Emchap's Shit from the Internet 02/9/22 đ
A worker-owned bar has opened up in an old house in my neighborhood; I had been jokingly calling it the Communist bar, but when I stuck my head in tonight I discovered that they have a leftist library with a photo of Marx over the door, so I suppose they are in fact exactly that. The beer was good and the bartender was friendly and thanks to going very early in the evening there was nobody there so I was able to drink upstairs, inside, and feel slightly normal for once.
On the way over I got to see the sunset (very pink) and the many, many crows that accompany it over here. They were flying in a great big flock; something startled them from where they were and they all took off together. Theyâre incredibly loud birds.
I had assumed that the crows are just Part Of Portland until my boyfriend mentioned at one point that he found my neighborhood distressingly crow-y. Apparently on his side of the river they are much less frequent. I kind of like them, aside from the noise; it feels like theyâd probably stop a crime, push comes to shove.
As the crows took off, I noticed in one of the apartment buildings nearby that a cat was sitting in the window, sliding its paws down the window glass as if it was trying to catch a laser pointer. I watched it do that for a minute and it did not stop during that time. Whatever it thought was there (a crow?) it wanted dead, or at least smushed.
Iâve been surprised by how few people cover their windows in my neighborhood. I donât want to spy on peoplesâ lives but I do very much enjoy spying on peoplesâ interior decorating choices, and since nobody here seems to have curtains Iâve been able to get a glimpse into which houses here have kept old architectural details, and which have been remodeled. The one across from me had a great big Christmas tree up for a while, though I never saw any people in the room with it.
The Communist bar reminded me of the other seemingly-always-empty neighborhood bar, which I am also fond of. I hope both of them are able to survive; itâs nice not having to walk more than 2 blocks for a drink and a place to sit.
Shit to read
This piece on how an Excel tiktoker managed to parlay that into a thriving ecourse business started interesting and went fully off the rails partway through. I wish her luck.
An Atlantic piece about the endings of friendships.
This piece on Chinese-American poverty made me, unsurprisingly, profoundly sad.
I did not think I would cry about mourning doves and yet here we are.
Loved this piece on killed images from the WPA photography project.
Shit to eat
Filled with a profound existential weariness, realize that after spending two hours cleaning your house you are hungry and yet do not wish to make the food youâd meal planned.
Castigate yourself about being the sort of person who canât stick to a meal plan.
Remember that your boyfriend mentioned that the idea of Jimmy Johnâs seems unfathomable to him, that the sandwiches arenât even any good. Remember that you agreed, and also the owner trophy hunts elephants.
Really want a sandwich.
Order Jimmy Johnâs, which will deliver. Add the avocado, for reasons that are less âself careâ and more âfond memories of the avocado spread from one time you went to Jimmy Johnâs in Athens in collegeâ.
When the sandwich arrives, eat half of it, getting dressing on your shirt, while watching strangers play D&D.
Put the other half in the fridge for tomorrow for lunch, and be happy.
Shit to listen to
I have never seen a more wholesome comment section than the one on this Neil Young song.
Shit to buy
Just bought these press-ons. They almost certainly wonât arrive in time for me to eat tapas in them, but oh well.
Obsessed with this jumpsuit.