Media

or, what I'm Engaging With in 2026

here is where I journal about things I'm engaging with in the media/arts realm. it's pretty stream-of-conciousness so if you like that, welcome, and I hope you find some ideas for things to check out. SPOILER ALERT! there won't be spoilers in everything, but there might be spoilers in SOME things so if you're worried about that you've been warned. I'll try not to share key plot points, but general vibes, themes, and possibly some scenes will be discussed so skip if you're not into that.

books

psst - you can keep up with my reading on my StoryGraph account! feel free to add me or follow!

"The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" (2023) by James McBride
so far I'm 1/3 of the way in, I love his prose and humor. I feel like he talks about breasts a lot but it's highly possible I just notice that more. I love a book where many POVs intersect, keeps things very interesting during times when I'd otherwise be apt to scroll my phone. I started this book in early Dec so it's taking me a lil while but I do enjoy it.

video games

Skyrim (2011) - PS4 - started 12/25/25 as a $9 Christmas gift to myself
I'm playing as a High Elf named Nerion. I played this game a lil bit when I was in high school but my brother helped me battle most of the creatures and I don't think I got much further than meeting the Greybeards. that's where I am as of this update (1/6) but I'm looking forward to pushing on. usually my favorite part of these games is collecting the cutest armor so I doubt this run will be much different
Adventures of Lolo (1989) - NES (Emulator) - started 12/28/25
This game is an addictive puzzle "rescue the princess" kinda thing. You're Lolo, trying to rescue princess Lala. it's beautifully simple and pretty relaxing once you understand the mechanics. occasionally I run into a puzzle that makes me feel NUTS, but I enjoy the process and the soundtrack is cute!!

music

several months back I got my iPod from high school restored (the battery was swollen and pushing against the screen, couldn't hold a charge, lock button didn't work) and it's back in action! I just need to add my library back to it and also add lots of new music. this year my friends and I are saying goodbye to our shared Tidal account because we're all sick of streaming platforms exploiting the artists we love! I've got an iPod and so does Earl. Delia has always had an iPod. and Jess, Aki (I think?) and Simon, and Izzy, all have some cool modern mp3 players

01/08/26: I'm mostly listening to whatever bonkers music is on the USB drive my dad gave me. he told me and my siblings he doesn't want our high school music messing up the vibes of his new computer which is valid bc most of this music blows

films

I don't watch a lot of films so don't get excited! but who knows maybe 2026 will be better. here's my Letterboxd, which I often forget to use. !SPOILER ALERT! I'm gonna assume I might write mild spoilers here and there, so I wanna just put this alert HERE so I don't have to insert it left and right!

01/09/26Y tu mamá también (2002) - watched with Jess, who has seen it before. It's one of their favorite movies.
The sentimental, slice-of-life, adolescents exploring a landscape and their relationship to each other as they grow in different directions reminded me of Dogs of Summer (Andrea Abreu, 2022), which I read last year. I kept being surprised by the relentless horniness tucked into so many scenes, but it also felt real to how I experienced sexuality against the backdrop of my friendships at that age - ignorant, jealous, lustful, confusing. Funny. And of course, painful. Riddled with loss, as friendships can sometimes be, when we betray each other or just grow perpendicular to one another. I feel warm seeing the stunning Mexican landscapes, and moved by the juxtaposition of the greater landscape (politically and also literally the landscape they drive through it) against the tiny world-of-three in Julio's car. I'm trying to watch at least 2 movies a month (a huge thing for me if you know my track record) and this was a lovely start to that.