This is a quick one, I just wanted to make sure you were aware of a few things before I head out of town.

TV

I do not play video games and I do not enjoy horror/scary stuff but I am really impressed with “The Last of Us” on HBO. This series is based on a video game of the same name and takes place after a global pandemic has basically destroyed civilization. I do not watch it Sunday nights as it airs, I watch it during the day with all the lights on. In the spirit of full disclosure, this show can be intense, violent, creepy and gross, but it does a good job of not being those things every episode. Some episodes are truly beautiful, whether it be cinematically or in its sensitive storytelling (episode 3 WILL win awards, mark my words). (In fact, if I’m not selling you, go ahead and just watch episode 3, it is mostly a stand-alone episode.) The acting is also terrific, you may recognize both leads from their star turns in “Game of Thrones.” It is not an easy watch but it’s worth it.

If comedy is more your thing and you were/are a fan of “Scrubs,” “Cougar Town” and/or “Ted Lasso” – all Bill Lawrence shows – then you must watch “Shrinking” on Apple TV+. I LOVE IT!! Jason Segel stars as a widowed therapist, but he has a daughter and patients who need him, and life must go on. It may not sound funny, but it is (especially after the first episode). I love all of those Bill Lawrence shows, so I knew I was in, but the other co-creators are Segel and Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso”), a no-brainer! It also stars Harrison Ford, in his first stab at comedy!

You’re a reality TV fan? Let me say again that you really should be watching “American Idol” on ABC. If you enjoy music, there is no better show. The talent is beyond impressive (watch this season’s first episode), and the stories of these people’s lives move me to tears just about every time. Plus, the judges really care and actually help these kids. I cannot believe good this show is and I do not understand why everyone isn’t watching it.

Books

If you are looking for a beach read, may I recommend Ali Hazelwood’s books? She is a neuroscience professor who writes romance novels centering on women in STEM fields and academia. The books are smart, cute and fun to read. I recommend them all; The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain and Loathe to Love You.

I’m bringing some hefty books with me on spring break so I will get back to you with some more substantive reading.

In the meantime, I’ve noticed a disheartening occurrence thanks to some articles I’ve read recently regarding women’s bodies and our health. The New York Times published an article last year (that was one of its top 5 most read articles of that year) titled “Half the World Has a Clitoris. Why Don’t Doctors Study It?” Then, on Sunday, February the 12th, the podcast The Daily featured Susan Dominus reading her article from The New York Times Magazine titled “Women Have Been Mislead About Menopause.” (Both articles are linked within the titles but you need a NY Times subscription to access them. You can listen to The Daily podcast for free.) One statistic that shocked me was that 70-80% of women have hot flashes and no one knows why. Basically, there hasn’t been enough research on women’s body parts or our health issues, therefore these topics are just not taught in medical school. I’m guessing if men had night sweats/hot flashes, sudden weight gain, bouts of anger, continued bleeding, bone loss, memory lapses and, frankly, a clitoris, there would be some research happening. In my post from September 2021, I recommended an episode of “The Good Doctor” (season 4, episode 14) which also touches on how women and our symptoms are often ignored or discounted. Very upsetting all around.

On a lighter note, happy spring break to those traveling. Thanks for reading!