FMG Newsletter: Music Recs + A Side of Vulnerability
Cheers!
Happy Friday and happy March — we’re here! I spent the past week-ish in Florida, and I’m proud to report that a slight tan and a few brightened highlights have successfully renewed my will to carry on.
A few more things keeping me going:
Music: My spring 2024 playlist is off to a stunning start! I have been listening to this song obsessively, and I can’t believe it has less than 300k plays on Spotify, because I do feel that you should ALL be listening to it as obsessively as I have been (I probably account for about 200k of those plays). It’s VERY unusual for me to know songs other than the ones everyone else is listening to, so please enjoy this rare occurrence and indulge me in listening.
The Bachelor: I saw this TikTok about Daisy, a contestant on this season of The Bachelor, and it gave me this dramatically deep thought that I attempted to share in video form but am instead going to elaborate on here. Basically, the video talks about how Daisy was an early fan favorite and seemed to be the frontrunner from day one — and the video’s creator talks about how she felt that way largely because “everyone” on social media was talking about/loving Daisy. I personally didn’t have that experience on social media (lots of Maria fans on my FYP), and it made me think about how important it is to remember that confirmation bias is a very real thing. In this age of social media and algorithmic news feeds, we’re being constantly served information we already agree with. That video creator likely hit the “like” button on a few pro-Daisy videos, so her feed gave her tons and tons more — thus leading her to believe that “everyone” is obsessed with Daisy. While this isn’t a huge deal in terms of reality television, it’s crucial to remember when we’re taking in our news. It so often feels like “everyone” is saying the same thing, but I like to remind myself that our respective corner of the Internet is not the same as everyone else’s. This brings us back to my first newsletter (humble plug for those of you who are newer subscribers, hi Matt), which offered another TikTok-adjacent example of ways we believe what we’re told when it’s the information we’re given.
A non-TikTok example: My sister and I frequently compare Instagram home pages — and while hers is filled with parenting influencers telling her all the ways she’s screwing up her children (she’s not), mine is filled with people who are far more talented and successful than I am (they are, lol).
And in case it isn’t clear: I have absolutely nothing against that TikTok creator or Daisy (though I don’t think she’s the one for Joey… I think I’m Team Kelsey purely after their little “Say it one more time” moment).
Stuff: Literally just two things I’ve purchased recently that I’m really enjoying, in case you need an excuse to indulge your consumerist impulses (hi, it’s me):
Hoka Arahi 7 Running Shoes: The Arahi 6s were my favorite running shoes I’d ever worn, and I ran and walked them into the literal ground. I was so excited when the Arahi 7s came out, and I purchased the sunny Papaya/Coral colorway immediately. Side note: Getting fitted (for free!) at Fleet Feet absolutely changed my workout game — I’ve struggled with Achilles, shin, and ankle pain for years, and finding the right shoes (and size) has helped SO much.
Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream: Seeing as I am not a 13-year-old boy, I generally steer clear of any beauty products that claim to do three things at once. I had, however, seen a lot of people using this cream to slick their ponytails back, and I finally bit the bullet and gave it a try. It is literally a TREAT to use! I personally love the smell (and I’m very picky about hair product smells — I usually buy unscented hairspray and dry shampoo), and it slicks back my buns and ponytails in a non-greasy way. I also like to use a bit of it on the days when I let my hair air dry, and it eases up some of the frizz.
Books: Multiple people in my real life told me that they didn’t love First Lie Wins, but I gave it a try because it seemed like a good beach read. I honestly really liked it! I wish Goodreads would let you give partial stars, because I’d give this book approximately a 3.65/5. I’ve now moved onto Weyward, which got a lot of buzz and did indeed hook me from the first few pages.
I recently asked my friend Thao (who is the author of one of my absolute favorite books of 2023, Banyan Moon, humble brag I have very cool friends!!!) for some rom-com book recs, and she shared a few and ALSO added a list of them in the latest edition of her newsletter. See her list here (and definitely subscribe to her newsy!). I’m going to read Bride next because Bella should’ve picked Jacob.
Help, This is Vulnerable: I’ve had a thought in my head for a few years about a story I wanted to put into words — and I finally did! I wrote this essay and decided to abandon the notion of waiting for it to be ~perfect~ and to instead share it with the world. I’d be so honored if you’d read it — and feel free to give me feedback, but only if it’s positive.
And with that, happy Friday and happy weekend! I hope it’s filled with as many espresso martinis as you want it to be, whether that number is 6 or 0. For me, it’s somewhere in the middle.
XO, Gail
And as a reminder:
It’s an election year, and it is my duty to remind you that while newsletters like this are crucial for maintaining sanity and levity, I am not a news source and am in no way a replacement for staying informed. For every newsletter you read that makes you smile, I hope you also read an informed take on politics, world events, and social issues (then fact check it!) — and for every heavy piece of news you take in, I hope you also consume and/or create a piece of art that promotes light, laughter, and joy.
Friend! Absolutely honored to get a FMG mention. And please please please tell me your thoughts on Bride? Esp. if The Knot makes sense to you? Still scratching my werewolf-anatomically-challenged brain.