Dear Unpackers,
As we round out 2021 with our final newsletter of the year, we’re trading in our standard format for something more festive, aka an extended water cooler convo! If this newsletter translated to an in-real-life experience, we hope it’d feel like the longer, reflective chat at the work holiday party that can make showing up worthwhile.
Water Cooler Convo
Carrie: Emily! Given that we’re wrapping up the calendar year, I’d love to know your faves of the year. Let’s swap a list of top-10 hot takes?
Emily: I LOVE this idea.
Unpacking’s 2021 Guide // The Water Cooler to Rule all Water Coolers
Writing that resonated the most:
ER: The essay These Precious Days, by Ann Patchett (h/t YOU Carrie Porter). This was one of those things that I started reading casually but then had to drop everything, move to the couch and read the whole thing.
Film/television that taught you something new:
Music that felt most original:
ER: Bo Burnham’s Netflix Special was truly transcendent. Also, Valerie June opened for a concert I went to – and between her songwriting and full-body rainbow sequin outfit, I’d say peak fun and original.
Recipe that scored highest across taste, health AND ease variables:
CP: I’m now in the habit of making pumpkin muffins from Smitten Kitchen on Saturday mornings and it really is a delightful way to herald in the weekend vibes. I use the whole can of pumpkin too.
Something that helped you feel Zoom ready:
ER: I finally figured out how to blow-dry my hair in 2021. For me the equation is combed, damp hair + this stuff + one of those round hair brushes.
Best commitment you made:
CP: Good childcare, which is definitely on my gratitude list. For context, give a listen to this interview Terry Gross does with Claire Suddath on her piece about childcare in the U.S.
Gift you received:
ER: My sister knit and mailed me (over international waters!) a gigantic rainbow blanket. My dog Hazel is a fan.
Best habit you made:
CP: Planning my day the night before – it rarely goes according to plan, but it helps me prioritize. A daily planner can be a real game-changer (for the record, the aesthetic is not my fav, but I like that it is non-dated).
ER: Ha! That is REALLY not your aesthetic. I was picturing something more like this or this.
Podcast that made you want to do dishes for hours:
ER: Conan O’Brien needs a friend for pure comedy (h/t Greg) and Call Your Girlfriend for when you want to learn something AND laugh (h/t Becky).
The moment you recall feeling most free:
CP: Probably getting my covid vaccine. (Couldn’t go through this whole newsletter without at least one reference to the pandemic.) Raising a toast to the scientific community and the social-community components that made distribution possible!
Carrie: Okay, Emily, in conclusion, can I just say – it’s a pleasure working with you! Thanks for sharing this special newsletter project with me this year.
Emily: Carrie Porter! Unpacking is truly the highlight of my week. Can’t wait to see you (and YOU, reader!) at the water cooler in 2022.
If you have any additions to share to our above list, please send ‘em over and we might feature them in our next newsletter!
And with that, we wish you all a splendid New Year’s, and we’ll see you on the flip side.
Your pals,
Carrie and Emily