Observables #35

on shows I could write and so many fish eggs

A new reality show about a 41 year old Mom.

FADE IN.

A mother in a constant state of reinvention comes to the breakfast table dressed in a new Aritiza Jumpsuit.

Teen says, “What are you wearing?”

Mom says,  “I bought a new jumpsuit. Do you like?”

Teen says, “Okay” with ne’er an eyeroll because that would show investment.

Mom is slightly confused because she thought it was a pretty good jumpsuit. She shows Teen her latest TikTok. In the video she’s hiding in the bathroom with her cat talking about, let’s say, the Metaverse.

“Okay,” Teen says about the TikTok. She only has one word. The mother has a lot of words, which are apparently badly chosen. Also, she really wants a hug which the teen can feel. Teen would rather stare into space if she’s not scrolling her own TikTok account. Certainly not her mother’s. Certainly not giving hugs.

“Do you want to eat sugar with me?” Mom says finally realizing she needs a new offer.

“What kind of sugar? But sure,” Teen says.

Mom will start this scene again.

FADE OUT.

My real mom’s laughs as we watch three episodes of A.P. Bio in a row. Who knew of this pull to inappropriate bawdy humour?

Violet celebrating her “kids sushi boat.” We’re both giddy to be having lunch out together in the middle of a school day. The last time we did this was pre-COVID, before we learned about masks and celebrating holidays in the backyard. Today Violet brings a branch to lunch. We discuss the branch’s innards which remind her of styrofoam. We wonder if we could fix the world’s styrofoam problem with this stick. She tells me how she’s going to put it in water when we get home.

Her water arrives in a tea cup. I comment on its small size. No, it’s a huge tea cup, she says, if you compare it to the little tea set at home that Aunt Elaine gave her. Also, the sweet potato tempura is soooo delicious. She picks at the tiny red balls on her pieces of sushi. What are these, she asks. I pretend to be deeply absorbed in sipping my green tea, wishing to keep all thoughts about the large portion of fish eggs on a kids sushi boat to myself. 

This recipe. Natalie tells me lentil bolognese is standard vegan fare now. How did I not know about this combination?

Sheila Heti’s Pure Colour, part fable, part creation myth, part absurdist story set in a lamp store.

30 Young Ukranians tell their war stories.

This week on Sister On! Nat and I talk to writer Carley Fortune about reframing transitions!

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