Welcome to Newsletter #10.

I'm currently sat here having tested Covid-positive two days ago, trying to remember that I should be resting and grateful for not being completely bedridden, able to look after my partner whose going through the worst of it now. Having successfully avoided Covid for the last two and a half years, we suspect it was last week's Derren Brown outing that finally did it. I'm so grateful that it's happened now as opposed to pre-vaccine when the risks and variants were sadly far worse for so many others.

Writing this newsletter has made me realise how set in my routines I am. A week feels like a long time, with ample opportunity to try new things, but when I start thinking about what to write for the newsletter, I'm often faced with the reality of not having consumed (both film and food!) anything new, which in turns prompts me to do something about it. A side-benefit for sure.

Film

The Worst Person in the World is a 2021 Norwegian romance drama film directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve as medical student Julie, whose life we follow over a few years. There isn't some big story with a contrived character arc and a happy ending; this is an intimate study of a human existing in today's world, navigating her career, family dynamics, a complex love-life, the joys and anxieties, the ups and downs and everything in between.

On paper there's definitely potential for a snooze-fest. Why would I want to see another person going through the same struggles we all experience? I must admit that without such fantastic reviews and the host of awards won I may have given this a miss, but I'm so glad I didn't.

A line in a review by Sarah Ward sums up both the film (and life itself) perfectly for me:

So many of the subjects it touches on struck a chord: The windy, sometimes aimless career path, the worry of moving on from old relationships, the excitement of new ones, dealing with death, grief and so much more. Was this film written for me? Well, clearly not, but it suggests the writers have created something authentic that audiences will resonate with.

Director Trier describes his film as 'a coming-of-age film for grown ups who feel like they still haven't grown up'. Is that not all of us?

Rating: 9/10

Food

We have finally reached the end of the courgette growth glut, albeit with a hefty supply still to work through. Instead October (and probably most of November) brings us egg fest as our neighbour has gone on a holiday of '4 to 6 weeks' and we're looking after his eight chickens while he's away. It hasn't yet been a week and we're already dangerously close to running out of egg cartons. If you live near me or willing to travel and want some fresh eggs, do reach out!

Suffice to say my recipes have become more eggy and meals this week have included a couple of carbonaras, cooked breakfasts and an egg fried rice, none of which are breaking new grounds. Any suggestions for something more adventurous - again, reach out!

Last weekend, pre-Covid diagnosis (and hopefully pre-being infectious), I met up with friends and we went for a meal at the Red Lion pub in East Haddon. Confronted with the horrendous task of optimising my menu choice to avoid potential food envy, I went with the steak and ale shortcrust pie, switching the mustard mash for fries.

I finished off the remainder of the large fish and chips in the background of the picture below and with a full stomach, made the regrettable decision to order dessert. You have to if everyone else is.

The food was decent, the venue quaint, but the company is what made it a lovely day.

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If you have any feedback, please get in touch and I hope to see you again for next week’s newsletter.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

Adam