What's IN/OUT this week

I saw Peaches last weekend and I have to say: She puts on a SHOW. Her energy was up the whole time (she’s 59!!) and everyone in the crowd seemed to be having a blast right along with her. What a freaky little weirdo. And color me unsurprised to find out she’s a fellow Scorpio.

IN: Riding the high (temps). We enjoyed a gorgeous false spring on Sunday and Monday. Dave and I celebrated our anniversary by hitting some spots during the day in River North (before it becomes… less fun at night): A drink at Rossi’s, oysters at Shaw’s, cocktails at Gus’s Sip & Dip, fries at Hawksmoor, calamari and pizza at Zarella’s. There were gifts, too. He got me cool sneakers and I made him a book of photos from our text messages in the last year, with zero context. OUT: Riding the high (spending). Whoops! We eschewed a fancy-schmancy dinner and still spent $$$ on a fun day. The unbearable weight of living in a walkable city with disposable income.

IN: When your algorithm finally hits its stride. I did something right where this was served to me. I love when people finally use the internet the right way. OUT: Nostalgia. I wanna see something new! I read about the recent-ish emergence of Pizza Hut Classics, where franchisees have turned certain locations back to their 1980s and 90s glory days — salad bar, Tiffany lamps, red-checkered tablecloths and all. As much as I would have welcomed some wellspring of childhood giddiness, I’m sort of exhausted by this play on (particularly millennial) nostalgia. Of course I loved BOOK IT!, and of course I can distinctly remember the taste of pop in the red plastic cups. But I don’t find some magical charm to the fast-casual dining of my childhood. That said, I would probably be blowing through a LOT more books if someone promised me praise and pizza after hitting my reading goals. (Here’s the list of Classics locations, for the interested.)

IN: Seeing your behavior/emotions echoed in your dog. Sometimes it’s fun to feel like the opening scenes of 101 Dalmatians, where the owners look and act just like their pets. Adorable! OUT: Being faced with just how bizarre those funhouse-mirrored behaviors are. Dottie got weird and antsy as hell after false spring was replaced by our regularly scheduled seasonal depression (punctuated by sleet). Then I caught myself also pacing around the house, looking for treats and attention. (Google: Do they make wine for dogs.)

IN: Telling me about goofy stuff you saw. I walked into our friends’ house last weekend and was immediately met by Lauren with a story: She saw a grown woman walk past a puddle, stop, return to the puddle, jump in with both feet, and continue on. That’s the stuff! This is exactly what I want to hear from people — in voice notes, text messages, in person. Please always tell me when you’ve caught a little whimsy. OUT: My creative inspiration, it seems! I regained some momentum after a spell of burnout/being drained/whatever. But now I feel like my goofy-ass well is dry. So I beg you: Tell me how you grease your creative gears. 

(Now some whimsy I will share with you: I will never forget a friend sitting down next to me in college with a Gatorade in one hand and a rotisserie chicken in the other. He looked me dead in the face and said, “This really greases my gears, man.”)

Tell me what you hated this week!