I was never big on subscribing to newsletters until a few years ago when a sober acquaintance suggested I start reading The Small Bow, written by AJ Daulerio. If that name rings a bell, it might be from his work at the late, great sports site Deadspin. Or - more infamously - from this.

Most of the dispatches from TSB center around recovery and sobriety. Though sometimes they veer into other topics, like dealing with ailing parents, or mortality and boundaries. This week's post centered around low self-esteem and body dysmorphia, two subjects I'm intimately familiar with.

I'm still not sure how to discuss my own issues with body dysmorphia, and I don't think I'm really comfortable or articulate enough to try and do so in this format. But if anyone ever wants to talk about it, drop me a line.

Every so often, someone on Reddit will reprint an article from either City Pages or Twin Cities Reader, two of the late, ̶g̶r̶e̶a̶t̶(̶i̶s̶h̶)̶ good(ish) alt-weeklies that were here in town. I like to scour the small ads that appear around these articles for something unique or of its time.

Behold: an ad/coupon for the great Pops Video Arcade from 1984! I had a friend in high school who opened my mind to things I had no idea existed, like a Downtown Minneapolis that wasn't Nicollet Mall. When I was in my early teens, we hopped on the 4 bus and got off on 5th & Hennepin.

This didn't look like the cramped, sterile arcades you found in suburban malls. It was roomy and - if memory holds correctly - bright. Two full floors of video games. But I wasn't really interested in the games per sé. It was the thrill of being so far from home (well, maybe 4 miles) without adult supervision.

I've been in this apartment for about a year and a half now. It's not the best place I've ever lived, but there are some quirks about it that are sort of endearing. Like this textured wallpaper. I like it most when daylight starts to hit and it almost jumps off the walls.

And no: there's not a bamboo theme to the rest of the apartment.

m u s i c b r e a k

Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman - Stumblin' In (1978)

I don't believe in the concept of a "guilty pleasure". But if I did, this song would be the biggest of them all. This is quintessential 70s music: slow, soft, and not the least bit bothered. Plus: I love everything Suzi Quatro.

Take care,

-AG