hey, you! happy Sunday!
thanks for reading the seventeenth issue of The Kids Are All Right, a weekend TikTok digest written by me, a film critic who is rushing to see all of the Best Picture nominees at the last possible second.
enjoy,
L
🎶 What’s Lena Thinkin’ About? 🎶
i survived my camping trip and had a lovely time with Neil, some books, and the great outdoors. unfortunately as soon as i returned i was struck down by sinusitis, causing my vacation days to turn into sick days for a moment. i’m feeling much better now and got to enjoy some lovely Brooklyn sunshine this weekend. i even went to the zoo yesterday!!
as i mentioned, i’ve also been scrambling to watch the Oscar nominees (sigh). the Oscars are elitist claptrap etc. etc. but everybody is asking me what i think of them so once more unto the breach. i was very pleasantly surprised by Sound of Metal, which inspired me to keep on trucking through the rest. that’s probably what i’ll get up to right after i send this newsletter!
when not taking antibiotics, i’ve been:
🎵 listening to: the advice podcast Just Break Up, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift, Art Angels by Grimes
👁 watching: Seeking Sister Wife, Sound of Metal, Nomadland, Never Rarely Sometimes Always
📚 reading: The Shell Collector, The Beauty Suit: How My Year of Religious Modesty Made Me a Better Feminist, The Elegance of the Hedgehog
The Main Event
here are some of my favorite TikToks as of late.
✨✨✨
Mystery Molds
Shelby Sherritt, a young ceramicist in Australia, hit the jackpot when a purchase from an internet stranger made her the unsuspecting owner of many unidentified slip casting molds. with no way of knowing what each mold would produce, she has gone on to make a series of TikToks revealing each one. the pieces are delightful, especially if — like me — you love nature and tchotchkes. Sherritt also shows her painting/firing process for each piece and overall has an extremely delightful/infectious attitude. here are some of my favorites from her now-25-part series.
Betta Fish
through TikTok, i have learned that serious Betta fish owners are hard core, in large part to compensate for the rampant mistreatment of Bettas. (Betta fish are actually not supposed to live in cramped vases, despite what Petco may say.) here are some TikTokkers who have really gone the extra mile for their colorful little fish.
a Betta tank more elaborately decorated and well cared for than any home i may ever occupy
DIY fish surgery + results (she looks so much healthier!)
British Delight
Max Balegde is a Northerner living in London who uses his fabulous accent for all sorts of videos, but i like his account best when he’s talking about the little things in his life that make him happy. he especially loves to talk about food. it’s adorable. here are some of his big fat TikToks, ya gozzer.
Misc. Delightful Content
you know what’s up.
Dancer of the Week
that’s it for now! remember: if we’re kind and polite, the world will be right. 🐻