Hungover Friday
Oh, hi friends!
I am very hungover.
It’s not because I had too many drinks last night. Actually, I didn’t drink at all — I sort of even forgot to drink water, which probably accounts for the foggy feeling.
It’s more of a social hangover. But it’s one I’m happy to have.
Last night was my monthly-ish gathering of people at my apartment to talk about our projects and goals. It’s like this newsletter in offline form (and actually predates it)! Some people I’ve known for 11 years, since first moving to New York. Some I’d never met before last night. There are journalists-turned-actors, actors-turned-podcast editors, composers, theater folks, authors and editors, outdoor guides, comedy writers.
But here’s a secret: I don’t care what they do or what their job titles are — the only thing I need to know is that if you possess the patience and attention and vulnerability to share what you’re working on with a group of strangers, then I’m glad to know you.
So the hangover comes from being an introvert who shapeshifts into Extreme Extrovert for four hours. It is challenging, but worth it!
More and more I realize so many things fall into those two categories. And these are the questions worth asking:
Is it challenging?
Is it worth it?
Because the hangover will fade. The feeling of it being worthwhile will not.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Recently, I wrote about and how small pockets of time, used wisely, can help you create bigger projects. I was thinking about this in the context of writing or reading, but became an even bigger believer after Brass Ring reader Tina Jackson replied with the following about knitting her way through the day:
“I’m a knitter and often hear from others that they wish they could be as ‘fast’ as me. My response is always that I’m not fast just persistent. One time friends even secretly signed me up for a fastest knitter competition (yes, it’s a thing), probably to prove that I’m fast. But I came out middle of the pack.
The difference in my production and theirs is the row at the train crossing, the three rows in the waiting room, and the rows each evening while I watch TV. Fitting in a stitch here and there will add up to a full sweater/afghan/sock/whatever. But if someone thinks they need to find a block of time to knit all 100,000 stitches it will never happen.”
At the train crossing, in the waiting room, in front of the TV. Micro micro micro.
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Weird Tip of the Week: Wet Your Baguette
No one comes to me for cooking advice, unless they need to know the best bagged salad from Trader Joe’s (Southwestern Chopped) or which instant coffee doesn’t taste like sand (Cafe Bustelo). (And to think I once worked for Tasting Table!)
But now I have something to share! The other morning I was greeted by a rock-hard baguette on my counter. Or…half a rock-hard baguette. The other half was eaten with pub cheese the night before. I was sad, and then I thought: SURELY THERE IS A BETTER WAY?
(I know I could have thrown it out, but I wanted bread, OK? Sometimes you just want bread.)
So I googled something creative and not-at-all pathetic like, “how to fix hard baguette." And the Internet provides.
This Bon Appetit tip tells you how to revive sad bread: Completely soak it with water (terrifying), then put it in the oven between 300-325 degrees, directly on the rack, for 6-7 minutes.
Somehow, your wet loaf will turn into a happy crunchy loaf.
PS — If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kara Cutruzzula — I’m a writer in New York and I send this newsletter every weekday around 7:30 am ET.
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara