 31 years being alive 💫
Hello crushes, I love a list, you love a list, and now I have 31 things to put in one that might just speak to a fragment of existentialism you might be feeling this Sunday. Thought of all these things, then thought of you. xx
An internet blackout in Gaza
Protests around the world
Where to get trusted information on Israel-Palestine
Matthew Perry has passed away at age 54
Taylor Swift released 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
Some updates on Gaza
While we know that disgraceful and terrifying scenes continued in Gaza over the weekend, our access to it was completely cut off as Internet and phone services went down. This happened as Israel’s bombardment of the region intensified, and its military said it was “expanding” ground operations.
Meanwhile, protests have been ramping up all over the world. Tens of thousands of people gathered in a pro-Palestinian protest in London, hundreds of protesters calling for a cease-fire streamed into Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, Celtics fans defied their club’s orders and showed up with Palestinian flags, and we even saw protests in New Zealand, from Auckland to Dunedin.
As always, here’s where to get trusted information on Israel-Palestine:
Pointing you to the journalists out there who are covering this in-depth (have taken on a LOT of your suggestions, so thank you!)
A piece I read and loved: to bear witness
Explanations Are Not Excuses (Intelligencer)
And this podcast for anyone wondering about why the US act the way they do:
(If you have other sources you’d like to see covered here, I’m only an email away!)
How we can help!
Social media is currently awash with misinformation so I wanted to make sure that any info I passed on to you about places we could donate were safe, legitimate and effective.
This a list that has been compiled by CharityWatch, who’ve listed “legitimate, efficient, and accountable charities involved in efforts to aid and assist the people of Israel – Palestine during active conflict in the region.”
This is another list from Charity Navigator which includes only “organizations that are at least three years old, show a three-or four-star rating and have a track record of positive results in their region, among other requirements.”
Matthew Perry has passed away at 54
I know I’m not alone in saying that this news really rocked me. Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his house, according to the LA Times.
Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams, who leads the Robbery Homicide Division that is investigating Perry’s death, said the “cause of death may not be known for some time, but at this point foul play is not suspected.” The cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Since the news broke, tributes have been pouring out for Perry, from his co-stars on Friends to Justin Trudeau.
Talking about how he’d like to be remembered, Perry himself said this in his memoir last year:
Meanwhile, I got a little choked up over this post from an account I follow on Twitter:
Rest In Peace to a legend. Gonna watch 17 Again tonight in your honour.
Oh, and if you feel like crying, this did it for me.
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Taylor Swift released 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
AND HARRY STYLES IS SO LUCKY SHE KEPT SOME OF THOSE TRACKS IN THE VAULT FOR AS LONG AS SHE DID! In all seriousness, 1989 was never my fave album of hers (I’m more into her country stuff, sorry!) and the absence of the guitars in her re-recordings has made me a little sad. But, regardless, we must not support the stolen versions so I will deal with it!
Also, this video made me fall hook line and sinker for those Kelce boys:
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Oh and also, there’s a bit of fanfic drama going down about Traylor which I thought you’d be interested in.
If you wanna:
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xx
I'm only here for Shit You Should Clean About and Harry Styles gifs. Thank you for your service.
Thanks for continuing to share really good info about the war. I went to the Free Palestine rally in Melbourne, Australia yesterday with 50,0000 and I plan to keep going each week. Hoping I can get friends along with me too.