Hello from Crazytown.
I don’t mean New York; I mean inside my head. I’m wondering if you feel the same way I do. My brain has been appropriated by the weird and terrible things happening in the world and this country in particular. Strange dreams – and I had strange dreams before Trump and the pandemic. I want to think about other things – like when I’m seeing my friends, and when my mom can come over for dinner, and what to wear to a party. I don’t like going to sleep after hearing some squeaky lie from Lindsey Graham. It’s not good. I feel stuck.
Well anyway, one way I’m dealing with my emotional stress is by writing letters to voters through votersfwd.org. Volunteers like me download an address list and letters to personalize – 5 at a time. You only have space to write why you care and will vote in this election. I find it’s very helpful to me. I hope it encourages my correspondents to vote. That is the point, after all.
I do believe that voting is our best way to feel empowered. I know the Constitution has its flaws and its framers were flawed, but boy oh boy it’s a great template for us. It makes me love my country.
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Lisa Birnbach and Senator Will Haskell
Just like Will Haskell. My guest this week is the youngest state senator in Connecticut. Representing the 26th district – Fairfield County – he is 23 and is finishing his first two-year term now. I wanted to talk to someone of his generation and find out how and why he wanted to be a public servant.
He’s a polished gen zer, I must say.
But first, my five things that make life better.
Shipt. This is my grocery store – in lieu of Instacart. I had never heard of it but my bffs Dani and Amy recommended it. The shoppers are really impressive. I used them in Los Angeles and I use them here. It costs the same as Instacart, but I find it uses the stores I like and again, the shoppers are great communicators.
2. I bought a new green plant for the kitchen. I realized I spend a lot of time over the sink and counter and darn it, I can look at a pretty green plant. It honestly gives me pleasure every time I look at it. It felt like a splurge, but it isn’t compared to cut flowers.
3. Maya Rudolph. She’s back on SNL playing Kamala Harris and it’s so great to see her again. She’s one of those people – Will Ferell and Kristin Wiig are also – who I just smile when I see them. They are comedians who are willing to commit to an impersonation. Yay.
4. Boom Again. This is a brand-new board game intended for members of the Baby Boomer generation. Created by Brian Hersch, inventor of Taboo (about which I have a story, but about which I am sworn to secrecy) this is a trivia game meant for people who remember the 50s, 60s, 70s. Its container looks like a cigar box with pictures of Janis Joplin, Lucy and Desi Arnaz, JFK, and John Belushi as a killer bee. The game pieces are a Kennedy campaign button, a 45” record adapter, and so on. We played it outdoors with our friends Heidi and Robert and spent two hours laughing and arguing. That’s a good afternoon.
5. Dr. Fauci. He’s been sidelined by the administration, yet they are using his words out of context to look like he’s endorsing Trump in political commercials. How Dare They? He is a treasure.
Senator Will Haskell’s 5 Things:
1. Socks that match. An infrequent surprise.
2. His campaign interns. Most of the people who work in our campaign aren’t old enough to vote, and that makes me optimistic about our future.
3. Homemade hard cider. Because you can only go to the liquor store so often during a pandemic.
4. His brand new ring light, so that not every Zoom looks like a hostage situation.
5. His car. Serving in the state senate involves a ton of driving, and my Subaru Forester is there for me through it all.
More About Senator Will Haskell:
Website: https://www.willhaskell.com/
Twitter: @WillHaskellCT
https://twitter.com/WillHaskellCT
Instagram: @WillHaskellforCT
https://www.instagram.com/willhaskellforct/
Facebook: @WillHaskellforCT
https://www.facebook.com/WillHaskellforCT
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC https://thefieldtv.com
My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.