The Thursday Dispatch - 22 January 2026
I wrote a few days ago about how I tend to lean into my upbringing on the Gulf Coast whenever winter decides to be winter in the Midwest. This is also a bit of a creature comfort for me whenever life is being life. Work has been stressful as of late, and so, southern shit has been my release and my escape this past week. I’m on vacation in my mind at least, but I really do need a beach for real.
This past week I’ve been heavy on 90s R&B & Hip-Hop, I’ve leaned into the teams I grew up with, and made food that reminds me of the coast, like the honey citrus chicken stir fry I made the other night and a couple of shrimp boils. Anything to escape for a while and feel a little happy. It’s important that we have these things. For me, it’s a taste of home or something that reminds me of a happier time.
I’m taking in a hockey game this weekend. I’ll be happy to watch the game, to be around friends, and to have an experience different from the day-to-day. Maybe that’s the change I need.
Weekly Photo
Nature is a healer. I had a calling back in 2015. I knew I needed to see my father. I didn’t know why, but the day I arrived down there I found him in the hospital with a bacterial infection. Instead of talking to him the way I hoped, I visited him in the hospital the entire week. It was stressful and exhausting.
I needed a break. So I took a drive and headed to the Gulf. I found this pier and listened to the waves roll in. And then this bird posed for me. Still one of my favorite photos.
This Past Week
Songs in the Chaos
This is my weekly list of songs that either caught my attention or came to mind this past week. I post these throughout the week on a site called Crucial Tracks, where they’re also added to a playlist on Apple Music. Feel free to follow me on either space.
