issue #79 - the 'can't stop watching Netflix Christmas movies' one

I think I have a problem.

I rewatched the entire The Christmas Prince trilogy. Rewatched The Christmas Switch before watching three Vanessa Hudgens in the sequel. I sobbed watching Dolly Parton’s Christmas In The Square.

And don’t even get me started on the magic of Jingle Jangle.

As we head into the final end-of-year rush, I need to escape for 90 minutes in a fantasy of festive spirit, unrealistic plots, caricatures and irreverence and not taking themselves too seriously.

Because on a good day, 90 minutes is all I have and I will take it.

I didn’t read much - or at all - this week. But please consider the Christmas movie list above as your recommended media consumption this week.

The Top 5

1. The Pandemic Winter Is Coming To New York, And It’s Going To Be Unimaginably Hard (Curbed)

2. You Still Need To Have The Conversation (Culture Study)

3. How To Tell If Socializing Indoors Is Safe (The Atlantic)

4. Dolly Parton helped fund Moderna’s vaccine. It began with a car crash and an unlikely friendship. (Washington Post)

5. Self-interest nudged me to join Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine trial. Here’s how it’s going (STAT)

The Catch Up

Monday

• Republicans, Not Biden, Are About To Raise Your Taxes (New York Times)

• How The Patriarchy Stole Friday The 13th From Women And Made It Evil (Vice)

• Grey’s Anatomy’ Powered His Ambitions. Now, This Doctor Is Helping The Show Tackle Coronavirus (CNN Entertainment)

• How Princess Diana Shaped Politics (The Economist)

Tuesday

• How To Get Good At Chess (The Guardian)

• Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine Is Strongly Effective, Early Look At Data Show (Stat News)

• 15 Asia- Pacific Countries Form World’s Largest Trading Bloc (Axios)

• The Story Of Home Is Just Another Story (Medium)

Wednesday (curated by Marisa Hamm-Malanowski)

• Winter Is Coming. Concert Venues Are Terrified (Rolling Stone)

• I Started Working From Home Years Before Coronavirus. Here’s How I Found Balance. (The Lily)

• How We Lie To Ourselves About History (The New Yorker)

• Originalism, Amy Coney Barrett’s Approach To The Constitution, Explained (Vox)

Thursday

• People go hungry in Ethiopia’s Tigray as conflict marches on (Associated Press)

• Obama: The internet is “the single biggest threat to our democracy” (Recode)

• Senate's tech CEO interrogation shows parties are worlds apart (Axios)

• Why Alex Trebek Means So Much to Immigrant Kids (The Juggernaut)

Friday

• We all have a part to play in the war against food waste (Al Jazeera)

• Race and Education In America (Axios)

• Netflix's 'Jingle Jangle' adds Black girl magic to the Christmas family film pantheon (NBC News)

• Rape, abuses in palm oil fields linked to top beauty brands (Associated Press)

Things I Love

No recommendations this week, because I FINALLY finished my annual gift guide that has all the things I’ve gifted, am gifted, and have been gifted and loved.

I hope you find it useful. But most importantly, I hope you find some sense of connection with your loved ones during these insane times. And if you need a change from Zoom, Icebreaker is a great option for virtual gatherings.

As for me? I’m going to re-watch Dumplin’ on Netflix because I need more Dolly, and will be going to bed.

Stay safe and healthy, wash your hands, and please wear a mask.

All my love,Hitha