My Week of Comfort

RECS #7: “The Rachel Incident,” pasta alla vodka, and an “It’s Complicated” rewatch.

Dear friends, 

The sun has really made itself at home in New York over the past couple weeks. Most days are bright and beautiful, but some are already creeping into the sticky and thick territory that feels most familiar to late July or August. Unfortunately, I was in a pretty dark cave last week that I’m just now crawling out of, so while the sun shone steadily, I wasn’t necessarily in the mood to appreciate it. I’m feeling significantly better and calmer now, though, and I have a lot to recap. 

To preface, the last couple weeks have been enveloped by comfort. I’ve been leaning on the things that are reliably and consistently enjoyable, and as time and energy has allowed, I’ve sought out new things to add to my rolodex. Hopefully you’ll add some, too.  

READING: The list of books that I want to read is long and varied, but last weekend, after a particularly grueling day, I felt in desperate need of something smart, fun, and resonant. I stopped into the Upper West Side Barnes & Noble and perused their “new releases” tables until I stumbled upon “The Rachel Incident.” Caitlin had read this book earlier this year (or late last year?) and raved about it. Its fresh paper back was begging me to purchase it, so I did. And it’s been the most delightful part of my week. The novel follows Rachel and her roommate James as they come of age in Cork in the early aughts. Caroline O’Donoghue, the book’s author, allows her characters so much grace as they grapple with the uncertainty of love, money, and purpose in their early twenties. It has been a genuinely tender and compassionate read, and I’d recommend it to anyone.   

A piece from “The Rachel Incident” that made me cry.

EATING: Keeping on the theme of coziness, I made vodka sauce pasta for the first time in forever last week. I think it was one of the best batches I’ve ever made: buttery, glossy, acidic, with evenly coated noodles and a satisfying creaminess. I ate it late at night while watching “Girls.” On Sunday, after run club, I had an urgent craving for a chicken caesar wrap. After a humid workout, the salty, crunchy freshness of lettuce wrapped in a tortilla was much needed. Lenwich, from my anecdotal research, makes the most consistently tasty and well-dressed version of the meal, so I picked up their spicy version. I brought it home and, once again, ate it on the couch while watching “Girls.” (There was lots of that last week.) One surprising addition to my week of comforts was the prickly pear frozen margarita at Cowgirl in the West Village. It was perfectly pink and its thick iciness cooled me down as it coated my throat. The context in which it’s enjoyed feels key to its deliciousness. We sipped them while sitting on the sidewalk as Caitlin and Soph’s foster puppy waddled around us and every passerby fell easily under his spell. 

CONSUMING: Two weeks ago, Kerry and I went to the Liberty vs. Storm game at Barclays Center. I’ve said previously that this year’s women’s March Madness tournament inspired in me a more committed interest in the WNBA. I watched the first Liberty home game and then the first Sparks game on TV, and when I was offered tickets to actually go to a game, it felt like the perfect Monday night. The way Breanna Stewart towers above her peers and Sabrina Ionescu wiggles her way around the court make for excellent entertainment. It helps, too, that Ellie the Elephant might just be the best mascot in all of professional sports. On another note, I rewatched “It’s Complicated” the other night which, like all Nancy Meyers movies, is beautiful and aspirational. And there’s something oddly comforting about watching people older than I make a mess of their lives. It makes me feel like, no matter how functional and in control you are, some things will always be uncertain. The sooner I learn to accept that, the happier I will be (I hope). 

From left: fusilli alla vodka, golden hour photo from Tequila Mile, and Sabrina Ionescu shoots frees at the Liberty game.

SAVORING: After training for the Brooklyn Half in complete solitude (save for delightful cross-country text exchanges with Annika), I felt like it was time for me to make running a social sport. A few weeks ago, I joined a Sunday morning jog with Upper West Side Run Club. And since then, I’ve attended four group runs and one “Tequila Mile” which required a shot of Sauza after every lap around the track. Making friends as an adult remains a strange and daunting endeavor, but I’ve always felt strongly that adult extracurriculars—classes, sports leagues, book clubs, workshops—are valuable and worthwhile. The warm, interesting people I’ve met throughout the last few weeks have provided a resounding confirmation of those feelings. My neighborhood feels smaller, and I welcome the casual accountability that comes with committing to Sunday morning runs. 

That’s all for this week. I hope you take a page from my playbook and indulge in something unapologetically comfortable in the coming days. More soon! 

With love, 

Erin