What to watch while you eat lunch
...and other recs this week!
Kia ora, welcome to this week’s newsletter.
Ideally I know I should probably eat my lunch away from screens altogether. More often than not I end up idly scrolling while I eat, which seems like a bad habit on a number of different levels. Recently, however, I have settled on a compromise: I watch something instead.
To that end I’d like to recommend bookmarking Short of the Week for those moments when even an old episode of The Simpsons is a bit too long. It offers an extremely well-curated selection of short films and documentaries from around the world (including our very own Scratched episode about skateboarder Lee Ralph from earlier this year), like a never ending miniature film festival right in your browser. Very good.
–Cal
This week’s new podcasts
In the fourth and final episode of Breast Assured [Apple | Spotify], Sarah Gandy is joined by Johanna and Brittany from Nope Sisters, Shannon McAlpine and Shavaughn Ruakere to explore some of the strides being made to help us take back ownership of our boobs.
On The Fold [Apple | Spotify] this week, Duncan Greive talks to filmmaker Ahmed Osman about how diversity and representation are handled when it comes to media funding, the flow-on consequences that has and the opportunities we’re missing out on as a result.
On When the Facts Change [Apple | Spotify], Bernard Hickey looks at what effect climate change might have on house prices.
And as always The Real Pod [Apple | Spotify] takes us on a trawl through the week’s realest news. [PS if you haven’t listened to last week’s Celebrity Treasure Island exit interview with Chris Parker yet, it’s a good one] [PPS if you’re a Corny and you’re sorry, these amazing badges are now in the country!]
Follow and listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
Extremely Online: Are the influencers alright?
Ask kids today what they want to be when they grow up and a lot will say a YouTuber, a TikToker or just a general influencer. It might seem like a dream job, but what’s the real price you pay for being an influencer? The Shit You Should Care About team takes a look in this week’s episode of Extremely Online.
Vulture Prince
Leonie says: “I’ve been listening to the 2021 album Vulture Prince by Pakistani composer Arooj Aftab, which I specifically recommend listening to with headphones or played loud on good speakers in the dark. It’s my first introduction to South Asian classical music and I don’t speak Urdu, but I’m so taken by the minimalist soundscape and the melody of Aftab’s wondrous voice (her brother passed away while she was writing the album so it captures the grief of that, but there’s such a strength to it). Still, as someone who is a bit over the clumsiness of English in art, I felt its meaning and mysticism despite my ignorance.”
Hidden
Harkanwal says: “Hidden is a short (18-minute) documentary by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, in which he “sets out to find a young woman with a golden voice that has been forbidden to sing by Iranian authorities.” If you haven’t ever watched Iranian films, I highly recommend works by Jafar Panahi and Abbas Kiarostami. Panahi was placed under house arrest and banned from making films in 2011 – he still can’t travel outside Iran. This documentary is shot on phone by him and his daughter.”
Iman Shumpert on DWTS
Eli says: “I’m a huge Dancing with the Stars US fan and I can’t stop watching this dance performance from a few weeks ago. It is one of the most beautiful yet creepy contemporary dances I’ve ever seen. Former NBA shooting guard Iman Shumpert is graceful and smooth and safely throws his partner around like it’s no big thing. A damn good show and the song choice is an absolute banger too. Tens across the board from me (and the judges)!”
Just Dance
Alice says: “I played Just Dance on Nintendo Switch with my young bubble mates the other day and it rivalled that time I put on a wedding dress and drank a bottle of champagne for the most fun I’ve had all lockdown. Each player holds a controller and is given a dancer to follow on screen, then you’re rated on how well you mimic them. There are many songs to choose from (most of which I didn’t know on account of being old, but that didn’t matter) and I got the first stitch I’ve had since circa fourth form PE, so it doubles as exercise too.”
Eastward
Toby says: “I'm slowly playing my way through Eastward on the Nintendo Switch. It's a kind of throwback 90s RPG – think old Zelda, like Link to the Past, or Chrono Trigger, but set in a very Studio Ghibli inspired world, with some good puzzle bits that bring to mind the old classic Lost Vikings. I don't have lots of time to game, and when I do I usually don't want it to be a stressful or tense experience, but with Eastward I've enjoyed putting my feet up and slowly figuring it out. It's got great characters, clever twists and just a cool world to spend time in.”
Donkey
Chris says: “The old-fashioned game of 'Donkey' is very big in my family at the moment. All you need is someone else with hands and a ball of some kind. You throw it to each other, and every time one of you drops it, you get a letter. Spell 'donkey' and you lose. My son and I have been having epic games that stretch in and out of the house, day and night. I'll be sitting on the couch and a rugby ball will suddenly slam into my chest. We're on. Now there are all kinds of bonus rules, arguments over foul throws, 50/50 calls and whether or not kicks are permissible (they are). Last night, we played for so long it got dark. It's a good time.”
DIY mini golf
Alice says: “If you’re looking for something to do in this fine weather, I rec setting up a mini golf course in your backyard. You need nothing in particular except for a ball and a club. For the course, a wheelbarrow tipped on its side is as good as any pro putt ramp, a garden hose the perfect course edge, some sticks and outdoor furniture are obstacles to rival the biggest, fastest mini windmill. Now put on your best salmon coloured polo and khaki shorts and you’re ready for the LPGA (Lawn Putt Goofing Around) Tour.”
Putting the Christmas decorations up early
Emily says: “I’ve gone buck wild with the lights, I have so many Santas, I have an old Christmas lady made from a stocking or something in a rocking chair, I have mistletoe, I have holly, I’ve got pine cones, I’ve got a kookaburra wearing a Santa hat garden stake, I’ve got a giant sign that says Merry Christmas, I have not one but two Christmas trees. I bought it all online and I can’t stop. The children are afraid. But I am so high on compulsory Christmas joy. Joy to the actual entire world.”
Taking a dip
Sophie says: “Salt water fixes everything and even though it isn’t summer-hot yet, there’s nothing more invigorating than a dunk in the sea. I never regret a swim.”
OK, that’ll do it for this week. Please reply to get in touch and share with anyone else who might like to subscribe too. See you next Wednesday 👋
If you're part of The Spinoff Members, thank you, from all of us. If you're not, and can donate, please do so today.