{"id":164598,"date":"2021-01-01T19:39:36","date_gmt":"2021-01-02T00:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=164598"},"modified":"2022-12-14T08:27:36","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T13:27:36","slug":"things-that-got-me-through-2020-in-no-particular-order","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=164598","title":{"rendered":"Things that got me through 2020. In no particular order."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xJiSQz7J0wU\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/F3FA894A-FD43-4CDC-ACC4-F64DE463EFAF-scaled-e1609609387356.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164805\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/tumblr_nydipv16VC1ql2w65o1_500.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164661\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nElvis mask, made for me by Jill Blake who was like &#8220;I just happened to have this Elvis 68 Comeback Special fabric lying around &#8230; do you want a mask?&#8221; Do you have to ask?<\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/93397446_10157435468857632_7925099905419313152_o-e1587051017724.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"526\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/93397446_10157435468857632_7925099905419313152_o-e1587051017724.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/93397446_10157435468857632_7925099905419313152_o-e1587051017724-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/93397446_10157435468857632_7925099905419313152_o-e1587051017724-400x301.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/93397446_10157435468857632_7925099905419313152_o-e1587051017724-100x75.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nThere were so many great videos showing artists still creating &#8211; or trying to create and entertain &#8211; during lockdown. This one is my favorite: <\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_pALsCSZmWY\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nIt didn&#8217;t matter that I was in lockdown, living alone, in total isolation. Every day, come hell or high water, I applied Kat von D tattoo liquid eyeliner plus copious mascara. It made me feel human. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71t9mY7Ev8L._SY450_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71t9mY7Ev8L._SY450_.jpg 338w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71t9mY7Ev8L._SY450_-150x200.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71t9mY7Ev8L._SY450_-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71t9mY7Ev8L._SY450_-75x100.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 338px) 100vw, 338px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/12376617_10153452373682632_4670633112316162431_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/12376617_10153452373682632_4670633112316162431_n.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/12376617_10153452373682632_4670633112316162431_n-174x200.jpg 174w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/12376617_10153452373682632_4670633112316162431_n-347x400.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/12376617_10153452373682632_4670633112316162431_n-87x100.jpg 87w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8313-scaled-e1609607635617.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164793\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2756885278_5ee023bbed_c.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2756885278_5ee023bbed_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2756885278_5ee023bbed_c-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2756885278_5ee023bbed_c-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2756885278_5ee023bbed_c-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2756885278_5ee023bbed_c-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/tumblr_ae469f822a21ed69c1aee1fbce3f0b33_ca28d9ce_400.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"295\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164662\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/the_story_of_lovers_rock-e1609553228682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164741\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/8F6F0338-165B-485B-BD9B-BF00D15CA472-scaled-e1609543070856.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164679\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/nick-tosches.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/nick-tosches.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/nick-tosches-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/nick-tosches-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/nick-tosches-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/nick-tosches-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/81vfBAHwdXL._SL1200_-e1609528759632.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164619\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nYouTube reactor community, primarily:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/ScriptWork\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">ScriptWork<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/stevie1184\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Stevie Knight<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/MrVideo123\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCs7HgGsgbN25CvyWgoZPqvg\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">R. Toney Reactions<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/LayedBakDFR\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">LayedBakDFR<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/LarissaLauren\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Larissa and Lauren<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCopm4iCRGWS6PkLB8uDe-Wg\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Twins is the new trend<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/ScruReactions\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Scru Face Jean<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/OhMyGoshIndia\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">India Reacts<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UChvrXWHYgybT-2sYL-TEUig\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Jayy Show<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/jayglol\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Jamel_AKA_Jamal<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/TOOSUSHI\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Too Sushi<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/JBLETHALTV\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">JBLETHAL TV<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCcdO6nozr4v-rHv6CrEoHEw\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sincerely KSO<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/THECIGARRALPHY\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">CIGAR RALPHY TV<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCKUCm3FepRrl-VKhq0Wwajg\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">No Life Shaq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71Tszgx-35L-e1609554969513.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"732\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164752\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nSpeaking of which, my film critic friends, many of whom I don&#8217;t have pictures of, but who were there as a community &#8211; online &#8211; on Instagram\/Facebook\/Twitter and in some cases doing periodic Zooms &#8211; I miss them. I miss seeing them at screenings. Running into them. Gathering at Keith and Dan&#8217;s. In no particular order again:<br \/>\nFarran Smith Nehme<br \/>\nKim Morgan<br \/>\nIsobel Smith<br \/>\nLiz Helfgott<br \/>\nGlenn Kenny<br \/>\nK. Austin Collins<br \/>\nHillary Weston<br \/>\nTomris Laffly<br \/>\nAngelica Bastien<br \/>\nNicolas Rapold<br \/>\nAbbey Bender<br \/>\nStephanie Zacharek<br \/>\nOdie Henderson<br \/>\nSteven Santos<br \/>\nJourdain Searles<br \/>\nAndrew Chan<br \/>\nDana Stevens<br \/>\nJen Johans<br \/>\nChristina Newland<br \/>\nBill Ryan<br \/>\nDavid Moses<br \/>\nBilge Ebiri<br \/>\nSean Burns<br \/>\nMichael Koresky<br \/>\nJonathan Goldman<br \/>\nJohn Beifuss<br \/>\nKeith Uhlich<br \/>\nDan Callahan<br \/>\nJill Blake<br \/>\nKelly Sedinger<br \/>\nManohla Dargis<br \/>\nCaden Gardner<br \/>\nMonica Castillo<br \/>\nMatt Zoller Seitz<br \/>\nAlan Scherstuhl<br \/>\nSonny Bunch<br \/>\nCatherine Stebbins<br \/>\nMiriam Bale<br \/>\nSimon Abrams<br \/>\nCharlie Taylor<br \/>\nEd Gonzalez<br \/>\nWillow Catelyn Maclay<br \/>\nThe Ebert team: Chaz Ebert, Brian Tallerico, Matt Fagerholm, Nell Minow, Nick Allen<\/p>\n<p>Also, all of my <em>Supernatural<\/em> friends:<br \/>\nJessie<br \/>\nHelena<br \/>\nCassandra<br \/>\nMutecypher<br \/>\nEveryone who shows up to comment on my <em>Supernatural<\/em> posts &#8211; love the discussions<br \/>\nall the <em>Supernatural<\/em> folks on Twitter &#8211; Candi, KJM, The Big Winchester, Antipodes Annie, Rainbow Tits McGee (lol), Kelios &#8230; every one of you who kept talking about the show, loving on the show, having great Twitter discussions during the endless lock-down before the finale<\/p>\n<p>And then Instagram, all the feeds that gave me joy, made me think, gave me a break, gave me hope &#8211; go seek these feeds out, if you&#8217;re on Instagram:<br \/>\nMaria McKee<br \/>\nAccidentally Wes Anderson<br \/>\nHistory of Art<br \/>\nLana Sator<br \/>\nLian Lunson<br \/>\nVelvet Coke<br \/>\nRoyce da 5&#8217;9&#8243;<br \/>\nCamp.O.Rama<br \/>\nSarah Nicole Prickett<br \/>\nEveryday Refugees<br \/>\nBethostern (Howard Stern&#8217;s wife. Her feed is mostly cats. It&#8217;s healing.)<br \/>\nMichael Rapaport<br \/>\nGigantesNazare (about the surfing at Nazare in Portugal: terrifying and awe-inspiring waves)<br \/>\nThe Ballerina<br \/>\nLinda Thompson<br \/>\nMuhammed Muheisen<br \/>\nCourtney Love<br \/>\nKing Bach<br \/>\nDiane Keaton<br \/>\nTobe Nwigwe<br \/>\nKxng Crooked<br \/>\nCats of Instagram<br \/>\nOur Planet Daily<br \/>\nOld Fashion Vibes<br \/>\nSkylar Grey<br \/>\nSam Shaw Photo<br \/>\nMegan Abbott<br \/>\nBig Foot Waves<br \/>\nBritney Spears #FREEBRITNEY<br \/>\nEpson Pro Photography<br \/>\nJack Black<br \/>\nMonastery of the Angels<br \/>\nChelsea Handler<br \/>\nNan Goldin Studio<br \/>\nThe 90s Supermodels<br \/>\nEllen von Unwerth<br \/>\nNASA Hubble<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8029-scaled-e1609529068553.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164620\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nMy college-graduate nephew Cashel &#8211; drawing by my mother: <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8903-e1609607677288.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164794\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/S7NG2ZY32ZDV3DYLGTMFVXVAP4-e1609564266975.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164760\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/atrupar\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Aaron Rupar on Twitter.<\/a> There are others who kept up the flow of information during an incredibly challenging year. But I&#8217;ll pull him out because what he was doing was so unique and very meaningful in the atmosphere of lies coming from the top. Speaking of which:<\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Hannah-Arendt-1963-e1609545343430.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"607\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164699\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nand &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Menand-1984at70-e1609545231973.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164698\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n&#8230; but he gets me through every year. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/b215f52f932bcf630ee56c2d16866e41.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"303\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164663\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nNothing like the friends you met when you were 10. Or, in some cases here, 6. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/21250135879_0b5b7471db_c-e1609616603575.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164821\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/anigif_sub-buzz-149-1582879088-1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164670\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/81cAz1EMgFL._AC_SL1500_-e1609535872123.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"499\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164659\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/giphy-1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164668\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vastof-Night.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vastof-Night.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vastof-Night-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vastof-Night-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vastof-Night-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vastof-Night-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nThe &#8220;informality&#8221; of the Zoom-pandemic-world led to some of the best celebrity interviews! It&#8217;s been an embarrassment of riches. Cut out the middle-man, the weird arch-artificial set-up of most interviews, the same sound-bites. It&#8217;s a new world now. I&#8217;ll miss it when the world opens up again. This first one is, at least, the most in-depth thing I&#8217;ve ever seen regarding Jensen: <\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q-KviOroHeU\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nThen there was Joe Rogan interviewing Miley Cyrus, which &#8211; again &#8211; it&#8217;s the best interview with Cyrus ever &#8211; no contest &#8211; and it&#8217;s quickly become one of my favorite celeb interviews ever: <\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D7WUMXKV-FE\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nAnd finally: Eminem is famously elusive and even more famously cagey and guarded in interviews. Right before lockdown came one of the best interviews with him in existence: he appeared on Mike Tyson&#8217;s podcast:<\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vvSySR8RdzY\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nSpeaking of which: Excepting my family and friends, he&#8217;s what got me through, culturally, as a self-sustaining digging-into-discography from start to finish project. I can&#8217;t explain it. It just happened that way. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0519.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"636\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0519.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0519-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0519-400x398.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0519-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nThis moment, during one of Pat McCurdy&#8217;s Live Facebook shows on Friday nights: This person remembered me from when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=8775\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">I used to perform with Pat<\/a> in Chicago <i>in the mid-90s<\/i> &#8211; and he wasn&#8217;t the only one to ask if I &#8220;was there&#8221; but he was the first: <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8494-scaled-e1609609503529.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164807\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/81xHM-7JnFL-e1609544233256.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"674\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164690\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"459\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge-200x153.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge-400x306.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge-100x77.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nHigh-waisted boot-cut yoga pants. Every. Day. I bought multiple pairs. Every. Day. All. Day. Alone in my apartment for weeks on end. It&#8217;s all I wore. Preferable to wearing pajamas all day because then you really go down into a wormhole of despair. So yes. I got dressed. In my boot-cut yoga pants and a fleece sweatshirt. And carefully-applied thick black liquid eyeliner and thick black mascara. All day. Every day. It&#8217;ll be weird to, like, wear my other shit when all this is over.<\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2094188-e1609551486497.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164732\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nI don&#8217;t know what it is, I never was into pineapple before this year. Now I can&#8217;t get enough. I DEVOUR pineapple. Like a WILDEBEAST. I&#8217;d get anxious if I didn&#8217;t have pineapple in the house. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pineapples_1283638660-e1609546406939.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164710\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nMy sister and I freakin&#8217; made this Woody scarecrow for the town&#8217;s annual scarecrow display. (Woody is being a good citizen and is using his handkerchief as a mask.) We Googled &#8220;How to make a scarecrow&#8221; and then followed the directions. Neither of us are crafty. I quit Girl Scouts when they made us do crafts. But look at what we made. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0720-scaled-e1609548380353.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164723\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nMy cousin Emma (aka Lil Frex &#8230; I&#8217;ve written about her on here before!) is insane &#8211; in a great way &#8211; and has been doing a web series this whole pandemic called &#8220;That&#8217;s What I Heard.&#8221; I love her so much. &#8220;I&#8217;m smoking a cigarette AND I&#8217;m writing a letter to Santa Claus.&#8221; Cameo by my Aunt Regina. Here&#8217;s Emma&#8217;s year-end round-up but all individual episodes are on YouTube. <\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZTC475lfVZE\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nAlso in the cousin realm: since quarantine began, my cousin Kerry has been posting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kerryromalley\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a daily picture of her with her dog on Instagram<\/a>, in matching Boston-team sports merch with matching masks. A different one every day. It became this soothing daily ritual: <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kerry.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"591\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kerry.jpg 475w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kerry-161x200.jpg 161w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kerry-321x400.jpg 321w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/kerry-80x100.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/walter-hill-e1609547701617.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"424\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164718\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/b3eea7cb3cf18adde57f6f59e441577a-e1609544703374.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"684\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164695\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/radha-blank-40-year-old-version-e1609553359165.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164744\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/merrily-we-go-to-hell-1932-001-00m-uvl-dorothy-arzner-e1609553701563.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"757\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164749\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/John-Sturges-filming-Bad-Day-at-Black-e1609536307394.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"774\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164664\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/26B3E8E4-65DE-4BE5-A004-2F3BB5AA426E-e1609553554462.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"750\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164746\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TQG_107_Unit_01210RC-e1609536912648.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164671\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/proust-in-search-of-lost-time.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"485\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/proust-in-search-of-lost-time.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/proust-in-search-of-lost-time-200x194.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/proust-in-search-of-lost-time-400x388.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/proust-in-search-of-lost-time-100x97.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hsm4poTWjMs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_1460-scaled-e1609529615609.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164628\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Apr-09-20_hospital_COVID_1200x630-571x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"571\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Apr-09-20_hospital_COVID_1200x630-571x300-1.jpg 571w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Apr-09-20_hospital_COVID_1200x630-571x300-1-200x105.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Apr-09-20_hospital_COVID_1200x630-571x300-1-400x210.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Apr-09-20_hospital_COVID_1200x630-571x300-1-100x53.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>Binge-watching, in general. A small sample:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/twinpeaks.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/twinpeaks.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/twinpeaks-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/twinpeaks-400x227.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/twinpeaks-100x57.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/homeland.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"568\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/homeland.jpg 568w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/homeland-200x146.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/homeland-400x293.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/homeland-100x73.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/MV5BMjhiMzgxZTctNDc1Ni00OTIxLTlhMTYtZTA3ZWFkODRkNmE2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_-e1609544310962.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"696\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164691\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/the-leftovers-season-3-poster-original-e1609529780890.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"740\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164631\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/x-files-1-e1609529837907.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"410\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164632\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/35285-e1609529877291.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164633\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lovesick-netflix.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164634\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lovesick-netflix.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lovesick-netflix-200x83.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lovesick-netflix-400x167.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lovesick-netflix-100x42.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/51gmkgLmazL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"329\" height=\"500\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/51gmkgLmazL.jpg 329w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/51gmkgLmazL-132x200.jpg 132w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/51gmkgLmazL-263x400.jpg 263w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/51gmkgLmazL-66x100.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 329px) 100vw, 329px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nZoom call with friends, after Mitchell&#8217;s slow recovery from COVID. We were required to show up in costume. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8454.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8454.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8454-200x120.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8454-400x240.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8454-100x60.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nLuisa and Brenda and their oasis-home: <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_9092-scaled-e1609543995809.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164687\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nAfter Hope died, my sister and the kids bought me one of these puffy stuffed animals &#8211; a cat one. The kids are obsessed with them, and each of them have multiple &#8220;versions&#8221; &#8211; and I had admired one of Pearl&#8217;s a couple nights before. They&#8217;re SO soft. The day after I had to put Hope to sleep, Jean and the kids surprised me with a bouquet, and home-made cards, and they had something in a bag &#8211; the kids all hovered around me as I opened it. I FLIPPED OUT when I saw what it was and the kids were SO excited to see my reaction. It was so touching. Especially because of what THEY all have been going through, to take the time to comfort me because I lost my cat. It was one of the major moments of Love this year. And I&#8217;ve slept with it ever since. Nights are the hardest because Hope and I had a whole ROUTINE. I still hear her feet in the other room sometimes. So I love my puff-puff cat. Every time I look at it I feel loved and I feel love. For my hurting mourning family, who are grieving so much.<\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0229-scaled-e1609530628510.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164642\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nAlex (my friend, Alexandra Billings.) She started her 8-month run in <i>Wicked<\/i> on Broadway in late February. I went to see her in it. SO thankful I did because Broadway shut down soon after, throwing the world of theatre people into disarray, despair, mourning. We did a Facebook Live conversation for her followers where we talked about Liza Minnelli, our attempts to infiltrate Scientology and Judy Garland&#8217;s acting &#8230; and half of the time both of us are in a blur, because we are rolling about laughing. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8458-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"641\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164772\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8458-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8458-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8458-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8458-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8461.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"639\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8461.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8461-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8461-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_8461-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/v1.dDs3NDY3OTM7ajsxODY4MzsxMjAwOzEwODA7MTM1MA-e1609530686322.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"625\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164643\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_9569-scaled-e1609530761956.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164644\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/81uetpl5DL-e1609559737655.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"772\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164757\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Writing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=159343\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">this<\/a>. It took me a long time to get it to what I considered to be right. It took me that long because I didn&#8217;t really understand it, even though it happened to me. Writing that piece changed me. Something lifted. Not really ready to write about that part of it, and maybe I never will. But something important shifted once I got that piece out of me and into the world. I own it now. Who he was to me. I understand now. It&#8217;s not often you actually shift the narrative of your own past. Like Tom Robbins wrote: &#8220;It&#8217;s never too late to have a happy childhood.&#8221; Or a happy 20s-30s. <\/p>\n<p>John Krasinski&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/SomeGoodNews\/videos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Some Good News<\/a>, especially the online Prom he hosted.<\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VQLi2GYVULc\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nSpike Lee&#8217;s &#8220;New York New York&#8221;, which he posted to his Instagram in May, and it, of course, went viral. We at the NYFCC are giving him a special award for this film. It was so mournful but so hopeful. In a time when the leadership of this country was outright hostile towards the sick, the helpless, the needy, refusing to wear masks, refusing to mourn, blaming healthcare workers for not wearing masks properly (there are <i>NO WORDS<\/i>), when everyone (who wasn&#8217;t a heartless idiot) was filled with anxiety and concern for their fellow humans &#8230; making enormous sacrifices to social-distance, losing jobs and homes &#8211; with ZERO federal assistance &#8211; AND they&#8217;re trying to take away healthcare <i>in the middle of a pandemic &#8230; fucking ghouls<\/i> &#8230; when New York was an eerie ghosttown like out of a science fiction movie &#8211; everyone hurting and scared and in their apartments uncertain about the future, mourning their dead family members, unable to have wakes or funerals, worrying about their elderly family members or at-risk family members &#8230; in May, as the reality was starting to sink in that the shutdown was going to go on much longer than anticipated &#8230; out came this short film from Spike Lee. I have watched it so many times when I needed strength, or the light at the end of the tunnel. It&#8217;s a love letter to New York, its resilience &#8211; FRANK!! &#8211; but also an acknowledgement of the current reality as it stood. For me, it&#8217;s one of the films of the year. Thank you, Spike. <\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DtNI_fIAFb8\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71g81feMjTL._AC_SX425_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"425\" height=\"482\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71g81feMjTL._AC_SX425_.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71g81feMjTL._AC_SX425_-176x200.jpg 176w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71g81feMjTL._AC_SX425_-353x400.jpg 353w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/71g81feMjTL._AC_SX425_-88x100.jpg 88w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/miley-cyrus-plastic-hearts-album-cover-1606506837-e1609546030725.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"599\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164705\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/giphy-2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"240\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164672\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nAnd strangely enough: this place. I wrote a lot here this year. I researched all these different people I&#8217;d never written about before, and in some cases had never even heard of before. I challenged myself. It kept me focused, especially since I didn&#8217;t have my <i>Film Comment<\/i> column to occupy me anymore. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/giphy-3.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"311\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164701\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/delroy-lindo-monologue-da-5-bloods-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"618\" height=\"412\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/delroy-lindo-monologue-da-5-bloods-2.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/delroy-lindo-monologue-da-5-bloods-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/delroy-lindo-monologue-da-5-bloods-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/delroy-lindo-monologue-da-5-bloods-2-100x67.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Brody-NotAPrettyPicture-e1583279323977.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"488\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Brody-NotAPrettyPicture-e1583279323977.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Brody-NotAPrettyPicture-e1583279323977-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Brody-NotAPrettyPicture-e1583279323977-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Brody-NotAPrettyPicture-e1583279323977-100x75.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/AH.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"551\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/AH.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/AH-145x200.jpg 145w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/AH-290x400.jpg 290w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/AH-73x100.jpg 73w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\nI thank my aunt Regina: I texted her: &#8220;Your skin is so perfect. I need a good cleanser. What do you use?&#8221; Instantly her answer came back. I went and bought a bottle and I&#8217;ll never look back. It&#8217;s amazing. <\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/61RCScxXyML._SL1500_-e1609531380959.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164647\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/tumblr_423defc4dfe1275aa7d8480703670588_cf68175b_540.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164649\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/41Fm4XPGE5L._SX311_BO1204203200_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"313\" height=\"499\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/41Fm4XPGE5L._SX311_BO1204203200_.jpg 313w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/41Fm4XPGE5L._SX311_BO1204203200_-125x200.jpg 125w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/41Fm4XPGE5L._SX311_BO1204203200_-251x400.jpg 251w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/41Fm4XPGE5L._SX311_BO1204203200_-63x100.jpg 63w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 313px) 100vw, 313px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/960x0-e1609544403289.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164692\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/9781883011772.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"278\" height=\"450\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/9781883011772.jpeg 278w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/9781883011772-124x200.jpeg 124w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/9781883011772-247x400.jpeg 247w, https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/9781883011772-62x100.jpeg 62w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/ddaea67ffce2324955a382e86df755e3.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"349\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164789\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/biden-harris-win-e1609531972332.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-164653\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SHs6Z_U5E0Q\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\nAnd last, but definitely not least, and I&#8217;m pulling her out of the Instagram section because she deserves it: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/januaryjones\/?hl=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">January Jones&#8217; Instagram<\/a>. Believe the hype. <\/p>\n<p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Elvis mask, made for me by Jill Blake who was like &#8220;I just happened to have this Elvis 68 Comeback Special fabric lying around &#8230; do you want a mask?&#8221; Do you have to ask? There were so many great &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=164598\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,15,24,12,4,17,3,31,16],"tags":[33,2236,2095,1555,1101,600,231,695,1935,67,2680,306,276,2635,2599,2181,1898,2596,757,160,1642,460,2263,2489,2637,2377],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164598"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=164598"}],"version-history":[{"count":122,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":164840,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164598\/revisions\/164840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=164598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=164598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=164598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}