AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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Quarantine Life, Day 3,976,210. Well, truthfully, for me, it’s day 70. 70 DAYS! 10 WEEKS! My goodness. I have not touched another human being in that time. No hugs, high fives, handshakes…. I have not been to a movie theater nor eaten at a restaurant… It is so strange how this new normal has become our reality and, frankly, even more strange to me that so many people are still resistant to any precautions when the alternative to it is basically being deathly ill. But if any side effect of this Quarantine brought me comfort, it’s that deleting some misguided Facebook “friends” was suddenly easy.

Not a ton to share this day but onward….

Quarantine Life WHAT I READ

  • Twitter is a gift and sometimes you just wanna read silly stuff like this and laugh.
  • So here in California, universities will no longer require the SAT or ACT. I had exceptional grades and curriculars but I’ve never been great at standardized test so I’m sorta happy for all the current and future students.

BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES

EARLIER THIS WEEK

Quarantine Life

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • The many casts of Hairspray put this together and it is an absolute JOY.

  • President Obama gave a commencement speech and nailed it.

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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These Friday Favorites coming at you from the Quarantine Life, day 617. Okay, it’s like day 67 but doesn’t it feel like that? 67 days might as well be 617… I’ve started to crack here and there, kiddos. I’ve become a chef, a skilled dishwasher, a puzzle savant, an expert napper….  We all have our struggles right now and your struggle is no easier or harder than mine so remember we are all permitted a lot of latitude in this situation. It is okay not to be okay. Quarantine Life WHAT I READ

Quarantine Life

BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES EARLIER THIS WEEK THINGS TO DO – EVEN IN ISOLATION
  • Every week, We Like LA posts a great list of things to do around town, and that practice has not stopped in Quarantine. This week’s list is pretty stellar.
  • Fever Up has been hosting a lot of fun, creative online events. Check it out! This week I’m taking a tiki cocktail class and playing Drag Queen Bingo.
  • Tech Radar has a pretty extensive list of things to do – mostly online – as well.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
  • Stars from several incarnations of the musical Hairspray joined forces to sing “You Can’t Stop the Beat” together and it’s a pretty joyous video and I’ve watched it a whole bunch today.
  • Did you know? You need this mash up of Lizzo and The Aristocats?. Trust me.
  • I guess this is a little self-serving but I did a thing! I participated in a panel discussing how the entertainment biz is adapting to the Pandemic:

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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When I wrote my last Friday Favorites “Quarantine Life,” I did not think I would be drafting another one, many weeks later. My Quarantine Life began on Friday, March 13, so today marks seven weeks of this lifestyle and also means that as it would happen, my birthday, which is a week from today, will mark two months sheltering at home. How annoying. But, as my mom keeps telling me, “this too shall pass” and as the commercials on TV all tell us, “we’re alone together,” “we’ll get through this,” and so on. Just imagine what this would be like if we did not have all this wonderful technology at our fingertips…. So there’s that.

Quarantine Life

WHAT I READ

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Loving this UK “Times Like These” music video from numerous pop stars, including he song’s originators, The Foo Fighters:

  • If you are not watching John Krasinski’s “Some Good News,” what are you even doing with you Quaratine Life?
  • This Stephen Sondheim special was absolutely wonderful. The showing of this gorgeous “who’s who” of Broadway-and-then-some compilation was delayed by some frustrating technical difficulties at first, but once it got off the ground, we went into 30+ musical homages to the Maestro. Watch it if only to see Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald bequeath us “The Ladies Who Lunch” dressed in bathrobes whilst shipping cocktails.

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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The days of this “Quarantine Life” are blending right into one another for me and it’s not doing a whole lot for my morale. So I am doing this looong “Not on Friday” version of Friday Favorites because what day is it, anyway? Does it matter? Hopefully this list of links and videos occupies you a bit; keeps you entertained. I have added a special Quarantine Life section as well, entitled “Take Advantage of This Time” because for many, this is a lot of downtime and I think it’s important to be productive, lest we let our brains turn to mush. Disclosure: Alcohol is medicinal right now so my brain may be mush already. *shrug*

Quarantine Life

WHAT I READ

Quarantine Life OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I made a Quarantine themed playlist on Spotify. BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING BUT TIME RIGHT NOW, GUYS.
  • I’ve read a couple of Batman comics and am going to start working my way through this list, too, which my friend Ryan shared.
  • Well, my puzzle-addiction has resurfaced. There is a 1000-piecer in progress on my dining room table right now. But I really wanna try this puzzle….

Quarantine Life

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TIME

  • First of all, The Sacramento Bee has assembled a STELLAR list of things to virtually-do right now, including Ivy League courses you can participate in for free online.
  • Try a Netflix Party!!!
  • Have you ever used Lynda? Lynda is not a person, it is a website jam-packed with online courses covering a ton of topics, now owned by LInkedIn. Sign up for 30 days, free, and learn some new stuff!
  • Some fun, new groups have popped up on Facebook to make Quarantine Life more interesting. Check out this Karaoke group, for example, or this meal prep group.
  • I am a little nutty so I made myself an Excel spreadsheet of movies, documentaries and TV shows I want to catch up on or watch anew during this time. So far, I’ve enjoyed “Hunters” on Amazon, “Tiger King” (of course) and “Love is Blind” on Netflix, among many others. In making the list, though, I get to check something off when I’ve completed it, making my streaming feel more productive than lethargic! Are you watching anything you would recommend I add to the spreadsheet? And if it helps, /Film has created an ongoing list of new movies being released to streaming platforms.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT A silver lining, if you will, is all the creativity we are seeing from content creators right now. Some of my favorites:

  • Living room concerts are IT, y’all. I’ve gotten to see some of my favorite artists perform in the most intimate of settings! Consequence of Sound is keeping a list of these updated. (You will also get a pop-up for their daily digest, “Quarantine and Chill” to sign up for!)
  • John Krasinki’s “SGN” (Some Good News) broadcast.
  • International treasure, Sir Patrick Stewart, is reading Shakespeare DAILY for us. Go. Enjoy. Bask in its warmth and creativity.
  • If you are a Broadway lover, you MUST check out the “Stars in he House” series happening on the Actors Fund YouTube channel, twice daily.
  • James Corden is having a great time messing with my emotions, like when he had Andrea Boceli on to serenade us with “‘Con te partirò” or the cast (past and current) of Dear Evan Hansen on to sing this song that ALWAYS KILLS ME! (And if you love this song, Hugh Jackman also sang it on Twitter for us.)
  • The Backstreet Boys collaborated on “I Want it That Way” from their individual homes for the iHeart Radio special that aired Sunday night:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!

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Friday Favorites – we’re back! Here we are in a brand-spanking-new year. Hope everyone’s 2020 is off to a great start. 

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • I was very happy to read that Netflix will now let you disable its awful autoplaying feature. THANK YOU, NETFLIX! 
  • I’ve been doing a “home edit” so I’ve been reading a lot of articles about organizing small spaces. This one with kitchen tips was great.
  • The New York Times wrote a lovely profile of my next door neighboring town, Burbank. 
  • Did you see Knives Out? I thought it was so much fun. I was excited to read they are making a sequel. 

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!nives

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • My favorite bookstore opened a wine shop INSIDE THE STORE. I plan to move in. Please forward my mail. 
  • Trump failed at geography but Claire McCaskill won at Twitter:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!

  • I spoke on a panel hosted by the LA chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) called “How Social Media is Disrupting PR.” It was a lot of fun! I often book engagements like this because I learn so much from my co-panelists. This was certainly the case here.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Rebel Wilson just went ahead and stole the BAFTAs. Her intro here is just genius. And the audience reactions are priceless all around. Andrew Scott (“Fleabag”) straight up cries.

  • These were my favorite Super Bowl commercials:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: TIS THE SEASON

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Friday Favorites – we’re back! Oof. Guys, I’ve been MIA for a bit but still bookmark things to share so apologies in advance, but there is a healthy handful of internet gems to behold here. 

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • I can’t say I “read” this, but I WANT IT — Golden Girls wrapping paper!
  • This article about two Auschwitz lovers/survivors who reunited 72 years later gave me ALL THE FEELINGS.
  • If you need it – and I did – this TED Talk about living with grief is really wonderful. It also lead me to the speaker’s podcast, which I’ve been enjoying.
  • Podcasting is going mainstream, says FORBES. Says everyone who knows: DUH.

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I finished my holiday shopping. HOORAY! I also added like 92 things to my Amazon wishlist. Like this poncho — can I pull this off?
  • I started researching vacationing in Naples, Florida. Here’s why.
  • I added to The Hollywood Picture News’ weekly wrap-up of film trailers. Always enjoy doing it! Especially because I got to make fun of CATS which looks ABOMINABLE. Please enjoy.
  • This heart-warming, festive moment went viral:

     

View this post on Instagram

This is so goooooood ugh

A post shared by Memes (@kalesalad) on

 

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

FRIDAY FAVORITES: TIS THE SEASON

FRIDAY FAVORITES: TIS THE SEASON

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • I am massively obsessed with Harry Styles’ cover of Lizzo’s “Juice” for BBC1:

  • And here’s a real treat — a while back I witnessed James Corden and Eddie Redmayne shoot a bit for his late-night show in an iconic deli here in Los Angeles. Well, it finally aired and if you pay close attention, you can see me checking my phone…. (about 2:28 and fun Hollywood-esque fact, they shot this twice.)

Friday Favorites and a Funny Story

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Before we tackle the Friday Favorites, a funny story, if you’ll; indulge me…. On Wednesday morning, I was walking my dog to the doggy daycare that is a couple blocks away. It’s just a couple blocks, cross a street, and there we are; then I turn around and walk home alone. On this morning, on my way back, a loud man in a black car with tinted windows rolled down a window to shout, “HEY! HEY YOU!”

“Me?” I asked, pointing to myself.

“Yes, you. You walked by a few minutes ago. Didn’t you have A DOG???”

“Oh, shit!” I replied. “I wonder where he is!”

I kept walking. And I’d like to think I screwed up his whole day. Him wondering where the hell I left my dog. As if it’s any of his business. What a creeper. And so, onward….

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • The New York Times profile of Tom Hanks this week was absolutely lovely and you should read it because it will make everything better.
  • Esquire Magazine listed the best new restaurants of 2019 and it was cool to see quite a few LA spots on the list, including a sushi place in Sherman Oaks I now need to try.
  • Nicolas Cage is going to star in a movie AS NICOLAS CAGE. This is PEAK MAXIMUM CAGE. (Can you tell I am excited? I love his crazy.)
    • And BTW, do you guys remember the SNL “Get in the Cage” bit? I loved these…..

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Every week I contribute to the Hollywood Picture News’ movie trailer scrutiny and this week was especially enjoyable.
  • I found this recipe for Pumpkin Soup and am dying to make it. Doesn’t it look just gorgeous?!
  • Ella Dawson wrote a beautiful piece: “You Deserve a Partner who Texts You Back.” Read it here.
  • Guys. I am captivated by this sandwich demonstration:

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • Spotted this backpack on Instagram. What do we think? Cute or cheap-looking? I could go either way.
  • SNL put every Stefon moment ever on YouTube in five parts. This made me so happy! I LOVE STEFON. I made a playlist. Enjoy.

Friday Favorites: Stefon

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • A charming short film I am working on got a nice review here!
  • Variety profiled Danny Huston, my friend and former client, here and it’s a lovely piece.
  • The FTC released a packet for social media influencers — will they enforce it appropriately? Doubtful. Sigh.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Dolly Parton’s “Heartstrings” are coming to Netflix and I am here for all of it. She’s a treasure.

Friday Favorites: On the Surface of the Sun

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Hello, internet, it is me, the unreliable blogger, back with another random batch of “Friday Favorites.” Who’s excited? If you’re not excited, go away. And for my fellow Angelenos, stay cool. It is hotter than all get-out and WHERE IS MY FALL AND WINTER? I can’t take this. 

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • Every Fall I read this. And every year I laugh til it hurts reading it. Never fails. If you have never read “It’s Decorative Gourd Season….” from McSweeney’s, you should.
  • Mitt Romney has (had?) a secret Twitter account? Sure, sure, why not? 
  • I don’t mean to get all political, but on Hunter Biden. Donald Trump Jr. actually said, “When you’re the father and your son’s entire career is dependent on that, they own you.” Like, without a glimmer of irony or hypocrisy. Because this is where we live now. 

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

Friday Favorites: Hollywood Picture News

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I had to take a “sick day” this week. I put that in quotes because can a freelancer ever really take a sick day? But anyway, I binged some Netflix. I tackled documentary Tell Me Who I am, Docu-series “Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates” and Jenny Slate’s stand-up special. I highly recommend all three.
  • I stopped a woman in a public restroom because I liked her skirt. She had the perfect response: “Macy’s. Alfani. On sale.”
  • I got the new iPhone ProMax 11 and the camera is pretty amazing. I’m obsessed with these photos I took of my pup:

Friday Favorites: iPhone ProMax 11

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • A couple of really bad ass trailers broke this week. Like the one for Bloodshot:

  • But MOST IMPORTANTLY, the Rise of Skywalker trailer:

Friday Favorites: Happy…. Fall?

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Summer is almost gone. I mean, in California, is it ever? But I am ready for this nasty, hot-ass weather to be GONE. I am over it. I am from here and I have just never enjoyed our faux-seasonal calendar. I like a good FALL. A cold WINTER. So there. I’ve been hard at work all Summer long and find myself fantasizing about beaches and islands and hammocks these days. But the truth is, I’ve never been good at sitting still and I masochistically enjoy being an insane work-a-holic. So just ignore me when I bitch about how tired I am. (But don’t because I really love sympathy and attention.) 

Friday Favorites: Happy.... Fall?

WHAT I READ

  • My friend Cassandra published a children’s book and IT. IS. DELIGHTFUL. You should get it for your kid, niece, nephew, etc. 
  • Matthew McConaughey is going to start teaching at UT Austin. The students can now major in “L-I-V-I-N.” 
  • I read this really great piece about Huda Fahmy from Houston, Texas, the illustrator and author behind “Yes I’m Hot in This,” a hilarious and educational book about life as an American Muslim woman who wears a hijab.
  • Silver Lake is one of my favorite LA Neighborhoods and I love this restaurant list. 
  • Chris Evans stopped a Comic Con panel so he could PET A DOG. BECAUSE HE IS PERFECT. (I meant to post this earlier but am just not getting to it. Nevertheless, ENJOY.)

Friday Favorites: Happy.... Fall?

  OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • OMG – this recipe from SpoonForkBacon for Grilled Flatbreads Topped with Peach Prosciutto, and Burrata.
  • While I’m at it, this recipe from A Couple Cooks for a whipped feta dip that looks absolutely lick-able.
  • My smart friend, Jessica, explained her stance on the LA City restaurant surcharge that I think is bullshit and a needless nuisance on any check I see it on.
  • Becky got to sneak a peak at The Goldfinch, a movie I am very curious about. I never read the book but do know most of the story…. Should be an awards-season contender, I’d think. 

EARLIER THIS WEEK

Friday Favorites: Happy.... Fall?

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • I had never seen The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Now I have and I am forever changed.

Lazy Sunday: Issa Mood

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Lazy Sunday indeed. Let’s all be glad I at least showered and dressed myself today because it was a struggle. My pup had me up for a walk at 5:30 this morning, when it was still dark, just in time for the overnight security guard on the neighboring property to shoot me dirty looks as we rushed through. I felt no guilt about going back to sleep for a couple hours after that before we went to our weekly dog park playdate. I stopped at a friend’s house on the way home but the rest of this day was spent in pajamas on the sofa watching horrible bad action movies on cable.

I typically resent play-by-play blog posts so I apologize for the mediocrity of it all.

Lazy Sunday Musings: What's Up, Internet?

WHAT I READ

  • Lady Gaga is funding 162 classrooms in Dayton, El Paso and Gilroy — all cities that have had mass shootings in recent days. She constantly uses her celebrity for good. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
  • Would you try this fried pickle flavored potato chip? I would.
  • How did a Norwegian comedy creep onto Netflix’s “recommended” list? Easy enough when you understand who your audience is… AND have $$$. But I’m not judging them for that. I do think he’s wrong when he says “you can’t blame Netflix.” You absolutely can.
  • This guy tried Mark Cuban’s morning routine for a week — I am a huge Cuban fan and this was a fun read.

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I’m trying not to do a lot of online shopping these days but I do still enjoy a window shop…. I think this dress is cute. And I love this brand from Anthropologie.
  • I also stumbled upon this very cute subscription service — for plants. Totally something I could get into since I never manage to keep plants for very long but do love having them.
  • I’ve been very into funny tees lately. Very nearly bought this one. Still might.

Lazy Sunday: Issa Mood

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • How about 26 amazing chocolate desserts??? Yes, let me part with you on this video. A perfect way to salivate on a Lazy Sunday. And you’re welcome.

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