a gift from the Santa Anas (?), a spy novel, a feminist movie about moviemaking
Welcome to February, friends. I've been at a loss for what to say, but here's what I've got.
1. Our front gate got blown down by the Santa Anas (along with a chunk of fence), and we've decided we like it that way. R planted several husky cacti that were outgrowing their pots, and our little yard feels bigger suddenly. The entrance to the house feels almost—fancy.
2. The house. We still have a house. I'm so grateful. Also grateful to my Aunt Kay, who put up with us for ten days while we were not officially evacuated, but scared and wanting some distance from LA.
3. The paying gig I've had for the past year has evaporated, thanks to a stop-work order from the White House. I was expecting it, though not this soon.
4. Good things are happening with Where in the Hell. Next up, we're screening at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, recently named one of The 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. Bay Area ppl, please save the date!! Saturday, April 12, 2025, 3pm, at The Barn at Mission Farm, San Juan Bautista, CA.
5. If you're into all the spy shows, as I am, allow me to recommend a gripping spy novel with a complex female protagonist and a bonus layer of existentialism: Rachel Kushner's Creation Lake.
6. If you're a woman, or a filmmaker, or a woman filmmaker, I suspect you will relate to/cringe at/relish Zia Anger's My First Film. Most compelling new movie I've seen in a while.
7. If you like a taco al pastor (and who doesn't), I recommended the quintessential version from Leo's Taco Truck in the ‘sletter back in 2015, and can confirm it's still top notch. Now $2.50 each, which I consider a bargain. I mean, lunch for two for $15? Warning: cash only.
8. I hope you're doing ok, wherever you are.
xoxo,
Laramie
p.s. As always, here's your trusty taco map.
p.p.s. Please forward this to a woman who could use it.