In this unprecedented year and holiday weekend, any message is bound to be challenging—and bifurcated, because there are two audiences (at least): one for people who will be gathering with other people (the airports have seen one million people a day this week, shudder) and those who aren’t. Either way, be good to yourself.
For the gatherers, no scolding. Just mitigation reminders:
Outside is better than inside
If inside, open windows are better than closed windows (it’s going to get cool this weekend, so there’s no excuse)
Talking quietly is safer than loudly (no shouting across the room)
Plated meals are safer than buffet-style
For the lonely:
Funny movies and TV shows are better than holiday movies; suspense yarns also good (eclectic list follows*)
Don’t fall into the extreme anti-holiday mode of cleaning your home all day (though a well-spent hour or two may make you feel better)
Get out and exercise
FaceTime, call and text
Don’t forget to bathe
Haagen-Dazs Belgian Chocolate
*Nothing-too-Heavy (Mostly) Films and TV shows from “the time before”
Bridesmaids and old SNL clips of anything Kristin Wiig (“Secret Word”; Excited Sue; Judy Grimes; Target Lady, Penelope; “Don’t Make Me Dance”)
Both Borat movies
Fleabag
Mad Men
The Comeback
Schitt’s Creek
Messiah
The Little Drummer Girl (2018)
Born Yesterday (1950)
Roman Holiday (1953)
All About Eve (1950)
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
Freebie and the Bean (1974)
Semi-Tough (1977)
Annie Hall (1977)
Manhattan (1979)
The Truth (2002)
Unfaithful (2002)
Klute (1971)
The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
Shampoo (1975)
Best in Show (2000)
Tootsie (1982)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Cinema Verite (2011)
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
After Hours (1985)
The Favourite (2018)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Chinatown (1974)
Nashville (1975)
Who You Think I Am (2018)
Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)
The Long Goodbye (1973)
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Vertigo (1958)
The Conversation (1974)
