How many times do people give you a recommendation and you say ‘Oh, really? Cool. I’ll add it to the list!’ and then you go away and do not add it to any list anywhere?
Well, I present you with Add to List: the Sunday newsletter containing small things that brought joy, evoked an emotional reaction or became some short-lived stability for me in the past 7 days.
Obsession
Fellow Substackers.
On Wednesday, football was coming home but Substack writers were meeting up!
and I hosted our third London meet up near London Bridge. Despite the football we had between 35-40 attendees; some friends from previous meet-ups revisiting and SO many new and interesting people.Everyone made this event a lovely experience. From those who spread the word, brought friends along, were brave enough to attend alone for the first time, or were repeat guests who made newbies feel welcome. It takes a village.
Hearing everyone’s areas of interest and how they’re becoming the editor-in-chief of their own ideas is inspiring. This community is growing but the feeling of genuine connection is not being diluted.
If you want to know more about what happens at a meet-up, you can read the brilliant review from the joy and delight that is
here:Confession
I don’t find Irish men attractive.
Broad generalisation, I know. I was in Dublin for 48 hours and now out in the countryside, I keep awaiting a Paul Mescal look-a-like to sweep me off my feet like Gerald Butler in ‘P.S. I Love You’ (guitar-in-tow preferable).
I sat solo sipping a pint and realised, I probably would turn him down if this hypothetical man came my way. I want to love this figment of my imagination. The accent is nice, the eyes are often gorgeous but I can’t think of a single Irish man, famous or otherwise, who would do it for me. Don’t @ me.
Shook
The velvet of Guinness in Dublin.
How much better Guinness tastes in Ireland. Like, seriously!? Tell me what magic they sprinkle in it?
Book
Ghost Chilli by Nikkitha Bakshani.
I’ve been a social bee this last week so reading has taken a bit of a back seat. (Also been drinking too much Guinness to concentrate). However, I took the lovely
’s book on tour with me to Dublin and I’m close to finishing it. I’m interviewing her soon for this Substack soon. Stay tuned!Cook
Not a lot.
I’ve been on the move again a lot this week. The highlight was these chilli oil enoki mushrooms from Dublin’s Big Fan.
Can’t Stop Scanning
Celebrities at Wimbledon.
I think my excitement for cultural moments Wimbledon are solely based around the ‘celebrities in the wild’ content we get served. Sienna Miller aced it. Alexa Chung and Joe Alwyn were goals. I am ashamed to admit that I have spent time reading guilty pleasure articles such as this. Looking forward to seeing who shows up to the Men’s Final today.
Forward Planning
Final Improv classes and rehearsals before our next show.
I am sitting in my existential crisis of unemployment but I have a lot of improv to keep me going including my first ever ‘Harold’ show on the 23rd July. (Harold is a type of show, not an old man who performs with us).
Focusing on something immediate and fun is a reminder that we can all just figure out the unknown together one step at a time. My group this round are an absolutely lovely bunch. We are really vibing so even if we fuck it all up, we’ll be laughing together.
And, next weekend I’m hosting a ‘seed of life shower’ for my little frozen eggs. Mental or genius? You decide. I want to mark this achievement with all the brilliant women who supported me along the way. We even have a ‘biological clock’ piñata to beat, handcrafted by my gorgeous, thoughtful and pure joy of a friend Hannah.
Thanks for the shout out the meet-up was fab!
Am also thinking about doing improv classes, new classes start in September might give it a spin. Apparently it makes you a really good listener as you have to rely on what others are saying for your next move, have you found that? 😘
Serious mouth watering at those mushrooms!The London meet-up looked brilliant - hope I can make it work to come up to the Big Smoke for the next one 🤞🏽