Hi, hello, itβs great to be back to this nebulous gig of newsletter writing so if you think my work is valuable and would like to support me, follow πshelfoffering on Instagram, share this post, and do consider becoming a paid subscriber. You becoming a paid subscriber means a lot not only because it helps me make a decent living as a self-employed worker but also because Iβm starting this all over again, having to build up my roster of paid subscriptions because I had to cancel all my previous ones (due to technical fucking difficulties). The climb uphill is herculean but I have been here before.
Going forward, all my newsletters will come out on every 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesday and the first one will always be free; paid subscribers will receive two exclusive ones: either a recipe, a crossword puzzle, the shelf care series of reading recommendations, and anything else that might just spark my joy!
Iβm also looking to expand my repertoire as an editor, so if you would like to get feedback/comments/help with pitching, writing, and editing, Iβm doing one-on-one consultations for a reasonable fee. Finally, our literary magazine chlorophyll is accepting submissions for issue 2 on the theme of βlanguageβ; details are on the website, please send us your work.
I rarely celebrate myself so this is self-indulgence. On my actual birthday and my catβs (I have a cat now and we share the same birthday, just many years apart). To honour myself and my fleeting thoughts, here is a random list of things I hate in true hater style. This is meant to be a joke, but also a little serious, but a joke. But serious! Maybe a joke. I wanted to pass on wisdom and insights, but to be honest I am all vibes most of the time. βπ½
In no particular order:
People who make matcha β drinking matcha, making a reel about obtaining said matcha, talking about how much theyβre a matcha girlie β their entire personality.
Trends (this is a bigger future newsletter).
Rice salads. No shade to people who like them, Iβm happy for you! But rice always with gravy/something runny/some curry or stir-fried.
Overnight oats.
Runny eggs, food porn shite.
Indians supporting Isnotreal β why?!
People talking to me in Hindi even after I pointedly reply in English. Please get the hint.
βYou alrightβ some 20 times a day.
People who take the minus offer on The Chase need help.
YT people who tan themselves brown but still receive and benefit from their YT privilege. If you are going to become brown you should be down to clown (with the lack of privileges).
Not being able to move towards change.
Phrases like βguilty pleasureβ, βdirty foodβ, βclean eatingβ, βelevated xxxx foodβ.
People who are allergic to learning anything/think they are above it.
Social media HAULS β GTFO of my face with that.
The very act of writing until it is finished and published and I have to start again⦠the dance is exhilarating.
Today is my birthday and this is a special extra newsletter with all my hate and love and so if you are even remotely entertained by my words/work, you can support me by becoming a paid subscriber! Here is a 20 percent discount for annual subscriptions to this newsletter. This offer is valid for a week, so only till 24 June. Consider this a birthday gift from and to me! π
Also the adjective "healthy" applied to food or anything else. Ditto exotic.
Particularly βelevatedβ peasant food. I hate that people think they need to refine and elevate something that they once thought was beneath them to eat. See Scouse on a stick being served at Manifest in Liverpool π