Add to List - #90
Crossword completion and confidence, baby
Hello, thank you, and welcome. I love you for being here!
Add to List is my Sunday round-up. It’s the small things that brought me joy, evoked an emotional reaction, or became some short-lived stability in the past seven days.
Obsession
Completing the crossword.
Honestly, this NEVER happens. Especially not without phoning in a friend or cheating. I am so proud of myself. (Haven’t returned to the crossword since).
Confession
Okay, okay….maybe I googled one thing.
I’ll admit I did google ‘indecorous’ just to double check it was a real word — never heard it before, had you?
The satisfaction of all the little letters turning to green in the Guardian app is basically better than any sex I’ve ever had in my life. Honestly, I am easily pleased.
Shook
Rubbish dates = perfect evenings with friends.
One of my friends was headed to a concert on a date last night and he bailed. THE DAY OF. The audacity. FFS.
The silver lining? I got the call up. After a short bus journey where I undertook some crash-course revision on the band’s latest album, before shifting to a treacherous uphill cross-country Lime cycle up to Ally Pally, we were united to watch funky Australian rock band Ocean Alley.
We sank some pints and bopped to their psychedelic guitar riffs, and as the ‘this could be magic’ lyrics of their opening track, Tangerine, washed over us, I turned and looked at her thriving in her element and felt quite emotional.
It got me thinking: is the ultimate sign of truly deep friendship being willing and unoffended to be left on the subs bench? For this gal (and others, obviously) my shin guards are always at the ready — I am always happy to come on without a warm up when live music and pints in hand are involved. Secretly, I was really glad he bailed. Plus, she’s a total hoot. A confident lady, back up on her party feet in no time. Absolutely his loss. Absolutely my gain.
Cook
Is there anything better than the childlike wonder of a runny yolk and free flowing conversation with your best friends in the world?
Dippy eggs were big on the menu this weekend. I had my oldest friend staying with me; we’ve known each other since we were four years old. And? Well, we’re still the best of friends.
Following a slow morning, and a stroll to our local farmers’ market to grab a perfectly dense sourdough loaf, we created a wholesome brekky to the tune of some absolute 00s bangers (EXAMPLE A). The perfect alchemy for a full belly, and an even fuller heart.
Book
Mayflies, by Andrew O’Hagan
And on the topic of friendship.
I’ve just started poignant coming-of-age classic, Mayflies. The book follows James and Tully, who charge forward into adulthood with a newly formed friendship as they discover life, lager, and little moments of rebellion in the summer of 1986. They make a vow: to go at life differently.
And only a few chapters in? Yet with this poetic prose, beautiful pacing, and such perfect dialogue? I can feel the heartbreak looming. I know this is a read that will break me.
Look
….M&S goodies (The PR continues).
The jumper I linked last week got an outing on Thursday, along with (also M&S), an olive green leather skirt. Plus, right on cue, my brown sock/brogue addiction is back.
Can’t Stop Scanning
I still haven’t watched The Summer I Turned Pretty
Should I? I can’t seem to make it through my instagram or substack feed without seeing some sort of Team Conrad comment.
The minute something breaks the internet, I immediately don’t want to watch it (small insight into my psyche for you all there). But could this be the autumn I turned into a peer-pressured-pop-culture person?
Forward Planning
This week I’ve got a few deadlines which I’m trying to close out as well as a few of the fun bits of the job lined up (i.e. the free and food and drinks).
One of this week’s locations will see me headed to the place I wrote my first ever restaurant review for a magazine last September. Almost exactly a year to the day. I love me a full circle moment.
So next week? Expect me to circle back here with my new favourite cocktail.
Such a cool look
dippys eggs huge this fall....and thank you for re-sharing this food review of yours! such a good piece.