Hello, class! Welcome to Happy Medium Club: Volume 28. Today we’re discussing:
Chokehold movies!!!
Caffeine as told by Claire!!! (←genuinely helpful advice)
A book review!!!
MOVIES THAT HAD A CHOKEHOLD ON ME
Dom Johnson
If I really like a movie, I’m going to watch it at least four times, and then I’m going to rewatch my favorite clips on YouTube, and then I’m going to forget about it for a few years, and then I’m going to repeat the cycle. Here’s a list of a few movies that have run through that cycle.
(Shout out to Scarlett Johansson for showing up on my list twice! She finally made it. I bet she’s proud.)
We Bought a Zoo
This movie is so good. I love this movie. I love this movie. The first time I watched it, I immediately rewatched it. There are several reasons this is my favorite movie of all time. Let’s name a few:
The soundtrack, written and performed by Jónsi, makes me weepy.
The scene where Matt Damon and his family decide to buy the zoo makes me weepy.
The home video montage brings tears to my eyes.
J.B. Smoove’s performance makes me laugh.
Like I said, I love this movie. In fact, I’m about to watch it again.
School of Rock
“School of Rock” has so many memorable moments, but nothing compares to the final performance at Battle of the Bands. It’s one of my favorite final acts of all time. When the whole band of primary schoolers screams “KICK SOME ASS” in unison… I get chills every time. You know what??? …I’m about to watch the performance again.
Avenger’s End Game
Yes, it’s embarrassing to like this movie so much but whatever. I still get overwhelmed when [spoilers redacted]. And yes, I clapped in the theater when [spoilers redacted]. If you ask me, the entire narrative arc—in this film and most of the films in the Infinity Saga—hinges on Natasha Romanoff. Natasha…spoiler warning…deserved better. Regardless, I like this movie.
I’m a sucker for satisfying fight sequences so I watch the final battle scene often. I’m about to watch it right now actually.
Morning Glory
I’m a Rachel McAdams purist. For some baffling reason, “Morning Glory” is kind of a deep cut from her filmography. This is my second favorite performance from her (right behind “Spotlight”). It’s such a solid, charming, funny movie. In it, Rachel plays a news producer who takes a job running a scrappy morning show with dismal ratings and a shoddy crew.
I’m fond of this movie in its entirety — but one scene sticks out: On Rachel’s first day, she attends a production meeting with her new staff. As soon as she introduces herself, they overwhelm her with a barrage of questions and demands. For a moment, it seems like she might buckle under the pressure. But after a beat, she answers each question, one by one, aptly and confidently — and then she fires one of the anchors for being creepy.
The whole sequence is so satisfying. I’m getting chills. I’m about to go watch that scene.
Remember the Titans
I don’t want to belabor the point so I’ll say this is the best sports film of all time. Also, I like it when they do that little chant before that play. I’m about to go watch that scene.
Honorable mentions
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Clueless, Legally Blonde, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Scream 4, Scream 5, Scream.
Speaking of Scream(s), I’ve got a hefty list of semi-wholesome scary movies. Let me know if I should drop it. 🫡
CAFFEINE AS TOLD BY CLAIRE
“Be kind to yourself.”
Claire Ferguson (AKA Flame Ferguson) shares some solid advice on how to drink caffeine with care.
GENERAL CAFFEINE TIPS
🩷The half-life of caffeine, or how long it takes for the body to eliminate at least half of the caffeine, is between 4-6 hours. It’s important to consider the timeline of your day and the buzz you actually need when consuming caffeine. Don’t overdo it or it might be hard to go to sleep and have quality sleep!
🩷The effects of caffeine can be felt within 15-45 minutes. It doesn’t work instantly! Don’t overload yourself with caffeine if you don’t feel the effects in 5 minutes.
🩷Caffeine comes from different sources, such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate. Find out which source of caffeine feels best for YOUR body! For me, coffee makes me prone to feeling anxious, whereas energy drinks and tea do not.
🩷 Caffeine can be dehydrating. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to produce more urine, and need to expel urine more frequently. Drink extra water when you drink caffeine!
FAVORITE CAFFEINATED BEVERAGE OF ALL TIME?
🩷 Red Bull (Brat green flavor Caruba Elderflower is my current pick). I love sugar-free Red Bull because it tastes basically the same as regular, and I usually love the Red Bull seasonal flavors. Fig Apple winter edition from 2 years ago was a favorite!
A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE ENERGY DRINKS?
Red Bull — they are delicious
Celcius — it packs a big punch! A 12oz can of Celcius is cheaper than a 12oz can of Red Bull, and Celcius contains more caffeine per can than Red Bull, at 200mg. I don’t enjoy the Celcius flavors as much, but non-sparkling mango green tea and sparkling green apple cherry are two of my favorites.
Gatorade Fast Twitch — these have 200mg caffeine in a 12oz bottle, plus electrolytes and Vitamin B-12. They upset my tummy a little bit but they are very effective.
Yerba Mate — this is a type of tea that is very highly caffeinated! It comes in cans with flavors too, but you can make it at home for super cheap.
A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE ORDERS?
Lattes, cold or hot! I’m a sucker for caramel, or anything seasonal like pumpkin spice. I love to try new flavors!
Sparkling lemonade with a shot of espresso! Don’t knock it til you try it. Lemon and espresso pair wonderfully together, and the sweetness in lemonade balances out the acid of this Bev.
Starbucks caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino!
Dirty chai latte — you get caffeine from the espresso AND the chai tea. Double whammy!
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
🩷 Don’t overdo it!!!!! Start with a low dose (such as one cup of coffee or one 8oz can of Red Bull) and wait a while before you ingest another caffeinated beverage. Listen to your body and notice whether the caffeine is making you feel energized or anxious, and use this information to inform your decision the next time you try caffeine again.
🩷 Don’t drink 5-Hour Energy shots that are available at gas stations. They taste gross and you deserve better.
🩷 Try to stop drinking caffeine 6-8 hours before your bedtime. 3-5pm is typically a good time boundary.
🩷 Try not to drink caffeine if you are also prescribed a stimulant, such as Adderall or Vyvanse. It can be dangerous to mix caffeine and other stimulants. Be kind to yourself!
🩷 Let’s talk about espresso martinis — ask your bartender if their espresso martini recipe contains caffeine. Typically bars will use a non-caffeinated coffee liqueur OR they will use real espresso, which contains about 65mg of caffeine. Make an informed decision before you order an espresso martini in the evening!
NOTEWORTHY STORIES FROM CAFFEINATED CLAIRE?
🩷 One time before a float trip, I drank two Gatorade Fast Twitches back-to-back, and it made me really anxious and upset my tummy. I was anxious and physically uncomfortable during the whole 6-hour float trip. Don’t repeat my mistake!
🩷 I don’t drink alcohol anymore, so sometimes I will use caffeine as a “social lubricant” if I am hanging out with friends at a bar, concert, or other setting where drinking alcohol is the norm. A little bit of caffeine can be a great way to put yourself in a more energetic and talkative frame of mind! Plus, it allows you to stand around, holding a can of liquid, just like your friends!
Anything else you’d like to add?
🩷 If there are people under 18 in your life, please encourage them to limit caffeine consumption while they are still growing and developing. Minors react more strongly to caffeine than adults. It is possible to experience tolerance to and withdrawal from caffeine, so the longer you can prolong your child trying caffeine, the better. Encourage them to wait until adulthood, when their bodies and brains are better set up for success in making healthy, independent choices.
IYANUE REEVES? MORE LIKE IYANU READS: THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO
Iyanu Reeves (It’s pronounced like “Keanu Reeves” without the “k.”)
Another day, another book review: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Okay, don’t hate me…I’m super late to reading this book. But ahead of the upcoming Netflix film adaptation, I wanted to share my take.
I’m not diving into a summary since you can easily find that elsewhere. Instead, I’m jumping straight to my rating: 3/5 stars on a good day.
This book may appeal to you if…you enjoy a good plot twist. The twist was strong enough to make me pause in silence for a few seconds before moving on. (But that’s at the end, babes!)
This book may not be for you if…you’re looking for well-written Black, brown, or biracial characters. Yeah, I said it! Taylor Jenkins Reid might need to take a break from writing POC characters.
I see why the book is well-loved and I’ll definitely be watching when it hits the screens. Overall, the story was… good enough. Evelyn is a complex character, and Jenkins Reid does a great job peeling back layers as Evelyn discusses each husband. However, the portrayal of most non-white characters was lacking.
For those who haven’t read the book, one of the main characters, Monique, is biracial. This detail doesn’t really advance the plot. From the first page to the last word, Reid insists on reminding us that Monique is biracial. I cringed every time Monique launched into an “I’m-biracial-I-don’t-fit-in” monologue.
Monique’s biracial identity is important, but it didn’t significantly impact the story, especially given how often it was emphasized. Reid’s attempt to liken being biracial to bisexuality didn’t quite hit the mark. If Monique were fully Black, the storyline would likely be the same. I didn’t have the same critique for the bisexual character, which is a plus. Overall, the constant reminder of Monique’s racial identity felt unnecessary and distracting.
Reid’s depiction of a separate character, who is fully Black, was also odd:
“I’m not sure you’d say she was conventionally attractive—her features are severe, her eyes very wide apart—but she is nevertheless someone you can’t help but look at and admire.”
Like, what?????
In Conclusion
Evelyn is a richly developed character, and with each chapter that explores her relationships with her husbands, Jenkins-Reid skillfully uncovers new facets of her personality. However, the representation of many non-white characters falls short of expectations.
Looking back at my notes app, when I first rated this book right after finishing, I gave it a 6.75 out of 10. I hope that helps!
HAPPY BITS
Please read this article written by someone who definitely had an identity crisis re: 50-Days of Summer. It’s okay, we hear you, man. (Thank you,
, for spotting this in the wild.”The Planterizer—a friend of HMC and Dom Johnson’s mother—has been cranking out some TikToks and Instagram Reels. Show her some love! Absorb some plant wisdom!
Nothing much, just really cool pictures of galaxies crashing into each other.
What’s more wholesome than an animal shelter? An empty animal shelter!
That’s it, for now, lovebugs!
Thank you for reading! We love you and we like you!!! Come back and see us, ya hear?!