Try the Lifestraw filters: https://lifestraw.com As a backpacker, I’ve got one in both cars and most bags: you don’t have to lug the water around: instead you can filter at the point of consumption.
If you feel self-conscious about drinking through a big straw, they make models that are integrated into a water bottle, so it just looks like you’re carrying around a trendy, renewables-friendly stainless steel water bottle.
You need to get this stuff in print so I can highlight it.
An irritatingly musical friend once told me that scientifically, harmonies exist to make your spine go uhhhhh. Your superpower is doing that with words.
"I Capture the Castle" is easily one of my all-time favorite books and a huge influence on my fashion choices. Or, rather, an influence on how I think about clothes, since the clothing situations (and the clothing free situations) are off the chain just like everything else in that book--in an amazing, relatable, yearning-filled way. Jo March, wearing one good glove and carrying the other, singed one in her hand, hiding in the curtains is in a similar category.
In the crawl to Christmas I feel like a grumpy Energiser Bunny nearly drained of battery juice, mid-death rattle. Reading your post before work this morning was a spark of joy to keep me going. I love your writing. God and the yearning. I’ve been watching Sanditon recently and those regency mofos knew all about the yearn. I would hate to have lived in those days as a woman but all the longing looks and electric hand brushing? Swoon-city.
Dear Miss Pan - Although we’ve never met you are my special friend. Your newsletter is so good and your humor, a perfect match to mine. It warms up my life. I’m a big fan girl for the first time EVER, and I love how it feels to admire someone’s work remotely. Keep sharing every bookstore vibe and human quirk. The other comments show what a tribe you have created. Love, Tif
i LOVE other super-recognisers because they make you feel special. Or they make you feel awkward when they can remember an interaction that you don't...
I’ll remember peoples’ stories years later. But their name? No idea. So I’m missing the one key fact that’d make it easier to renew the ties: “Hey _____! New Zealand, 2007, right? Great to see you!” So instead, I have to work my way around to it: “Have we met?” Congrats on the superpower!
Ha, well if it makes you feel better I can almost never remember why I know someone’s face, just that I definitely know them. I can’t actually remember how I first met nearly all of my closest friends - even my best friend, who was best man at my wedding and my former flatmate, I can’t even remember how we ended up living together!
That’s hilarious. When I was younger and lived in London I used to see celebrities everywhere and would often just say “you’re XYZ!” and got to shake their hand. When I was at university I did it to the head of the civil service Gus O’Donnell and his response was to tell me to apply (I didn’t, thankfully). But as I got older I developed more of a sense of embarrassment and haven’t now done it in years. I suspect most people do quite like being recognised though, other than the ultra-famous for whom it must get tiresome.
Not quite as helpful but I am a voice super-recognizer. Not just radio/podcasts, tv/movie voice overs, and singers, but I can pick out the voice of people I’ve only met once or twice in a crowd. I’m not in control of it, it just pops up in my brain! No names stick, so I end up just listing the things they’ve been in or how I know the person to my husband which he barely tolerates haha
Lovely piece, funny and sad, and also White Flag makes me cry for a man who dumped me 23 years ago...even though, if he hadn't, I would never have met my lovely husband....!
Yes 🫢. But it is so satisfying when you do! Haha. I read a Julia Alvarez book and I just happened to have read every single Hemingway short story she alludes to (must’ve read the same collection haha), and I felt so smart. Also I think it made the book extra vivid. I still have nightmares about the villain.
You and your Substack are THE BEST. I am also so loving everyone's comments here. Also a spider is good enough reason to move out back to your parents and put the house up for sale. And I think me and your Mum could get on.
" I’ve found that even if these things do nothing and you look insane but it helps you sleep better at night, then it’s worth it"
Thanks for summing up my life's philosophy!
Also, I am going to assume that you have seen the Winona Ryder version of "Little Women" because it is the ultimate and the soundtrack is so beautiful too!
Funny I try not to drink tap water here in the States, but when we go to Germany (I married a German) more often than not tap water isn't a thing at restaurants (or at least they find it confusing and weird), so you always have to order a bottle.
I am a human calendar-- dates get stuck in my mind and I can’t help but text my friends “happy anniversary” from their high school relationships four partners ago. Loved this. Always a stop everything, there’s a new “Sorry I’m Late” post feeling
Would just like to say I don't buy bottled water everywhere! I filter my tap water in London and lug it around in a stainless steel bottle.
Try the Lifestraw filters: https://lifestraw.com As a backpacker, I’ve got one in both cars and most bags: you don’t have to lug the water around: instead you can filter at the point of consumption.
If you feel self-conscious about drinking through a big straw, they make models that are integrated into a water bottle, so it just looks like you’re carrying around a trendy, renewables-friendly stainless steel water bottle.
https://lifestraw.com/collections/lifestraw-go-series
Will check it out!
I travel to public schools for work. I rather dehydrate when I forget my water bottle - it's definitely about the germs.
You need to get this stuff in print so I can highlight it.
An irritatingly musical friend once told me that scientifically, harmonies exist to make your spine go uhhhhh. Your superpower is doing that with words.
Glad you're feeling better and bedbug-less.
[July Cancer]
July Cancer just like my mom!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Fellow July Cancer! 🙋🏽♀️ ♋︎
July Cancer! 🦀👋
"I Capture the Castle" is easily one of my all-time favorite books and a huge influence on my fashion choices. Or, rather, an influence on how I think about clothes, since the clothing situations (and the clothing free situations) are off the chain just like everything else in that book--in an amazing, relatable, yearning-filled way. Jo March, wearing one good glove and carrying the other, singed one in her hand, hiding in the curtains is in a similar category.
yes yes yes!
The dyed green tea gown and the crème de menthe, such a vivid book
In the crawl to Christmas I feel like a grumpy Energiser Bunny nearly drained of battery juice, mid-death rattle. Reading your post before work this morning was a spark of joy to keep me going. I love your writing. God and the yearning. I’ve been watching Sanditon recently and those regency mofos knew all about the yearn. I would hate to have lived in those days as a woman but all the longing looks and electric hand brushing? Swoon-city.
Dear Miss Pan - Although we’ve never met you are my special friend. Your newsletter is so good and your humor, a perfect match to mine. It warms up my life. I’m a big fan girl for the first time EVER, and I love how it feels to admire someone’s work remotely. Keep sharing every bookstore vibe and human quirk. The other comments show what a tribe you have created. Love, Tif
That is so kind, Tif. These comments warm up MY life!! xoxo
Love these vignettes - the only such kind of newsletter that I subscribe to. I have some super-recogniser talents too!
i LOVE other super-recognisers because they make you feel special. Or they make you feel awkward when they can remember an interaction that you don't...
Oh, I am so impressed when people can do that.
I’ll remember peoples’ stories years later. But their name? No idea. So I’m missing the one key fact that’d make it easier to renew the ties: “Hey _____! New Zealand, 2007, right? Great to see you!” So instead, I have to work my way around to it: “Have we met?” Congrats on the superpower!
Ha, well if it makes you feel better I can almost never remember why I know someone’s face, just that I definitely know them. I can’t actually remember how I first met nearly all of my closest friends - even my best friend, who was best man at my wedding and my former flatmate, I can’t even remember how we ended up living together!
I once waved at Calvin Harris before realising with horror, that no, we are not friends, he is just a famous ex-boyfriend of Taylor Swift!
That’s hilarious. When I was younger and lived in London I used to see celebrities everywhere and would often just say “you’re XYZ!” and got to shake their hand. When I was at university I did it to the head of the civil service Gus O’Donnell and his response was to tell me to apply (I didn’t, thankfully). But as I got older I developed more of a sense of embarrassment and haven’t now done it in years. I suspect most people do quite like being recognised though, other than the ultra-famous for whom it must get tiresome.
Agree 👏
Not quite as helpful but I am a voice super-recognizer. Not just radio/podcasts, tv/movie voice overs, and singers, but I can pick out the voice of people I’ve only met once or twice in a crowd. I’m not in control of it, it just pops up in my brain! No names stick, so I end up just listing the things they’ve been in or how I know the person to my husband which he barely tolerates haha
Lovely piece, funny and sad, and also White Flag makes me cry for a man who dumped me 23 years ago...even though, if he hadn't, I would never have met my lovely husband....!
it's a surprisingly poignant song!!!
Who else is motivated (a little too much) to read by the strange need to “get” every literary reference and allusion?
Adam, is that you?
Yes 🫢. But it is so satisfying when you do! Haha. I read a Julia Alvarez book and I just happened to have read every single Hemingway short story she alludes to (must’ve read the same collection haha), and I felt so smart. Also I think it made the book extra vivid. I still have nightmares about the villain.
As a fellow loud-laugher-among-friends, top-facial-recogniser, and an April Aries, I feel very very seen.
i see you, Ellie.
I see Amelie, I click.
You and your Substack are THE BEST. I am also so loving everyone's comments here. Also a spider is good enough reason to move out back to your parents and put the house up for sale. And I think me and your Mum could get on.
[August Leo]
You feel extremely August Leo.
I just self-gifted your book for my Christmas present 🎄📘
ohhh, i love that!!!!! thank you!!!
August Leo — who must now read The Artist’s Way immediately if not sooner!
" I’ve found that even if these things do nothing and you look insane but it helps you sleep better at night, then it’s worth it"
Thanks for summing up my life's philosophy!
Also, I am going to assume that you have seen the Winona Ryder version of "Little Women" because it is the ultimate and the soundtrack is so beautiful too!
Funny I try not to drink tap water here in the States, but when we go to Germany (I married a German) more often than not tap water isn't a thing at restaurants (or at least they find it confusing and weird), so you always have to order a bottle.
I agree that the 1994 version is the greatest of all the versions. It was true to the text and captured it's poignancy so well.
Thank you for your beautiful words.
Dido..brought memories of my ex wife..
I am a human calendar-- dates get stuck in my mind and I can’t help but text my friends “happy anniversary” from their high school relationships four partners ago. Loved this. Always a stop everything, there’s a new “Sorry I’m Late” post feeling
♥️♥️