Hello from Indonesia, lovers and friends! We made it all the way to yet another Friday, can you believe it? For those of you who are new to Consumed, Friday Five is a recurring series where I share five things that will bring you joy and/or cathartic relief, because we all desperately need it. I am so happy you’re here.
Now, let’s get into it:
Song: We are going with something less in the overt joy realm and more in the beautiful catharsis world this week. I found out about Rufus Wainwright’s music, and specifically this haunting song, from Alanis Morissette and iTunes.
Hopefully at least one of my followers will remember the iTunes ‘iMix’ feature that allowed anyone to publish a public playlist (well before Spotify was around). Musicians and celebrities would have their playlists on iTunes along with short summaries on what those songs meant to them.
Like any reasonable teenager, my teen angst was validated and bolstered by Alanis Morissette’s music. When I came across her iMix, I listened to every song and only paid for the one that had the most emotionally resonant blurb. Her take on Poses was this: "When on tour and needing to drop off the radar, I would put this song on repeat and lie on the floor, stare at the ceiling, play it 10 times in a row, and sob” (Ed note: it took me hours to find any reference of this damn thing even with my photographic memory and only one website appeared to have it lol). Again, like any teenager — I felt that I needed something to help me ‘drop off the radar.’ I used a iTunes Gift Card to pay 99 cents for “Poses,” downloaded it onto my candy blue iPod, laid on the floor, and plugged in my headphones. I pressed play and stared at the ceiling, listening to it about 20 times in a row. Reader, I cried. A lot. I’m not even sure what meaning I was able to interpret from that song but Rufus’ voice stirred something in me. Every time I hear it, it still does.
Ten years later on a random summer night, I was “drunk and wearing flip-flops on Fifth Avenue,” just like a line in the song. I put “Poses” on immediately and cried tears of happiness, disbelief, and awe, right down Fifth Avenue.
Vital Information (for your everrrrryday life): I think nearly everything Mary Oliver wrote could be words to live by, and I don’t know if I feel that way about any other author. Here’s a beautiful reminder from her that we’re capable of so much, more than we could ever possibly imagine.
Historical Fact: Did y’all know Bob Barker from The Price is Right is still alive? He’s 99 years old! I don’t know what kind of Mandela effect is happening in my brain, but I was fully convinced he passed and that Drew Carey was the carrier of his legacy and important “spay and neuter your pets” message. This is truthfully the weirdest thing I’ve put in a Friday Five, but it brought me joy to know that he’s still on this earth and I’m sure it should please at least one of you weirdos, too.
TV Show: I already recommended Abbott Elementary as a must-watch when the show first premiered, but I feel compelled to give you all another reminder. This is the funniest show on television right now, there is a reason the team behind it (led by the incredible Quinta Brunson) are sweeping the awards circuit. Here is just one more reason to watch every episode of this hilarious and beautiful show:
Joyful Internet Content:
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Drunk and wearing flip flops on 5th Avenue,
Roya