Santa, Cheggy and columns
Happy Holidays, everybody! I’ve been surprised to realize Bruce Springsteen doesn’t have his own Christmas album. His live rendition of Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town is so good. It was recorded at C.W. Post College in Greenvale, New York on December 12, 1975.
In rare bit of positive news, the first in-ovo sexing machine, called a Cheggy, was installed at a United States hatchery. While the technology doesn’t fundamentally challenge the egg industry, it will save countless male chicks from being ground up alive.
This week, I sent out that Ro Khanna column to my national and California lists. If you’d like to submit your own writing, I’ve compiled email addresses for a ton of newspapers: https://slaughterfreeamerica.substack.com/p/how-to-write-letters-to-newspapers-6eb
Anyway, let’s do (Cell) Culture Talk. Here’s what I’ve been reading, watching and playing lately.
Book — The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper. I’ve read the whole series before, but my memory of the second title is a lot less clear than the first. I feel like the protagonist accepts the fact he’s a magical being engaged in world-defining struggle a little too quickly.
Book — Writing Black Beauty by Celia Brayfield. This is an engaging biography of Anna Sewell, author of the famous 1877 novel, which I need to read, given its historical importance. Animal-welfare campaigners in the 19th century played a key role in popularizing the text.
Movie — Juror #2. Director Clint Eastwood’s latest and perhaps final film is a riveting courtroom drama, written by Jonathan Abrams. Nicholas Hoult plays a man who suspects he may have accidentally killed the victim in a murder case on which he serves as a juror.
Movie — Marry Poppins Returns. This was a rewatch. Emily Blunt stars as the titular magical nanny in a Rob Marshall directed sequel to the 1964 classic. It’s a charming film capable of standing on its own. The highlight, though, might be Dick Van Dyke dancing at age 91.
Game — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I’ve made it to Ganon’s Castle, so I’m nearly finished. It’s been said a million times, including by me, but a title from Zelda’s perspective, set during the seven years when Link is sealed in the Sacred Realm, could be really interesting.
Sports — Knicks beat Timberwolves, 133-107. It was probably New York’s best performance of the season. Karl-Anthony Towns put up 32 points against his former team. During a stop in the action, some fans ran on the court. I’m not sure if they were protestors or what.
Sports — Knicks beat Pelicans, 104-93. An injured New Orleans outplayed New York in the first half. However, Jalen Brunson took over in the second, ultimately scoring 39 points. It was reminiscent of last season, when he had to carry the team more frequently.
Sports — Knicks beat Raptors, 139-125. Towns and OG Anunoby both notched 31 points against the latter’s previous squad. Anunoby’s big scoring nights are particularly impressive, given his defensive focus. Landry Shamet returned from an injury he suffered in the preseason.