Not a travel blog
Lack of turquoise shirts, 'My bipolar life and the horse that saved me', House of Hammer, Bennifer, The White Rapper Industrial Complex, Australia's heartthrob, Oldies dancing better than me and more!
As I’m sure my instagram and previous newsletter made painfully obvious, I am currently in Europe! (Along with half of Melbourne). It seems Europe in July is the new Hope St, every other person and their ex is here, it’s overly Instagrammed, and true wealth is revealed (yes, I see your accommodation and those restaurants…)
Apologies it’s been so long since the previous newsletter and will probably be a while until the next one. I’m determined not to make this a travel blog, I can’t think of anything worse than reading someone’s, a level of self absorption too far. Much better to hear the filtered highlights of my travels when I return, or what I can fit on a postcard which I’ve realised I’ve promised to far too many people (including 3 local businesses…).
Anyways the glitz and glam of my trip are on my Instagram, but the luxury posted is a little far from the reality of my trip, which I assure you has a few backpacking nightmares, including but not limited to: sleeping in tents in 40 degrees, living off biscuits in exchange for the occasional amazing fancy dinner, nightmare ferry rides, swimming with dead fish (and a failed attempt to swim to an island), and my current accommodation… staying with a woman with 5 cats who doesn’t speak English but keeps messaging me on airbnb that she is crying…
I should also warn, this newsletter has been in the drafts for a while, mainly because I haven’t had time and also since I’m spending less time on the internet I really don’t have much to recommend or have any funny pop culture hot takes.
Anyways, enough rambling, here’s a rather discombobulated newsletter…
And to set the tone, an accurate representation of me in Italy right now:
This week:
Held back by a lack of turquoise shirts
My bipolar life and the horse that saved me
Scomo- they/them
Raised by wolves
Porridge eating politics
House of Hammer
Unspoken Aussie agreements
If the ABC has a fan…
Australia’s heartthrob strikes again
The latest product of the White Rapper Industrial Complex
Another Minefield episode
Bennifer is not a sign to get back together with your ex
She that is Notting Hill
Old people can dance better than me
The latest product of the White Rapper Industrial Complex
Held back by a lack of turquoise shirts:
Another reason you won't be getting a travel blog out of me, is the distinct failure of my wardrobe to meet what seems to be the quintessential travel host attire requirements.
Namely, a lack of exceptionally brightly coloured outfits (oh and the small age difference).
However, in honour of what I might one day become, here are some favourite SBS/ ABC classics, all sympathetic to the turquoise linen:
Joanna Lumley
Michael Portillo
Tony Robinson
Rick Stein
Although, this is probably setting the bar too high, (I come from parents who almost exclusively black, or navy if they’re feeling radical…)
My bipolar life and the horse that saved me:
Relax, I haven’t totally lost it in Europe and become a horse girl, although if anyone was going to convert me it would be that Adam Driver Burberry ad as some may recall... Side note, Adam Driver reportedly is filming a new movie in the town I was staying in!!!
Adam Driver aside, this section is about my struggle to find English books in Europe. As family and friends know I’m adamantly opposed to the kindle (my Macbethic downfall?). Cate was very patient with me during the first part of our trip as I scoured bookshops each week for a new book and for the most part, failed to find anything other than 50 Shades of Grey.
In one hostel, much to Cate’s amusement I was so desperate I almost read the only English book they had: My Bipolar Life And The Horse That Saved Me. A title if I’ve ever seen one.
Continuing with the book desperation, last week I was in a bookshop with the biggest english section I’ve come across and I found a book for 4 euros (approx $6 aud) which would usually be $42+ in Melbourne… my bargain brain kicked in I bought it without thinking. The title of the book? War and Peace.
Yep, that 1000 page epic, War and Peace. Clearly no follow through thought went into this as I’ll now be lugging “a defense tool” as a friend described it, around with me. Have I learnt nothing from the 1Q84 New Years fiasco?
Scomo- they/them:
In other news, apparently Scott Morrison secretly appointed himself to multiple ministries when he was Prime Minister…
Gives a whole new meaning to the “that’s not my job” quote… I think the bigger question is; What wasn’t his job?
And here my Pic Collage skills strike again!
Raised by wolves:
First of all, great title. It’s Jess Ho’s new book about growing up Cantonese in the aussie suburbs which then led her to the Melbourne restaurant hospo scene in the early 2000s… And no suprise it turns into a bit of a tell all of the allure and dysfunction of hospitality.
Unfortunately it came out AD (now christened AD- After Europe and likewise, BE Before Europe) and isn’t available in Italy but I listened to her talk about it with Indira Naidoo on 774 Radio National (I should really be getting paid for all my ABC promotion) in which she covers the trauma bonding that goes on in long night hospo shifts, the recreation of abusive family dynamics, people pleasing, drugs, and white chef’s fetishisation of Asian food culture. Anyways, I can’t wait to read it. Here’s the link to her interview with Indira:
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nightlife/eat-out-in-raised-by-wolves/13995824
On a similar note, Youngmi Mayer did a podcast with Vanessa Marigold talking about similar things in the hospo world, who/why people are drawn to it, with some traumatic and funny stories of thier experiences. The podcast is called Hairy Butthole, after the Korean saying that “if you laugh whilst crying hair will grow out of your butthole”.
Here’s the episode: https://joysauce.com/podcast/hairy-butthole/e06/
Porridge eating politics:
Speaking of books and food, I stumbled upon this short story before I left Melbourne (BE) and loved it, I can’t even explain why, it’s predominantly an inner monologue of a woman going about her day but written beautifully (and with a very impressive vocabulary). I found her bluntness and descriptions of daily life surprisingly funny.
Here’s a little excerpt I liked: (describing the correct time to eat porridge)
If a neighbour has been overheard or the towels folded the day’s too far in and porridge, at this point, will feel vertical and oppressive, like a gloomy repast from the underworld. As such, in all likelihood, a submerged stump of resentment will begin to perk up right at the first mouthful and will very likely preside dumbly over the entire day. Until, finally, at around four o’clock, it becomes unfairly but inevitably linked to someone close by, to a particular facet of their behaviour in fact, a perpetually irksome facet that can be readily isolated and enlarged and thereupon pinpointed as the prime cause of this most foreboding sense of resentment, which has been on the rise, inexplicably, all day, since that first mouthful of porridge.
You can read the rest of it here:
The New York Times described her novel the short story is in, titled Pond as “Her witty misanthropy is here to ward off mental scurvy”.
I would also like to note that this book represented a new financial low, which comprised of me taking photos of all the pages of this book in the library to later read on my phone…
House of Hammer
Moving across to mindless celebrity news. Perhaps the most bizarre/disturbing celebrity story of the past few years has been the Armie Hammer cannibalism accusations. Anyways, it seems we are finally getting an answer with a tell all documentary on Armie Hammer and what seems to be a history of abusive men in the family described by his aunt as “Succession but a million times worse”.
Bennifer is not a sign to get back with your ex:
JLo and Ben Affleck got married. Very happy for them. Love her. But lest we forget, this is not a sign to get back with your ex.
And a reminder that post breakups are brutal in the internet age and ARod will never be able to live down the time he posted this on his story??? Wild times.
Unspoken Australian agreements:
Whilst I promised this will not be travel blog, containing in the Aussie theme I did want to say, I have enjoyed the cliche unspoken agreement that goes between fellow Aussie travellers which involves lying to all foreigners about the dangers of Australia, “be careful of dropbears”, “kangaroos regularly box with humans”, “crocodiles often eat people” (an important national issue, depending on who you ask, we’re all thinking of a certain Mr Katter).
Strangely, what they don’t believe though, is that nationally, we all get Democracy Sausages for voting on election day. Genuinely, this has been the most shocking thing about Australia to anyone I’ve met, and most have called bullshit.
If ABC Radio National has a fan…
As some of you might remember, I love me a bit of 774 Radio National (with a special love for the Mighty Challenge). If they have a million fans I am one of them, if they have one fan, I am that one, if they have no fans, that means I’m no longer on this earth. (Jokes aside I probably do make up for 50% of their under 25 year old listener audience…)
Anyways, maybe it’s being alone overseas, having so much spare time, or missing Melbourne and wanting some familiarity, but I’ve even amped up my 774 listening.
Funnily enough, I’ve found I’m not the only one, someone I met in Naples says they’ve been waking up early to listen to ABC Grandstand, and a few others saying hearing the 774 Radio National News Bulletin is probably the most home-ly sound they could think of and will tune in next time they’re feeling homesick.
From this extensive research, I think overseas 20 something year olds, out of nostalgia/homesickness/familiarity are single handedly supporting the number of young listeners to the ABC.
Australia’s heartthrob strikes again:
What would this newsletter be without a mention of some crushes? Tony Armstrong proves yet again he can do it all. This time, giving an impromptu weather report and dancing off camera.
Annnd a petition for all news to be presented like this:
The latest product of the White Rapper Industrial Complex:
Speaking of ‘heartthrobs’ or maybe white boy rapper flavours of the month, Jack Harlow. The Met Gala crush who no one can pinpoint why he’s attractive but admits there is a certain charm.
Others describing him as a “government experiment à la Obama’s tan suit” - Hunter Harris
To that end, Harlow has been grouped in with the likes of Pete Davidson and Adam Driver, as many people dissect — and fret over — their attractiveness: Are these white men hot, or are they just tall, skinny, and somewhat talented? What spell have they cast over a segment of the public? How do we stop them?
Whether on Chicken Shop Date or the Met Gala carpet, the internet goes up in storm, personally I’m not totally convinced but it does reinforce my theory of The Rise of the Scrawny White Unattractive Man.
As always, Twitter importantly adds to the debate.
If you are puzzled by your feelings, Vox wrote an article:
https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/culture/22865896/jack-harlow-explainer-thirst
Another Minefield episode:
I often recommend a Minefield episode if you’re up for a philosophical/moral/political debate. This one is about whether anger is corrosive to moral life?
And this one is about how much polarisation democracy can take?
She that is Notting Hill:
Talking of old flames, I won’t say much other than I rewatched Notting Hill recently (reminder of my longstanding Julia Roberts crush) and boy did it age well! I’ve been hesitant to rewatch so many of the rom coms I loved growing up as most of them have aged badly, and it’s hard to look past their sexism and problematic storylines. But Notting Hill did not let me down!
I have also joined Hugh Grant and Spike’s goggle game, see below. I take swimming very seriously.
But in honour of this movie, here’s a clip that put a smile on my face. And a separate reminder we should all try to be a bit more like Spike.
Old people can dance much better than me:
To finish off, this is a very wholesome little section, firstly, here’s a video of all these older couples dancing tango in Lucca in the piazza, they kept going for hours!! I was completely in awe, and with a style and sophistication that only Italians can muster. The lovely gentleman in the yellow asked me to dance with him and whilst I couldn’t stop smiling it highlighted my total lack of tango skills (very fundamental!). When I die, please reincarnate me as an old Italian. (if you can’t see the video of the tango dancers click here).
Anyways, it also reminded me of of another brilliant dancing couple and a funny family story, which if I was ever asked on Songs and Stories would probably come up.
Growing up, we regularly had nights where we would all sit and watch Coldplay’s music videos from the X&Y album on DVD. For some reason, Lloyd and I find this particularly memorable. So many hits and good videos in that album. A particular favourite though is the music video for The Hardest Part which not only features brilliant 2000s fashion but the dance team Spencer (25) and Barbara (84). Just watch the video. I can’t pick my favourite bit. A guaranteed smile on your face. And man oh man can Barbs dance!
Tweet of the week:
To finish off, round of applause for the tweet of the week. Finally, somebody who gets it.
Finally, some of you messaged asking where my newsletter had gone, which made me very chuffed to know it was missed.
For the Melbourians stuck in winter, I hope you enjoy the rain as much as Drew Barrymore.
Love,
Rimini, (a name which in Australia evokes images of a beautiful small Italian town, makes Italians laugh and ask “Why?! Had your parents ever been?” Before going on to explain it as whatever the equivalent of whatever the bogan holiday destination of Australia is… Apparently, it did go off in the 80s though.