The highly anticipated sequel
Oh Messy Life #39
Welcome to Human Pursuits, the column that features need-to-know names and stories in media and other creative spaces. Today, words and photos from a sort-of-staycation, and updates from Friends of the Newsletter, including Eliza McLamb, LIBERO, Deanie Chen, Yasi Salek, PUP, and more.
It’s hard to beat Vancouver in the summer. Residents joke that the season, which spans roughly 12 weeks, from the start of July to the end of September (G*d willing), is the reason why we put up with so much bullshit.
High rents and bad traffic. Unfriendly people and the rain.
Every joke contains a kernel of truth, of course. If I must leave Vancouver in the summer, I’d prefer to be within striking distance. After all, I am paying for this.
Last year, Leah and I planned a staycation following our wedding and found it to be surprisingly relaxing. And so, like any good blockbuster, we fast-tracked a sequel.
Roll playback.
Title: Salt Spring Island II: The First Anniversary.
Synopsis: One year after their wedding on B.C.’s biggest Gulf Island, a young couple returns to see “what’s good.” This includes stops at Francis Bread (amazing pastries, alright coffee), Cusheon Lake (perfect for floating), the blackberry bush on the side of the road (tart), and an Airbnb so mid they swear to never use the app again (there were a lot of spiders). Their romantic weekend veers into the surreal, as they encounter several noteworthy strangers, including an insurance man who says his wine tastes “like gravel,” a woman who is “unhappy with her Chat GPT situation,” and an Airbnb host who challenges their decision to dry the white towels on the wooden deck (my bad; but seriously, you should’ve seen the size of these spiders).
Oh Messy Life
ICYMI: Last week’s interview was with Smut singer and lyricist Tay Roebuck. We discussed the band’s new album, Tomorrow Comes Crashing, finding success in your 30s, channeling Gerard Way, referencing Icarus, the band’s move from Cincinnati to Chicago, the meaning of life, and getting a 7.4 from Pitchfork.
Things I read this week: on Project Pabst Music Festival, and Dagny Tepper’s first poetry book.
Good company: is one of 2025’s top creator-model journalists, according to Project C.
had another big week online. They released a Tiny Desk concert with NPR, and Steve appeared on the Doughboys podcast (appearance begins around 14:51).
Deanie Chen took some great photos of Brittany Broski.
announced two album release shows in Brooklyn and Raleigh, NC. The former is sold out. It’d be cooler to see her in Raleigh anyway.
Wolf pack: Adam and the team at LIBERO just dropped some new tees and hats. Anecdotally, I have been seeing their Mercato Forza Libero Tifosi hat everywhere lately. Love the new blue colourway.
Oh, and we got a new song from Isabel Pless. Listen here.
Proper Chune
I’m finally digging into Rob Harvilla’s 60 Songs That Explain The ‘90s. It’s just as good as everyone says. The episode on “Hey Jealousy,” in particular, blew me away. For whatever reason, I hadn’t considered the lyrics before.
My next guest is…
Francis Zierer, editor of beehiiv’s Creator Spotlight newsletter and podcast, and the co-host of Tasteland.
Meme Machine
one at a time
