A new thing...
that is kind of an old thing, but I am making it new again. Just like Gen Zs bringing back low-rise jeans!
I have always been a fan of the Black Eyed Peas - I saw them in Edmonton a VERY long time ago at West Edmonton Mall, when ED's, the bowling alley, was Red's — a pretty dope little music venue. I am also a fan of word play, and as an homage to the brilliant Will.I.AM and because my name is Natasha Ch.I.AM, I've decided to start a weekly curated list for you called,
wait for it...
What.I.AM
I know I've been doing this already at the end of my newsletters, but I am currently taking a writing workshop with Courtney Kocak (of Podcast Bestie and The Bleeders fame here on Substack) and she is having all of us work on our newsletters and figure out how best to serve you, my wonderful readers.
So, I've decided to make you a weekly list of what I am currently loving, doing, reading, writing, arithmatic-ing... (OK, not that last one — I don't do math). Think of this as a curated collection of all the things I would tell you about if we had a standing coffee date each week (for the locals, I'll even include a fave coffee shop in YEG).
For today, let's pretend we are sitting at the new Coffee Bureau location that recently opened in the Mercury Block building just off 123 Street and 102 Avenue in Edmonton.
What.I.AM drinking
I used to be a cappuccino drinker, but in this economy, foam is a luxury! In an effort to get more bang for my buck, I now favour a lactose-free latte. The reasons I keep ending up back at Coffee Bureau are twofold. One, they make a damn good latte, and two, I am a sucker for the to-go cups because they use RED lids. I don't know why that matters, but I am convinced that the coffee tastes better coming out of a cup with a red lid. (And yes, yes, I know, I should be bringing my own to-go cup. I just have to find one with a red lid!)
What.I.AM reading
I am in a book club that I lovingly refer to as my White Lady Book Club - because, well, that's what we all are (don't be mad at me Ladies). I love us! We are a fun group. And YES, we do actually talk about the books we read. This month's book club pick is one I chose, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. How could I resist? A scandal story about a white woman and an Asian woman who are both writers - YES, please!
I'm really looking forward to the conversations we are going to have at this month's WLBC meet up!
What.I.AM watching
I started watching Disclaimer on Apple TV and I am not sure how I feel about it. Which I think may be the point/appeal of this psychological thriller from Alfonso Cuarón.
The narrative nature of this seven-part series takes some getting used to, and Cuarón does a masterful job of leaving you a bit confused about who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist. (DISCLAIMER of my own - at the time I am writing this, I have NOT watched the finale).
Sacha Cohen Baron is practically unrecognizable in the show, Cate Blanchett is brilliant as per usual, and I have missed seeing Kevin Kline on my screen.
UPDATE: I watched the Finale (BIG ASS trigger warning folks) and WOW! I predict all the awards going to this one in 2025.
What.I.AM eating
This one is hyper-local, but if you ever visit me here in Edmonton, this is where I am taking you! Chef Daniel Costa has just opened a new Italian restaurant in west downtown called OLIA, flanked by two other Costa-run establishments — swanky bar MIMI on one side, and sandwich place VA on the other. I admit that until now, I have not been on the Costa bandwagon. That has all changed ever since I had the Caramelle roasted pumpkin pasta dish at Olia. I don’t think I have ever moaned as audibly as I did after just one bite! My foodie friend made me (made me! lol) try the whipped burrata on crostini (Cloud Toast) and again, my mouth had another ummm..... VERY good time!
Go and make a reservation for whenever you can get in to this new YEG restaurant and be ready for a gastronomic experience that will blow your mind/mouth!
What.I.AM listening to
The past few months I have been listening to nothing but podcasts about the US election and I've had my fill of political punditry for a VERY long time.
So what do I turn to... true crime of course.
In Her Defense is a Globe and Mail podcast by veteran journalist Jana Pruden. The first season was about Helen Naslund and her conviction for the murder of her abusive husband. All episodes of season two, In Her Defence: 50th Street are now available wherever you listen to podcasts and I can't recommend it enough.
This season is about the unsolved murder of Amber Tuccaro, an indigenous woman and mother from Fort Chipewyan. Jana and her crew do an amazing job interviewing and digging into these women’s stories, as well as honouring and respecting the victims and families along the way. Please have a listen wherever you get your podcasts.
That’s all for this week friends. What are some of the people/places/things you are loving this week? Let me know in the comments so I can check them out too!
I would really appreciate if you would share this newsletter with some friends/colleagues/strangers on the internet and encourage them to subscribe too! It’s about to become a lot more frequent and hopefully more helpful/informative/fun for you and for me!
Have a good weekend everyone. And also, how on earth is it already the middle of November!? This has been the longest year ever AND it has gone by way too fast!
XOXO,
Natasha~