Vesper martinis, Billy Porter, and big ups to the nannies
1.
Every once in a while The Cut publishes these great compilations of quotes from celebrated, accomplished women on various relatable topics, including most recently, “25 Famous Women on Achieving Success Later in Life.” This one really resonated for me (and I’m still thinking about it), as someone who’s often setting make-believe “life and career achievement” deadlines, while vacillating between feeling like an old-soul-in-a-young(ish)-body, and a late bloomer just observing all the obvious wunderkinds absolutely slay. Then again, a medical professional told me that I have the breasts of a 15-year-old the other day, so it’s nice that there are at least parts of me that are still quite young. ;) Anyways, to each their own tempo.
2.
Patrick recently mixed up a batch of vesper martinis for a small gathering at his place this weekend, and now I’m smitten. The drink was actually invented by the author Ian Fleming, whose legendary James Bond character spells delivers the recipe in the novel Casino Royale: “Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?” Bond tells a bartender. Despite the lovely, subtle softness imparted by the Lillet, this drink packs a punch. For a lower-ABV option, I’d suggest a ‘reverse martini’ which I discovered while reading up on all the various martinis out there (I mean, if I’m gonna drink them, I should know the difference between dry, dirty, French, and 50/50 martinis, right?) Not that I could ever get too fatigued over my beloved negronis, but it’s nice to have options.
3.
Let the good times roll: As I muse over the perfect playlist and which babydoll dress I’ll wear for an upcoming 90s-themed dance party with friends, this news of an old-school-inspired roller skating rink’s forthcoming arrival at Rockefeller Center has me super psyched for summertime, and more fun occasions to “pump up the jams” and “shake that body” in general (skates or no skates…probably better for my clumsy ass if it’s no skates, to be honest).
4.
I realize I’m treading on a potential minefield by saying this—as someone who’s child-free—but I love, love, LOVED this speech that Melanie Lynskey gave after receiving the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series (for Yellowjackets). Especially this part: "The most important person I think I have to thank, and then I'm finished, is my nanny, Sally. I love her. She’s an absolute angel. She's with my child, and my child is safe and taken care of, and she allows me to go and do my work. Thank you, Sally. I love you so much. Thank you."
Nannies and housekeepers are often considered an ‘invisible workforce,’ so to speak, and yet their jobs are arguably the most critical to enabling others to do theirs, especially mothers and other women. We’ve gotten away from the outdated notion of equating success with ‘having it all,’ yet there’s still a lot of BS mystique around how women achieve success in our daily lives—on whatever level. I think a lot of us (women) still feel we’ll be seen as less if we acknowledge needing help from others. It’s a real and legitimate concern, unshockingly impressed upon us by our still-sexist society. I’m in awe of all my mom friends and colleagues. And I think it’s ok/goddamn necessary to have support, especially if it allows them to be and do better in their own lives. I hope Lynskey’s speech will inspire others to recognize the sources of theirs, or to even ask for it.
5.
Lastly, this evening my friend Jason and I are seeing The Life, adapted and directed by Billy Porter, and I am SO excited!