Welcome to Let’s Chirp.
This is a new format for the newsletter. Which I’m hoping will provide opportunities for some easily digestible writing, but also a space to have a lighthearted recap of what happened in my corner of the world this week. And maybe most importantly this will serve as a space to share some things I enjoyed or found inspiring. Think music, films, food, clothes, books, poetry, interior design inspiration, home goods, or any little thoughts I feel like sharing.
So. To start us off, let’s chirp about what happened in week 22 of 2024. This week, I’m most grateful for friends and family. I have leaned on them heavily this week, and knowing that you can always be yourself and have that unwavering support is something that brings me to tears often. There were phone calls and FaceTimes and chats by the pool which were all desperately needed. I can’t overstate the gift of being understood and loved where you are. So thank you.
This week, I finally took the dive on getting a subscription to The Criterion Channel. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s a streaming service that features a plethora of both classic and modern films, many of which are international and independent. As someone who loves all things old (music, films, home decor, etc) it’s an idea I’ve toyed with from time to time, but I’ve been quite happy with this decision already.
This week I had the pleasure of watching French filmmaker Jacques Tati’s Trafic (1971). Simply put, I can only describe this film as quietly pleasurable, but irresistibly and oddly amusing. The story follows the employees of Altra, a French automaker, who are tasked with getting their newest, hilariously outfitted, “camping car” from Paris to Amsterdam for an auto show. The group has a comically difficult journey in the process and throughout every mishap, Maria, the public relations officer (played by Maria Kimberly) does everything in her power to move them along, while ensuring that she continues to do so in a stylish fashion.
I didn’t learn until afterwards that the films stars Tati himself as Monsieur Hulot, the company’s nearly mute, but amiable automobile designer. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Tati had a career as a mime, so he was perfectly built to play this character and did so wonderfully.
The film itself had limited dialogue, but was beautifully shot and featured so many clever moments of humor. My favorite may have been the unexpected nose-picking scene in traffic, but the over-the-top crash scenes were just as amusing. The film also had an amazing soundtrack that largely consists of multiple renditions of the same 3 songs (my favorite track is undoubtedly Maria) that I’ve been listening to on repeat, and will add below.
Another film I watched this week was Along the Coast (1958) by Agnes Varda, who was an undeniably legendary filmmaker born in Brussels to French and Greek parents. This 27-minute film was funded by the French Tourism Office, and is one of the most interesting acts of tourism advertising that I could imagine. The cinematography is stunning to say the least and it was immediately clear that American filmmaker Wes Anderson got plenty of inspiration from Varda’s work. I especially loved the scenes that showed the contrast between the crowded beaches and the absence of human activity after the ending of summer.
If you need inspiration of any sort you can look up screenshots from this film and find incredible photos for hours.
Now let’s talk music.
Album of the week: Meet Triste Janero by Triste Janero
Released in 1969, this is the only album from the Dallas-based trio, Triste Janero. This mixture of sunshine pop and bossa nova hit me full force from the start and I think it’s going to be constantly revisited this summer. From the lively intro of “A Beginning Dream” to the covers of songs like Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By”, Antônio Carlos Jobim’s “How Insensitive”, and The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice” the trio plays a wonderfully lively mix of songs. Singer Barbara Baines’ voice carries you to a beach, or under a shaded tree in a field of wildflowers, or to anywhere where you’re in love. The “T.J. Blues” outro is an amazing exit point of nothing but pure energy that leaves you ready to come back for round two. The group sadly broke up in 1971.
What I’m (still) reading this week: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I’ll have more to say on this once I’ve finished it. Which, if I’m honest, will likely be after several more editions of Let’s Chirp.
What I ate this week: Peaches from the farmer’s market! (and some tomatoes from the garden)
There are fewer things I look forward to each summer more than peaches. They make their way into salads, onto toast, but most of them are eaten alone in a feral manner over the sink.
This absolute masterpiece of a poem by Anne Sexton.
That’s it for week 22. Please let me know what you think! I hope you have a great week. Love you all.
Talk soon,
-Zach