The REAL 2024 wrapped
Issue #42 - a curated, niche list wrapping up the notable 2024 going-ons, media and events. Also - special offer within. 50% off my pay walled posts FOREVER.
Now that we’ve all been subjected to the mid taste of the masses and realised that every gal and gay guy around tucked greedily into the McDonalds of pop (Taylor Swift) this year, I think we need to look at what was truly made 2024 a year worth remembering.
P.S. ignore the spelling typo in the above graphic. The perils of A.I. I fear.
Best comfort show made years ago but discovered by me in 2024
I couldn’t explain how or why this show’s existence managed to pass me by during its 2017-2023 active years, I vaguely remember hearing of it but thinking the name sounded like yet another tiresome superhero-adjacent film. Oh how wrong I was.
It's the late 1950s and Miriam "Midge" Maisel has everything she has ever wanted -- the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York's Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent she didn't previously know she had -- stand-up comedy. This revelation changes her life forever as she begins a journey that takes her from her comfortable life on the Upper West Side through the cafes and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she makes her way through the city's comedy industry on a path that could ultimately lead her to a spot on the "Tonight Show" couch.
I discovered the show thanks to the Gilmore Girls subreddit (don’t judge me) and saw someone, much to my absolute bewilderment, post that they loved Gilmore Girls but preferred The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, which shares the same show writer. It was a shocking and bold claim that I felt needed urgent investigation. And shortly, thanks to a former colleague and friend with an Amazon Prime account, I was promptly watching episode one and became engrossed.
It’s sharp, witty, not afraid to be a little offensive, and is just superbly well written. So many jokes, comedic moments, hilarious characters and that’s not to mention the incredible costuming, sets and stylists who pull together this absolutely gorgeous rendition of 50s/60s New York. It’s not a show to be missed.
Best slutty album about hung men and hating cockblockers
Basically everyone who isn't a die-hard Kim Petras fan ran to lob hate at this cute little “back by niche demand!” project from announcement to release. Some people just can't accept a cheap little album (Slut Pop: Miami) full of sex related bangers for what it is - a bit of fun.
For a lot of people sex is just a given and they're turned on, horny and they fuck. But there are also those that, for whatever reason, abuse, anxiety, depression, body insecurities, mental health woes etc, it isn't always such a relaxing and fun experience. Kim even explained herself her reasons for putting out her two Slut Pop albums, saying they were to create a space where sex is fun, which wasn't her experience, especially as a trans woman.
She posted on twitter:
I feel like I never really got to explain properly why I made sl*tpop
my first encounters with sex were pretty sad experiences I wish I never had to have had and experiences that I had no say in … I was so angry for the whole beginning of my life that it never felt ok or enjoyable but actually felt like the opposite of that . I went to doctors to transition so early and most of them said things along the lines of me being a pervert or my identity being a perversion . I think being called a pervert so early and treated like one for that always stuck with me and is hard to shake to this day . I just wanted to create a little universe where sex was fun cause for me it never was and maybe never will be … I don't think people understand how hopeless it feels to need a sex change and know that from a young age … it's judged so brutally to this day … it's a recurring theme of my music to create characters who i wish i was and wish i could be … but it's the opposite of my actual experience with it all . Svetlana you will always be famous
Kinda legendary really.
Best drink to slurp on a hot or cold day
Like a real loser last year I tried to renounce the milky goodness of a proper iced latte in favour of iced Americanos but you know what… they just don't hit the same. I went running back to the cow's teet for my dairy fix, though they are mostly a weekend treat. As a humble office employee and public servant, the office is absolutely dire when it comes to coffee provided so to scuttle out for a decent iced latte costs around $7 NZD these days which just starts to feel too close to the price of lunch.
Maybe it's not for everyone, but I tend to run very warm and a gaw jus iced lattes brings sorely needed sweet relief. Although I did hear some weird ideas in Taiwan that I shouldn't drink iced drinks cause it will “freeze my fat” (they were coming for me!) and that it causes cancer, I will be sticking with my iced drinks until further notice. Also, I must acknowledge that iced lattes are kinda a gay stereotype. Whatever baguettes.
Best NZ getaway on a budget when you're languishing in Wellington: Whanganui
A month or so ago a friend and I set off to New Plymouth to visit friends who'd recently moved there and had a baby, plenty to catch up on! But to break up the drive we decided to spend a night in the usually criticised town (or city?) Whanganui. Surprisingly, we found it to be an absolutely delightful little town.
Delightful architecture, gorgeous bakeries, neat bars tucked down little ginnels, an incredible art gallery and truly friendly, warm people at every turn. I'd mostly given up and retired the idea that New Zealanders were a warm and friendly bunch. It was seeming more and more like the cold hand of capitalism and the sensationalist media had clawed away at us too much, but lo and behold this wee town still had a few clinger-ons to the days of greeting strangers with a smile and an ounce of enthusiasm. It was very heartening!
A delicious Thai meal, a wonderful little Japanese restaurant, a homely inn with a lovely breakfast included - all was simply clicking.
Best new NZ designed menswear clothing brand
My friend launched his self-designed premium men's streetwear brand, Tsan Apparel, earlier this year and selflessly I helped to “model” and take promo pics to get stock moving.
If you want to up your fashion game and purchase some select few pieces made of gorgeous Japanese fabrics and assembled by skilled seamstresses you'll be running over to the website to place your purchases. Sick of seeing ugly crocs and onesies out and about, let's try a cinched waisted little blazer instead.
Best concert of the year - Troye Sivan
Okay this is kind of a sham cause this is the only concert I went to this year but about a month ago I attended Troye Sivan's “Something To Give Each Other” Tour in Auckland and simply had the best time. It helped to have a jolly good gaggle of gays to have attended with, friends to dance with (shout out to an iconic reader of the newsletter) and enjoyed a number of drinks beforehand.
The last pop concert I went to was Lorde's “Solar Power” Tour which was simply a very different vibe. More earthy, spiritual and artsy. Troye, high off the sell out Sweat tour with Charli XCX, remains in full on party mode. The concert was a rave from start to finish and I got my life. It was like a big party moreso than simply standing and peering at the stage. That's not to say that the performance wasn't fantastic and high energy, with full on choreography dominating a lot of it. Troye even sheepishly seemed to apologise at the end of the slower ballad section saying something like “sorry that song is depressing as hell.”
One amusing thing about Troye is that few straight people seem to even know who he is. I fear the sports bars around weren't celebrating the gorgeous “Rush” and “Got Me Started” music videos with the same vigour the eligibility community seemed to muster. Their loss.
Well my little dears thank you for reading. Have a gorgeous New Year, stay safe and catch you in 2025 for further issues of this indie, underground newsletter that only the girlies who get it, get it.
Agree with Whanganui such a great little town !