We’re all doing pretty good this month? No, we’re not going to question it. July was actually pretty cool! We enjoyed some tasty treats, shows, drugs, and experiences. Read on for secondhand joy 🌈.
Love,
B, C, & M
Webtoons! (It was only a matter of time…)
Y’all I really love the internet. I love YouTube, I love TikTok, I love AO3, and more recently I LOVE Webtoon. Because people are just out here pouring their heart and soul into some amazing content and art–– FOR FREE. Humans really are such beautiful, sweet little creatures who want to share their passions and love with the world.
This past month (when I haven’t been racing through all of Sarah J. Mass’ fantasy series) I’ve been bingeing Webtoons which are free weekly comics written and drawn by independent artists. Naturally, I found myself browsing the Romance section
My first favorite is called ‘Let’s Play’ about a young indie video game designer who gets hate raided by the fans of a popular online gamer. Only to find out the next day that he has moved in next door to her!
My second fave is called ‘Morgana and Oz’ which is about a young witch who struggles to control her magic and accidentally turns a vampire into a cat. As she helps to change him back a lovely little friendship develops. It gives me big Studio Ghibli vibes!
If you’re a fan of comics, manga, or anime I hope you’ll give these toons a chance and support these lovely indie artists!
The Cheesiest K-Drama EVER.
My friend Amanda and I recently had some time to kill. Both being avid Korean Drama fans, we decided to tackle Netflix’s 2021 series ‘The King’s Affection.’ And boy oh boy was it cheesy. And I mean that in the most loving way possible.
If you’re familiar with K-Dramas then you’ll be familiar with some of the tropes. Like some overacting choices, some romantic clichés (she fell and her caught her in a way that would make it very easy to kiss!!), etc, etc. But this show dialed it up to 100. I’m not even sure I can recommend it to every one because it was just so goofy with the longing stares, unnecessary parkour, and “secret” conversations happening while someone is so obviously standing within earshot but will be ignored for the sake of the plot. But it swept me up in its sweetness all the same.
Basically, our leading lady, due to some distressing circumstances, has to live her life as a man AND a prince during the Joseon Dynasty. Most of my love for this show is because our leading man, the silly and kind Ji-Woon, falls in love with “the prince” and doesn’t FOR ONE SECOND question having feelings for another man. And we love that for him.
So, if you’re looking for a historical drama that isn’t afraid to gender-bend and just lets guys be dudes then you should check this out. Or check it out if you really, really love soap operas.
A quick midweek meal
I’m not the chef in my relationship but I can follow a recipe! There’s nothing better than finding easy recipes that have huge flavor payoff, especially after a long work day. This month I made this recipe twice and it’s definitely in the rotation for future meal planning. The curry paste I used comes in a vegan alternative if that’s your vibe and then all you’ll have to do is sub out the fish sauce with soy sauce and it’s 100% veg friendly. 💚
This is a panang curry you can whip up in the time it takes your rice cooker to finish cooking your rice. A quick trip to H Mart or 99 Ranch and you’ll easily find all the products you’ll need! And of course, the leftovers taste better the next day.
Binge-able shows
I’ve said time and time again that I love a 20-30 min show with 10 or less episodes in a season. This month I have 2 to recommend to you!!!
I’m sure you’ve all seen the hype around Hulu’s The Bear. I’m here to confirm it’s fantastic. 8 episodes and renewed for season 2. If you liked the anxiety inducing rush Uncut Gems gave you, then you’ll love this chaotic show with who Twitter has dubbed “ketamine Gene Wilder.”
Maya Rudolph plays an out of touch billionaire who’s recent divorce is forcing her to reconnect to the real world. The show is light, funny, and just a good time. 8 episodes.
Euphoric haircuts
I spent last month like I spent the last year—thinking about my gender, my childhood, and moving toward security in my body. Though my family and partners always praised it, my long hair felt like a burden for…my whole life actually. So this month, I followed my feelings and cut my hair short! Here’s how the convo with my hairdresser went:
Me: “Make me look like Breckin Meyer in Clueless!”
Them: “What about a dash of Clea DuVall in But I’m a Cheerleader?”
Me, mouth agape: “...dealio.”
I am ecstatic over the cut. It’s tousle-able and gender shapeshifty. All parts of me are represented—the Warped Tour kid, the “little big boy” (me in inner-child mode), the femme drag goblin, and the cigarette. All of us are thrilled to not have pretty-girl hair anymore. We look as ready for adventure as we feel inside!
I guess this is your monthly reminder to trust yourself and treat yourself. If there’s something you suspect might make you happy, you’re probably right.
Smooshing friends together
Some people have a knack for building community, but it’s daunting to introduce your friends to each other. Right now, I yearn for a local crew like I had in college—we could always drop by the campus radio station to see who was DJing or chilling, and we all went to shows together! I’m also missing my high school friends, who still feel like a chosen family to me today even though we all live far apart.
This month, I smooshed some friends together and was smooshed by friends with other friends, and I came away with tips for making your community feel less compartmentalized and more mycelial.
Go slow — relationships are not built over one hang. Ask people who they connected with the most, and try to get them together in the future!
Plan activities — it eases social anxiety to have an agenda! Recently I hosted friends for collage-making dates and a clothing swap. Everyone had a blast, bonded, and got to take home a treasure.
Do drugs together — especially molly! It really cuts through the small talk and helps you appreciate everyone’s unique essence. I felt an instant connection with friend-of-a-friend Connor, a gentle bro whose prized treasure is a jade seahorse.
Follow the vibe — drugs can also help with this, lol. Don’t force connections and don’t feel obligated to like a friend’s friend just because. Only you and your body know which people feel amazing to you.
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