My "Any Excuse to Wear a Hoodie" Christmas Sweatshirt 

My "Taking it Slow in the Snow" Sweater

2016 has pretty much been an unmitigated disaster. 

We've endured mass shootings, growing racial tension, attempted military coups, the death of musical legends, Brexit, and the potential of a Trump presidency. Not even an amazing, surprise Beyonce album could redeem 2016.

2016 has been pretty terrible personally as well. While it hasn't reached the levels of death and destruction seen on a global scale, for me 2016 is a year of unemployment and mild post-grad depression. In the face of these personal disappointments and the greater tragedies occurring almost daily throughout the world, there is only one place for a millennial to turn to for comfort. Netflix.      

Here are a list of comfort shows that can act as a brief reprieve from 2016.

"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked... I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet"

That indecision, the feeling of having both too many opportunities and too many limitations resonated with me a year into my post grad life. Like Esther I thrived off the structure and stability of the education system. Looking into the formless, undefined future is terrifying and paralyzing. Like Esther I had a hard time getting out of bed and a harder time motivating myself to the simplest tasks. Her fear and her indecision throughout the novel were my fears, my indecisions.

Though written 50 years ago, millennials can see ourselves in The Bell Jar. It's almost like what defines us as millennials are also some of the same traits that define us all as human.    

1. H&M  2. Black Milk Clothing  3. American Apparel  4. American Apparel  5. J.Crew (Keep in mind - I bought most of this on sale because of the whole unemployment thing)

1. Pants that resemble pajamas in every way except that these are somehow acceptable to wear in public 

I still remember the magical moment three years ago in H&M when I discovered the perfect pair of pants. Made of a lightweight fabric with a fairly inoffensive pattern, they billow around my legs comfortably. Light enough to throw on at the end of summer when I didn't feel like shaving my legs, neutral enough to layer with for colder fall weather, these pants are more versatile than expected. They've traveled with me to three continents. They've been the perfect alternative for days I've wanted to wear sweatpants but also needed to leave the house. I've since bought another similar pair.

A photo posted by Rebecca (@rebeccaaleida) on Jun 8, 2013 at 3:15pm PDT

The first time I wore the pants, you can clearly see how happy they make me

I don't know how much longer these pants will be socially acceptable (or if they even are) so take advantage while you can.

2. Leggings 

A photo posted by Rebecca (@rebeccaaleida) on Mar 4, 2015 at 4:09pm PST

Yes these are leggings with Dobby on them, please don't take fashion advice from me

3. Oversized knits

I recently read an article with fashion tips for short girls. At 5'3'' my wardrobe should at least somewhat resemble the short girl "do's" in the article, right? Wrong. Instead, I learned I was mostly choosing the unflattering "don't" option. These oversized sweaters are probably my biggest fashion faux pas. But I don't care and I'm recommending them anyway.

In the fall and winter, I live in these oversized knit sweaters. When they're long enough to cover my butt they might shorten the appearance of my legs but they're also perfect to wear with leggings. They are ridiculously comfortable but are still a step up, style wise, from a baggy sweatshirt.

Extra points for a turtleneck sweater that you can burrow into to protect from the wind or to protect from being recognized by the casual acquaintance you'd rather not make awkward small talk with.

Earbuds and a knit turtleneck are the perfect human repellent

4. Rompers/Jumpsuits 

A photo posted by Rebecca (@rebeccaaleida) on May 28, 2016 at 6:24pm PDT

5. A chambray button down

I recently watched the second season of You're the Worst in anticipation of the new season, which came out yesterday, August 31st.

The show's premise is not unlike Hulu's Difficult People or other FX(X?) shows Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League. You're the Worst features four terrible, self destructive friends as they get into trouble around Los Angeles. And, while hilarious and charming, the first season of the show did little to distinguish itself from it's sub-genre.

However, the second season of the show delves deeper into these four characters. Some episodes feel more like a drama, although the show rarely sacrifices humor entirely, even when addressing serious issues like depression and PTSD.

Through both seasons of the show however, it became clear that this show is perfect for trash babies everywhere. Here are five reasons why.

1. Day drinking... and night drinking

Every main character is deeply irresponsible in different ways. One thing they have in common is that they all avoid dealing with their problems by drinking, to hilarious results. Jimmy, a writer struggling with his second book, spends his day at the bar, claiming constant drinking is part of his writing process. When Jimmy and Gretchen realize they're becoming a conventional couple, the two go on a week long bender to prove to themselves that they're still irresponsible.

The best drinking moments though occur on "Sunday Funday," when the group goes to brunch, drinks (of course) and "[squeezes] every drop of life out of the weekend before Monday."

The fact that three of them are mostly unemployed doesn't stop them from hating Mondays

 

2. All the food

Enjoying food paid for by some else

3. Jimmy and Gretchen

At the core of the show is the growing relationship between Jimmy and Gretchen, two reluctant, commitment-phobes who find themselves falling for each other despite their best efforts. Although the show is focused on their relationship, it avoids common tropes of other relationship driven shows. This unflinchingly honest portrayal of relationships is funny, relatable and refreshing. Don't expect dramatic airport declarations, passionate kisses in the rain or other rom-com moments. Their romantic moments are small moments of acceptance and understanding, shown without fanfare. In the same vein, don't expect the contrived relationship conflicts or a tiring "will they/wont they" plot. The problems these two encounter within a relationship feel real and develop organically.

Nothing is less appealing to a neat freak

4. Just Gretchen in general 

Of the four characters, Gretchen is the one I relate to the most as a trash baby. Her disaster-zone of an apartment, her willingness to eat candy off the floor, her cynicism, and her self destructive tendencies are hilarious and sometimes true to life.

A true trash baby

In the second season the character is given more depth with a storyline that dominates the season. Gretchen's struggle with clinical depression is honest and heartbreaking. This storyline is one of the major reasons why the tone of the show became more serious in season two and the introduction of this new dimension was a definite improvement. You can't help but to feel for the character and root for her recovery.  

5. And the disaster they leave in their wake

This article contains spoilers for the Harry Potter series and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Additionally, I understand that as a play and therefore a new medium for the story, the stage production could provide a different prospective on the story. However, since most of us haven't had the opportunity to see the play, I'm examining the play as a written work.

Now that's all out of the way, on to the review.  


On July 31st we revisited Hogwarts and the world of Harry, Ron and Hermione with the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This time for (possibly) the last time. My sister and I read the book aloud to each other, reminiscing about the time I read Sorcerer's Stone aloud to her so many years ago. We finished in in two days, at about 3:30am because once the play hit its stride, we couldn't stop until it was done.

I've taken some time to think about the play, I've read the think pieces, and I decided to contribute one of my own.

But, before getting into my review, I feel like I need to establish my credibility as a Harry Potter fan. 

I was first introduced to the series when I was around 5. My mom and I listen to Sorcerer's Stone on tape (Jim Dale, of course). She read the next two books aloud to me, mispronouncing names like Hermione and Sirius in a way only a mom could. I remember when Goblet of Fire came out she heard it contained themes that were maybe more mature than 8 year old me could handle. But once she gave the all clear, my interest in the books took on a life of its own.

Should "all was well" have been enough?

Who are your favorite television characters? Buffy or Daenerys? Walter or Omar? Those badass characters are admittedly admirable but I prefer a different type of character. My favorite television characters are a little more relatable, representing those of us currently, well, failing at life. They're lazy, they're messy, they're sarcastic. And, above all and at all cost, these characters resist the responsibilities of adulthood.

1. Abbi and Ilana - Broad City 

Abbi and Ilana are best friends in their 20s, living in New York City. They're hilarious together, especially when they enable each others worst behaviors, which is often. They're both underachievers professionally, working (or avoiding work) at unfulfilling jobs. They're more interested in avoiding responsibility than in seriously pursuing careers.

Best Worst Moment: In Season 2, Episode 6 Ilana and Abbi fall into the internet matrix in a relatable sequence near the beginning of the episode. Starting with a dog wedding evite and Judge Judy's net worth, the two end up so absorbed in what they're looking up they forget they're in the room together. This moment represents a pretty much daily occurrence in the trash baby life.

2. Mindy - The Mindy Project

As a fairly successful OB GYN, Mindy has her professional life pretty much figured out. However, I included her on this list because her unabashed love of reality TV and celebrity gossip, her secret stashes of junk food (and her love of food in general) and, especially in the early seasons, her dating disasters are all marks of a trash baby.    

Best Worst Moment: When Mindy is feeling sad or stressed at work she lays down on the floor of her office, refuses to do work and demands food from her coworkers. One time she asks to be fed sour straws. Another time she asks to be brought McDonald's. This coping technique shows a level of emotional immaturity, a love of food and an inherent laziness that all trash babies can relate too.     

3. April (and Andy) - Parks and Recreation 

We meet April as a sarcastic, unmotivated intern at the Parks Department. She is directionless throughout most of the series, with no career or personal aspirations. She finds her perfect trash baby match in Andy, who, when we meet him, is using a broken leg to get out of ever leaving the couch.

Best Worst Moment: In Season 3, Episode 11 Ben, the couple's new roommate, watches April and Andy share a fork to eat turkey chili, using a frisbee as a plate. For breakfast. We learn that not only do April and Andy not wash their dishes but they don't actually own any. "We’re cute, right?” says Andy. Although they eventually buy dishes, their messy living situation is almost inspirational.  

4. Heather - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend 

In a show full of trash babies, Heather still manages to stands out. She is the archetypal millennial, living at her parents house, taking occasional college class and working occasional minimum wage job. She starts watching Empire ironically but ends up genuinely loving the show. She goes with a near stranger to his family Christmas party because she hears they'll be free food.
     
Best Worst Moment: Heather has a retail job at the mall. In Season 1, Episode 18 Heather runs into potential love interest Greg while on a break from work. When he invites her to hangout she quits her job on the spot to hangout with him, not because she necessarily likes Greg that much but because she's that lazy and unmotivated to go back to work.

5. Titus - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt 

Titus came to New York City to pursue his Broadway dreams but also to avoid coming out to his new wife. Although he comes to the city optimistic, after years of trying and failing to start his career he becomes less motivated to do well... anything. He rarely pays rent and constantly relies on the kindness of his friends.

Best Worst Moment: In Season 2, Episode 9, after Titus quits his job, he refuses to do anything productive. For instance, one night after drinking a box of amazingly terrible sounding key lime wine and "shame-spiraling" he gave all his Barbies perms and fills the bathtub with them. Unemployed Titus is all of us, give or take a couple Barbies.