Read
Rainbirds, by Clarissa Goenawan - This was an overall sweet story about love, lust, and what ultimately drives us to do both good and bad things. The student-teacher storyline was a little uncomfortable for me. I don’t think the author intentionally made this so; it walked a very fine line between “appropriate and not” and my own psyche immediately categorized it as “not”, making me uncomfortable anytime it came up. I did appreciate the Miwako Sumida tie in, having just finished that book a few weeks ago.
Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro. Overall, I really liked this novel. Knowing it was written by Ishiguro set the bar high but I didn't go in with any specific expectations. Throughout reading, I found myself wanting to know more about the world outside of what we're presented through Klara, even getting a little annoyed about some of the lack of detail or context. Though the more I think about it, after finishing the book, the more I've come to appreciate how limiting the reader's view to Klara's view really enhanced the story.
Watched
Kid 90 (2021) - I didn't watch this for entertainment nor did I learn anything new from it. I think I watched it because someone had recommended it but, I watched really with mild interest. Soleil Moon Frye is intriguing but the overall arc of this documentary is pretty "standard" for a child actor. I will say, my interest in celebrities has been sharply declining over the past few years; I think I'm tired of the narcissism and what mostly comes across as cries for attention.
What We Left Behind (2019) - This fan-funded Star Trek: DS9 documentary was fascinating. I didn't pay much attention to the series when it first aired, only really knowing it from the recent rewatch that my wife and I did. It's too bad that it didn't get its due during its airing. I think it's one of the more well-done Star Trek series we have.
Brooklyn 99 - currently at s3 e9. At this point I'm only in it for Captain Holt (Andre Braugher).
Falcon and The Winter Soldier - currently at s1 e5. Definitely continues to be well done all around.
Listened
This week’s rotation included David Bowie, Japanese Breakfast, Rush, Megadeth, Social Distortion, and G.O.W.E..
[Single] “Good Time, Baby” by Strange Relations - it’s so simple but the baseline just hit me at the right time, right place, right mood.
[Podcast] ZigZag Podcast, episodes 1 & 2 - This "season" the podcast is releasing episodes as part of the "Zig Zag project", a series of episodes and exercises that are supposed to help you "align personal values with professional goals". Host Manoush Zomorodi is a good guide for doing thing like this, in my opinion from her previous podcasts and books. Episode 3 is coming this week.