What's IN/OUT this week

Happy Friday! Are we general striking today? I work for myself so the only man I would be sticking it to is me. But I WILL find other ways to support my community and not give Big Daddy Bezos any of my hard-earned pesos.   

IN: Dirty chai lattes. I have been sleeping on this combination and that is on me, dawg. I love chai tea. I love espresso. I love the fizzy essence of a foam-topped beverage. This drink was made for my now-frantically beating heart. OUT: Playing too much jazz. I’ve been in the mood for instrumental music while I work lately, but I have drained my patience for a squeaky saxophone. I’m now ISO something with more funk, and the Reddit goblins have at least blessed me with Eddie Harris and the cover/name of his 1975 album. Please drop some bop recs into my sweaty, open palms.

IN: Solution-oriented (new hairstylist edition). I am looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with my new stylist. I had my first appointment Saturday and she got to work. She listened, requested that I be direct, didn’t dwell on what wasn’t working, and got right down to a masterful dry cut, INVIGORATING shampoo, and visionary styling. Extra points for the salon having those blow-dry chairs I haven’t been microwaved in since 1996. OUT: Solution-oriented (landlord edition). The lights in the stairwell went out over the weekend so the lord of the castle put out some substitute wattage for us plebs. One such galaxy-brain example is still leaning in the corner of the second floor: A very dim touch light perched atop a beer bottle. Remember: Necessity is the mother of invention; Budweiser is the king of beers.

IN/OUT: Puppets. Chicago hosts an International Puppet Festival and I finally decided to check out a couple of performances this year. Lacy and I hit a late-night show that was a series of 8-minute (or less) shorts. I still do not know what to think about what I saw. There were two puppet murders. The MCs (also puppets) were truly awful. One performer clearly had a failed clown career. An audience member in front of me was too enthusiastic about puppets. It was nothing if not captivating for so very many reasons. 

IN: Your feedback on this week’s newsletter. Please never stop sending me little notes — on Instagram, in the comments, by text, or by replying directly to the emails themselves. I don’t even mind if you drop me a line to say you disagree (but how could you?). My hope for this newsletter has always been to one day spark more conversations. Let’s keep it up! OUT: Not forwarding this email to your friends/family/lovers/favorite barista. Sharing is caring (Psst… I’ll be running a little sale next month for those interested in supporting the Hater’s Guide!).

Tell me what you hated this week!