I’ve really needed a laugh lately (who doesn’t), so watching “Travel Man” has been a much needed antidote. Speaking of Richard Ayoade, the internet informs me that he has not one, but two children’s books in the works. I may need a paper bag to breathe into, after reading that news.

Other sources of entertainment:

* The Vast of Night - The first few minutes feel disjointed, but hang in there. When this film takes off, it really takes off. Aliens, the Southwest, 1950’s nostalgia, low-budget: this one really ticked all the boxes for me. And with all of the news about UFOs as of late, you can consider this a primer for when our Alien Overlords arrive (joking… I think).

* The Lady Vanishes - The story of a missing Australian woman, Marion Barter, and her family’s search for answers. It’s a puzzling tale, with scores of twists and turns, criss-crossing the world. I hit refresh daily on my podcast app, always hoping for an update.

*The Last Place on Earth - I’m reading this one, based on my Dad’s recommendation. The story of the race for the South Pole, it’s utterly gripping and frequently maddening. What I’d originally anticipated to be merely a historical account is frequently a deep dive into the psyche and virtues of two polar explorers, Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott. It’s given me a lot of food for thought, in terms of how to approach adversity and struggles.