Just Good Shit: 10.10.21

Hello! I’m back after a wonderful week spent in Maine at Acadia National Park. (Full rundown on everything we did to come!) It’s currently not as autumnal outside in Brooklyn as I’d like it to be, but I’m still glad it’s October. I’ve been knitting a bunch, reading books, and getting excited for gift guide season. Here’s what else I’ve had going on...

My shit

• What to Do When a Friend's Insecurity Is Ruining Your Vibe

• Bags within bags!

And there are two new eps of the podcast: How to Be, Like, 75% Organized and A Solid Alternative to Googling Your Symptoms ft. Casey Gueren.

Reading

On the Internet, We’re Always Famous, The New Yorker.

The Joe Manchin climate doctrine, Heated.

Do I Still Need a Pulse Oximeter?, NYT. (gift link)

Notes for a Queer Homemaker: Polishing Silver and Panoptical Perches, Autostraddle.

What's Up With "Gender Critical" Gay Guys?, Gawker.

$5 jewelry and an MLM conference gone wrong, Vox.

‘America’s Oldest Park Ranger’ Is Only Her Latest Chapter, NYT. (gift link)

Bringing Black History to Life in the Great Outdoors, NYT. (gift link)

Why TikTok Is So Obsessed With Labeling Everything a Trauma Response, Slate.

Watching & listening to

Lots of Maintenance Phase and You’re Wrong About. 5 Things Tidying Method (h/t Captain Awkward). Everything JoJo Siwa’s doing on Dancing With the Stars and also this clip from Dance Moms, which was my introduction to the show and is one of the wildest and high camp things I’ve seen in a while. (How...was this...a television show????) And this fantastic episode of the podcast ICYMI, in which the hosts interview a “true crime” TikToker about the content she made in the days following Gabby Petito’s disappearance.

Have a nice week! 🍂

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Bags within bags!

Today I’m here to sing the praises of an organizational system I creatively refer to as “bags within bags,” which I’ve been using to keep several aspects of my life organized for the past few months.

I don’t normally carry a very big bag (if I carry one at all), but when I do carry a tote for whatever reason, I really hate having all my stuff just...floating around in it. I don’t want to have to root around for something, wondering the whole time if I remembered to bring it with me; I want to be able to find it quickly and easily so I can move on with my life! This became a problem over the summer, when we started going to the beach regularly. I wanted to be able to easily grab things like chapstick, car keys, hand sanitizer, etc. and not worry about anything spilling or getting lost. So I decided I’d just buy a couple of small mesh travel pouches…but the thing that made the most sense at the time turned out to be a set of 18 (!!!) zipper mesh bags of varying sizes that cost $12.99 on Amazon.

This turned out to be an incredible purchase, which I didn’t really expect. The smaller pouches did exactly what I needed them to do, and the larger sizes (which are really quite sizable) meant I could put bigger bottles of sunscreen or bug spray in their own bag as well. Great! My beach bag problem was perfectly solved! But the mesh bags really began to shine when I picked up knitting again. 

After a few weeks of working on a couple of different knitting projects at once, I realized I needed a better way to corral all my stuff and not have half-knitted sweaters perched on every flat surface. This led me to the baby Baggu bag ($10 from Baggu or Amazon) which is the perfect size for 1–2 knitting projects. (It’s smaller than your standard canvas tote, but bigger than a brown paper lunch bag.) The baby Baggu made it easier to just keep the needles, yarn, and instructions I needed close at hand, and to easily move everything from, say, the bedroom to the living room or up to the roof, or wherever I felt like knitting on a given day.

But I still had the problem of a lot of small loose items (a measuring tape, knitting markers, tiny scissors, crochet hook, etc.) floating around the bottom of the bag. So I pulled out some of the extra mesh bags I had and organized everything in the baby Baggu. The size 9 and 10 needles of varying lengths I was using for one project went into one mesh bag, while the size 4 and 6 needles I needed for another project went in their own — so I no longer had to sort through all my needles to find just the size 9 40 cm circular needles. I put my needle stoppers (which I’ve found are weirdly hard to keep track of) in a small bag of their own, and put my remaining tools in their own bag.

This new system was nothing short of life-changing. 

When my girlfriend and I drove up to Maine last week, we used more of the mesh bags (because, remember, the set came with 18 bags) for all of our toiletries/products, as well as things we wanted to have handy at all times (like phone chargers, contacts, and bandaids). I took the Fjallraven Kanken backpack I bought for the trip with me everywhere, and being able to throw the appropriate mini bags into it depending on where we were going/what we needed was so helpful. And on the couple of occasions when I wanted to take my knitting out with me, I just put the single project I was focusing on into the Fjallraven, and then added the small mesh bag with all of my tools in case of a knitting emergency. 

Being far from home/driving for 10+ hours/out all day in a national park for the first time was mildly nerve-wracking, and it was a huge relief to not be stressed about where my car keys, eye drops, and granola bars were. But even when I’m just knitting at home, it’s just been so nice to know where all my shit is.

Get the mesh bags from Amazon for $12.99 and the baby Baggu bag for $10 from Baggu or Amazon. 🎒

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Just Good Shit: 09.19.21

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Hi! Just a quick one from me tonight as it has been A DAY. Also, I’ll be offline for the next two Sundays, so you won’t hear from me for a couple of weeks. Until then, here’s what I’ve got for you…

Reading

A Boy Went to a COVID-Swamped ER. He Waited for Hours. Then His Appendix Burst., ProPublica.

The Culture War Over ‘Pregnant People’, The Atlantic.

A Brandon woman, 92, fought her guardianship. Things escalated quickly., Tampa Bay Times.

The Prescient Power of The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Vulture.

What Matters in a Name Sign?, NYT. (gift link)

The one-sided John Mulaney Twitter debate, Embedded.
This is old now but I forgot to include it at the time, and I think the overall takeaway is pretty evergreen.

Finally, if you’ve watched LuLa Rich on Amazon (which is very good!) and are still thinking about how wild it all is, you might like this article I wrote in 2017 about LuLaRoe.

Have a good one! 🌝

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Just Good Shit: 09.12.21

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Hello! I’m coming off a nice few days that included knitting, hanging with friends on our roof, knitting on the roof, eating soup, and watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians for the first time ever. (It’s now my favorite show.)

Here’s what else I had going on this week…

My shit

• Just a Bunch of Easy Ways to Make Vaxxed Hangouts Safer in the Delta Era

• 8 Easy, Genius Hosting Tips that Expert Entertainer Dorinda Medley Swears By

• How to Throw a Better Party—During the Pandemic, or Whenever

Reading

9/11 Survivors Are Still Getting Sick Decades Later: ‘Am I Next?’, NYT. (gift link)

The NYT stopped shilling for cigarettes. Why won't it stop shilling for fossil fuels?, Heated.

The Plan to Stop Every Respiratory Virus at Once, The Atlantic.

Just Say It: The Health Care System Has Collapsed, Slate.

When Orlando theme parks self-report ride injuries, details can be left out, Orlando Sentinel.

Erika Jayne and the Runaway Narrative, Vulture.

Oddkin, A Working Letter.

The intern who set up a cot and other stories of internships gone wrong, Ask a Manager.

Have a good one! 🧶

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Just Good Shit: 09.06.21

Image: KIyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Hi, all. This was another sad week. I woke up on Thursday and learned via Twitter video (!) that our block had been fully flooded — like, cars floating, scary flooding — just a few hours earlier. We immediately got up and went to see what our neighborhood looked like, expecting that we might not even be able to go outside and, best case, that our car would be at least partially submerged. We got downstairs and…nothing. All the water had disappeared, the car was totally dry, and there was hardly any evidence of what had happened overnight (aside from one car that had floated onto the sidewalk). It was completely surreal. We had zero warning about this storm, and now dozens of people are dead. It’s really fucking sad and just so overwhelming.

Some further reading about the storm — and who was most affected by it — below…

Reading

Trapped in Basements and Cars, They Lost Their Lives in Savage Storm, NYT. (gift link)

Related must-read: Underground Lives: The Sunless World of Immigrants in Queens, NYT.

"No One Has Come": Queens Flood Victims Left To Fend For Themselves In Storm's Aftermath, Gothamist.

One Texas Woman Describes Her Abortion Hours Before the State's Six-Week Ban Went Into Effect, Jezebel.

Stop It With The Fucking Coat Hangers, Andrea Grimes.

This thread about abortion from @gracieminabox.

Death by a Thousand Words: COVID-19 and the Pandemic of Ableist Media, Refinery29.

Is It Allergies or a Breakthrough Infection?, The Cut.

Caring for the elderly has never been more expensive, exhausting, or invisible, Vox.

The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids, Bloomberg.

How do I know if it's safe to be out at work ... and other questions about LGBTQ+ issues at work, Ask a Manager.

In the Kitchens of the Rich, Things Are Not as They Seem, NYT. (gift link)

He’s All That is a Hallmark movie for Gen Z, Vox.

And if you’re looking for a way to celebrate Labor Day, consider donating to Los Deliveristas Unidos' Workers Fund.

Have a good week.

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Just Good Shit: 08.29.21

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

It’s been a strange few days around these parts — if you haven’t heard, VICE did a round of layoffs on Thursday morning without any real warning. There was no all-staff morning email announcing what would be happening or anything like that; we just came online and heard through the grapevine, while many of us were still making our coffee, that our coworkers were being picked off. We had no idea how many people were being laid off or when it would be over. (It was over, apparently, when management sent out a 1,000-word email that led with congratulating several people on their promotions.)

My manager was one of the people who was let go, as were several people on a neighboring team. While I was one of the lucky ones this time, it was the third round of layoffs I’ve been through in as many years; it’s unsettling and upsetting to watch it happen over and over again. Every single time I am aghast at how poorly this process is executed, though I don’t think I will be next time because I’ll be used to it.

Anyway. Here’s what else I had going on this week…

Writing

• I'm Vaxxed, I'm Socializing, Things Are Better... So Why Do I Feel Shitty?

I published this as the layoffs were happening because it was meant to go live on Thursday, and I was worried I was going to get laid off/lose access to the CMS before I had a chance to hit publish, and I had spent a lot of time working on it and also didn’t want to waste my sources’ time.

Reading

Ultra-Vaxxed Israel’s Crisis Is a Dire Warning to America, The Daily Beast.

The Vaccine-Booster Mistake, The Atlantic.

Georgia School Official Responds to COVID Crisis With ‘Tone Deaf’ Blue Jeans Proposal, The Daily Beast.
Every line of this article is somehow more outrageous than the one before it. Like…Jesus Christ.

The SAME DAMN lesson again., Nadia Bolz-Weber.

How to Work with Someone Who Creates Unnecessary Conflict, HBR.

Femme Fatale, Harper’s Bazaar.
“The straight women who want to be femmes—are they speaking out against homophobia, racism, transmisogyny, and violence against sex workers in their lives, or are they just happy to have a word that makes fashion and aesthetic choices political and less superficial?”

The Cotton Tote Crisis, NYT.

Knitting for Victory — World War II, HistoryLink.org.

Have a good one. 💛

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Just Good Shit: 08.22.21

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Good evening! I’ve been hunkered down literally all day thanks to Henri. We put on records and I did crosswords and made beans on toast while my girlfriend knit. It felt a bit like a preview of this coming fall/winter, given how bad Delta is. But it was a really nice day (and weekend!), and I was so happy to be offline all day.

Here’s what else I had going on this week…

Reading

Don’t Panic, But Breakthrough Cases May Be a Bigger Problem Than You’ve Been Told, NY Mag.

Seven People Tell Us What It's Like to Have Breakthrough COVID, VICE.

A New Variant of COVID Denialism Has Emerged, NY Mag.

My Kids’ School Won’t Reinstate Masks Despite a Recent Surge in COVID Cases. Here’s What I Chose to Do., ProPublica.

If Only We’d Listened to Representative Barbara Lee, The Cut.

The US Carefully Documented Its Total Failure in Afghanistan for 12 Years, VICE.

Before a 4-year-old boy’s killing, authorities wavered on rescuing him, LA Times.

What Happens When All of Your Co-workers Quit?, The Cut.
This is so fucking bleak.

I'm a Frito-Lay Factory Worker. I Work 12-Hour Days, 7 Days a Week, VICE.

“A Smile With Sharp Teeth”: Mike Richards’s Rise to ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Sparks Questions About His Past, The Ringer.

The White Lotus Was Always Going to End This Way, Vanity Fair.

The White Lotus is as clueless about Native Hawaiians as its characters, Vox.

Are You Watching the New Gossip Girl?, GoFugYourself.

Why Doesn’t the New Gossip Girl Feel Fun?, Vanity Fair.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars Recap: Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like Silky, Vulture.
This week’s episode was one of the best ever imo — so joyful, and worth a watch even if you aren’t watching this season.

Strange Lessons in Sex and Power from ‘Saved By the Bell’, Catapult.

How a Board Game About Birds Became a Surprise Blockbuster, Slate.
I’m excited to get into this game this fall/winter!

Watching

A few recent faves: This Is Paris, Malice at the Palace (SO GOOD), RHOBH, and Rajiv Surendra’s inCREDIBLE apartment tour. And this mesmerizing watch restoration.

Have a good one! 🌧

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Just Good Shit: 08.15.21

This week, I went to the beach twice, which felt decadent! On Friday, my girlfriend and I made a spontaneous evening trip to Riis, which absolutely rocked. We saw the sunset and the moon, ate burgers and truly the best grilled cheese, and got a much-needed break from the city heat and humidity. We’ve also started planning a fall trip to Acadia, which I’m so so excited about. And after spending all day today on the beach I’m feeling pretty mellow and happy.

Here’s what else I was up to this week…

My shit

• How to Deal With a Friend Who Constantly Puts Their Partner Down ‘as a Joke’

And this week on the podcast, Sally and I talked about poems and poetry!

Reading

What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind, The Atlantic.

Families of High-Risk Children Despair Over Covid Resurgence, NYT.

How the Pandemic Now Ends, The Atlantic.

The Pain Was Unbearable. So Why Did Doctors Turn Her Away?, Wired.

The True Crime Junkies and the Curious Case of a Missing Husband, VICE.

I Took A Delta-8 Gummy Before Going On A Run. Things Got Weird — Really Weird, Refinery 29.

The intern who took over an office, the dragon pajamas, and other stories to cringe over/revel in, Ask a Manager.

Have a great week! ⛱

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Just Good Shit: 08.09.21

Hello! This post is coming to you a little later than usual because I was celebrating my birthday this weekend! On Saturday (my actual bday), my girlfriend organized a very lovely and mellow park hang with friends, which was perfect. Sunday we had a lazy day at home — we set up Supercouch, did a bunch of crossword puzzles, watched Gossip Girl, and ordered sushi. And today we booked a fall trip to Acadia National Park, which I am so, so excited about!

Here’s what else I had going on…

Reading

‘It has to be known what was done to us’: Natick couple harassed by eBay tell their story for the first time, Boston Globe.
This is wild.

I Was Part of the July Fourth Provincetown “Breakthrough” COVID Cluster. It’s Been a Sobering Experience., Slate.
“If being at the center of this latest chapter of the COVID story had chipped away at my trust in the CDC’s ever-evolving guidelines, it had also offered us gay men a glimpse of an important facet of our history, exemplified most powerfully in the legendary self-advocacy of ACT UP: playing armchair scientist when institutional and social knowledge isn’t there for us, when it breaks down.”

I went to a party with 14 other vaccinated people; 11 of us got COVID, The Baltimore Sun.

The Case Against Sticking The Landing, Defector.

­­The Olympic Gymnastics Event Finals Are Unsatisfying and Unsafe, Slate.

Who Owns Amanda Knox?, The Atlantic.

The $5,000 quest for the perfect butt, Vox.

The Woman Who Captured ‘Jaws,’ Then Worked to Undo the Damage, NYT. (gift link)

Goal Tending: The NBA Dropped the Ball with Two of Its New Head Coaches, Bitch.

The Best Smart Home Devices to Help Seniors Age in Place, Wirecutter.

The Parallel-Parking Job That Ignited the Internet, Curbed.

Have a good week! 🥳

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Just Good Shit: 08.01.21

Hello and happy August! (And happy Leo season to those who observe!) Here’s what I had going on this week…

My shit

• If One Person's Annoying Behavior Is Destroying Your Friend Group, Unionize

And the newest ep of Oh, I Like That is up!

Reading

This week I read Make It Nice, Dorinda Medley’s upcoming memoir, and found it interesting/charming! Also:

Your Vaccinated Immune System Is Ready for Breakthroughs, The Atlantic.

If We Must Wear Masks Again, We Need a Smart Approach, NYT. (gift link)
I found this article reassuring/informative after the news about Delta last week.

Simone Biles and the Weight of Perfection, NYT. (gift link)

Simone Biles and 'the twisties': How fear affects the mental health and physical safety of gymnasts, CNN.
“Gymnastics is obviously physically demanding with a high injury rate. But it is extremely difficult psychologically as well. Many of the skills could kill you.”

Was the Olympic Skateboarding Really as Unimpressive as It Seemed?, Slate.
The framing of this article is weirdly aggressive and annoying, BUT the info from the expert is genuinely interesting and useful if you watched skateboarding and had questions!

The Cursed Trick That Almost Cost Suni Lee a Gold Medal, Slate.

My Gender is Maximalism, Autostraddle.

The worst money we’ve ever spent, Vox.

How Berkeley Bowl cashiers memorize literally everything in their legendary produce department, SFGate.

‘Look at Me Like a Human Boy!’ An Oral History of Clifford, Vulture.
I loved this movie so so much as a kid and felt like no one else had ever even heard of it, so I was absolutely delighted to see this.

Watching

Along with the Olympics, I watched Zola and loved it. I followed it up with a profile about the woman behind the Twitter thread and a profile of the director (gift link).

Have a good week! 🌻

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