Dear People,
As you know, Facebook has made the traditional Christmas letter a relic. What I craft on there is really the best version of me I could come up with —- sans totally lying. Also, really, if we aren’t connected on social media in one way or another we’ve lost touch years ago anyway. So, I’m going a different way with this. Straight up truth.
This year, I left (not of my choice) corporate America (by which I mean working for a European-based company from the comfort of my own home — mostly on my laptop in my bed, in my PJs) and returned to my roots in the arts (where I have to dress cute in a full face of makeup every day and work in an shared windowless office with two Millennials who misinterpret my age all the time by assuming I like Norah Jones and don’t really know what a meme is). While this was a brave and impressive move for my soul, it did not bode well for my finances. Hence there are no exciting vacations or purchases to brag about. We’re not starving (yet), but we’ve had to cut ties with STARZ and Hulu.
Thus I’ve been spending a good deal of time this year with Martin Sheen in both a rewatching of The West Wing and in discovering Grace & Frankie. If I watch both at night, I sometimes dream that President Bartlett is married to Jack McCoy from Law & Order. As you know Lily Tomlin is in both shows as well, which probably gives me even greater joy. She is freaking gorgeous not for 79 years old but for any years old. Move over Ruby Rose, she’s this year’s girl crush.
The other main person in my life this year seems to be Dichen Lachman as Supergirl, Being Human, Agents of Shield, and Shameless are also currently living together in my Netflix Continue Watching queue. This was not planned, but I am happy that she is getting regular work. Her best work, however, might be Aquamarine, which as a mother of girls, I have watched over 20 times (not always with them though). Every time I see someone wearing starfish earrings, I know they are magical talking ones.
Speaking of magic, this year I learned that I can literally keep watching Thor: Ragnarok daily (in 10 minutes at a time chunks) over and over again and not get sick of it. The news of a Tom Hiddleston-led Loki series on the new Disney streaming channel (take my money now, mouse bitches) was perhaps the highlight of my year. That is not exaggeration. Thanks to MoviePass (wasn’t that a fun time while it lasted?), I saw Infinity War five times in the theatre and cried every time Loki died in that bullshit way. In spite of daily articles being sent to me (yeah, like you don’t have a THiddy Google Alert too) with theories as to how Loki faked his death at the hands of (worst, cartoonish, not even vaguely scary villain ever) Thanos, I am not delusional to jump on that bandwagon. I’ve made my peace with it.
I also saw Ant Man 2, Black Panther, Ocean’s 8, and Crazy Rich Asians multiple times this year. Awkwafina is my favorite superhero.
The Christmas Prince: Royal Wedding was a ginormous let down. I don’t know what bothered me more, recasting Amber’s dad or that King Richard (not a Prince — a King, loud sigh, Netflix) doesn’t know what a limerick is. But this hasn’t left me jaded. I intend to spend the remaining weeks of 2018 watching whatever holiday crap video streaming throws at me. Life Size 2 is high on my list.
Speaking of high, my fellow Californians have been easier to deal with this year. Aside from the fires and mudslides, I feel a little safer here from the rest of the country’s bullshit. And if you insist, I will happily take partial credit for the Blue Wave that washed all up on Orange County’s shores last month. I moved back home behind the Orange Curtain and pushed the liberal agenda over the edge. I also produced two members of Gen Z who rightfully are kicking all of our asses into gear. They personally spurred me on to two different marches this year where we had signs and everything. A lot of other stuff happened, but I can’t remember what exactly, but I feel like there’s hope back in the game.
And that is the most upbeat you’ll find me this holiday season, so I’m signing off now before I fall into an ugly cry hate spiral over all the reasons I’ve had to watch so much TV every night so that I can sleep.
Joy to the world, motherfuckers!
