Weekly Journal 9.29.26

Reading

I had to support one of the local indie bookstores while I was in Chicago, even though I really didn't need more reading material for traveling. I bought a copy of Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe at Lilliput Books. This book has been popping up in Reddit's nonfiction recommendations, and I have read other great works by Keefe, so I was interested in this one. It's very good. (I also recommend The Snakehead by the same author.)

Watching

Reddit came through on a TV recommendation as well: After finishing A Killer Story, I watched Mind Over Murder on HBO. This was a fascinating story about questionable police work leading six people to confess and implicate each other in a murder that they didn't commit. The documentary series is twisty and turny without being overly sensationalized.

Since my favorite comfort show, Gilmore Girls, is no longer streaming, I've started rewatching ER for comfort instead.

Cooking

I took some photos of the purple cauliflower soup I made this week, but the hue that I thought was so pretty in person maybe doesn't look attractive (or appetizing) through a camera lens. It tasted pretty good, though. I'm learning how to make soup without a recipe: saute some aromatics, add a roux of flour and butter, toss in the main ingredients, add liquid, bring to a boil, then simmer and keep seasoning to taste. Mix with a stick blender at the end.

Doing

I took some extra, unplanned time off work after my vacation to deal with an illness. Not the way I'd hoped to use up all my PTO. I've recovered, but I still feel overly fatigued sometimes. I'm relishing my time at home before I have to travel again, this time for work, in October.

Listening

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, here is a song that's not necessarily my favorite on the soundtrack, but is my favorite to perform at karaoke.