10 Offline Things I Did This Month
Ten year friendship anniversary, memoir panic (like omg, ppl are going to actually read it?)
Hi everyone! It’s been a minute since I checked in. Spring has been especially beautiful and bountiful for me this year. I hope it has been for you, too.
I love late spring and summer in the Northeast. I wait for it all year, and then suddenly, it arrives. Like it’s happening right now. As everything turns vibrant blue, green, and purple, I feel a flicker of dread start to creep in. Because I know it’s fleeting. This time is so fun. So fertile. So exciting. And in five or six months, it’ll all wind down again, and winter will be around the corner.
“Lee, that’s five or six months away!” I know. But I’m an Aquarius. We’re always thinking ahead. I can’t help it!
You might have noticed I shifted the Offline Things list from weekly to monthly, and it’s for a few reasons:
Weekly started to feel like too much time spent online writing about what I was doing offline (go figure), especially for something meant to be slow and reflective
Sundays have taken on a different rhythm lately and I wanted to protect that
Monthly feels more aligned with the spirit of the series: less pressure, more presence.
Especially with the upcoming book launch happening (August 12th), I didn’t want my work on here to suffer from my focus being split in too many directions: between the Tuesday/Thursday deep dives for paid subscribers, ongoing book edits (yes, we’re still editing), and this free list. So while the weekly email for paid people continues, this free one will now land in your inbox monthly. More to savor, less to scroll. Isn’t that what it’s all about, anyways?
BOOK UPDATES!!!!
With just one more “pass” (read-through) before my book goes to print and no more edits or embarrassing bits removed are allowed, I feel as though I’m on the edge of a diving board, with a big black hole below me, and no going back.
There have been many moments in the last few weeks where I’ve woken up and said to loved ones, “I do not want this book coming out. I want to cancel it. Is it too late?”
My life, my secrets, the shamy bits, it’s all about to be out in the world for anyone to read. Do I want to go into hiding? Yes. Will I? No. Do I want to leave New York though for something quieter and more private? Yes. Especially after this article came out. I think I’m approaching the part of my life where I feel too old for living in New York City. I won’t go far, but I’m ready to settle down and not be in the center of it all anymore. Ready for chapter two. I’ve spent thirteen years living in cities (seventeen if you count college). It’s getting to be time for a change! But not just yet….
Basically, the book is on my mind every day. I can relax in certain situations but I am anxious about it: how will it do? Will a lot of people read it? Will nobody read it? I see benefits to both, to be honest!
With a few months till my memoir is out, let’s just say I see why some people stick to nonfiction. (Slight sarcasm). Let’s dive into the meals, moments, and little things that made this month mine.
10 Offline Things I Did This Month
Made homemade smash burgers in the broiler on a baking tray. No grill, no pan, no flipping! I just took some grass fed burger meat, rolled it into a ball, “smashed it”, laid it out on a foil-rimmed baking tray then sprinkled it with salt and pepper. Broiled for a few minutes until darkened, then laid out a slice of cheddar across each patty and let it sit under the flame for another 1-2 mins until melted. Made special sauce (pickles/tomato/mayo/ketchup/relish), sliced up some onions and tomatoes, layered it on there with some lettuce, and bam. Dinner is *served*. (On a potato bun, of course).
Spoke to graduate journalism students at Columbia University about the nature of social media and the importance of understanding algorithmic bias. Such a fun opportunity and I love being around such hungry students!
Found a robin’s egg under a bramble in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Yes, it’s important to look up, but there are also so many wonderful things on the ground floor, too.
Celebrated ten years of friendship with my friend Becca. We have wedding anniversaries and birthdays but what about friendship celebrations? Becca and I became best friends when we both arrived in LA in 2015, meeting randomly at a popup in DTLA I’d made granola for. We’ve stayed close throughout the last decade, and I just want to take a moment of appreciation for that. It’s not easy to stay friends with someone through so much of life: kids, moving, a pandemic, job changes. But we did it. I love you, Becca!
ten years of friendship <3 Swam laps at my pool. I looooooove swimming and while I’m currently only doing it once a week, it’s refreshing *and humbling* to try a new exercise. I also finally got a swim cap and no one prepared me for how much faster I would go once my hair was all slicked back!! DAMN! Now I understand why swimmers shave their entire bodies!!!
Samson is iced latte colored. Starting a photo collection of lattes + Samson in the camera roll.
Tried to perfect the at-home blowout. Over the last eight months I’ve been trying to care more about my hair and spend more time styling it. I’m still (definitely) not on salon-level, but it’s nice to try. I’ve tried various TikTok styling tips and none of it works. I think I just need to buy the Dyson Airwrap.
Caught this Williamsburg hazy sunset. It was so stunning. I mean, look at it! We don’t (or I should say I) get to catch a lot of sunsets in NYC, so when I do see them it’s really special.
Threw a dinner party for 7. On the menu: charcuterie, braised chicken thighs in lemon & leeks, caesar salad with homemade dressing and croutons, crispy smashed potatoes, olive oil cake with crème fraîche and strawberries. Sorry I don’t have more pictures, but it was a blast. On the side, drinks included orange blossom ghia and Spindrift.
Spent lots of time with loved ones. That’s all I’ll say for now!!!!
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and if you live in the NYC area, GO OUTSIDE!! See you next month for the next roundup!
So great! I love the adjusted monthly format. Gives us time to anticipate and relish it 1x monthly also.
The sunset is absolutely stunning.
I think you have a boyfriend?? This post teased it like 3 times!