In this (short-lived, we hope) series, the PHOENIX magazine editorial and art teams share what quarantine is like for them, from who they’re sheltering in place with to where they’re ordering takeout.
What have you been watching, reading and listening to during quarantine?
Craig Outhier – Editor-in-Chief
Blazing through season three of Ozark (definitely an improvement over last season), obsessively watching and re-watching Rick and Morty, getting acquainted with the jazz-glitch electronica of Floating Points, and watching old Lakers games on YouTube with my droogies via Zoom.
Leah LeMoine – Managing Editor
I’m a bookworm, but for the first month of quarantine I struggled to focus on my favorite hobby. I revived my reading mojo by revisiting a childhood favorite, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which held up so well and got me excited about books again. Since then, I’ve read a few awesome books and pored over some cookbooks – some new, some old favorites (see photo). A great book for Phoenicians to check out is Gravity & Spectacle, a collection of poems by my friend, Shawnte Orion, accompanied by beautiful photographs by his friend, Jia Oak Baker. They document so many places, experiences and sensations particular to our desert dweller experience. It was nice to visit places like The Rebel Lounge and the Arizona State Fair while stuck inside.
I’m re-watching Top Chef, starting with season one (I’m on seven now) and I binged Guy’s Grocery Games and Beat Bobby Flay, all on Hulu. And I’m living for Bon Appétit’s digital content and the food blogger Adam Roberts’ Instagram stories at his Amateur Gourmet account.
Madison “Maddie” Rutherford – Associate/Digital Editor
I have a subscription to Food & Wine magazine, which has been providing me with some much-needed escapism/inspiration while being cooped up inside. Spotify playlists have also been keeping me sane. I’ve been making quarantine soundtracks with my favorite tunes (everything from Amy Winehouse to Ariel Pink) to listen to while I’m cooking, cleaning or working.
Judy Harper – Calendar Editor
I’ve never been one to watch much TV unless there is football, baseball or basketball involved, but this never-ending virus void has me leaning on my TV like a crutch. I’m getting happily lost in movies featuring Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise and Adam Sandler, mixed with reruns of M.A.S.H. and Seinfeld. The witty humor in these comforting classics provides much needed laughter and a reprieve from the craziness of the outside world.
But my go-to favorite is Survivor, the granddaddy of reality shows. I’ve been a fan since the program launched in 2000 and have missed only a few episodes in its 40-season run. I’m amazed how the producers keep the show fresh with new twists each season. Exile Island? Fire tokens? Brilliant! And as we all learn to become survivors in this world of COVID-19, I’ve discovered that my Survivor buff makes for a fun face mask.
Mirelle Inglefield – Art Director
It’s certainly been a time of discovery on the media side of pop culture! I’ve managed to complete two good books; pick up a copy of Better Homes & Gardens’ food issue, with a fresh glimmer of confidence developed over the quarantine that, to some tempting degree of success, I’d actually be able to make the pretty desserts heralded on the cover; and have explored a handful of nostalgic movies like the 1980s White Nights, featuring bonus iconic Twyla Tharp dance sequences performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines. And me and my boyfriend, who over the quarantine has cleverly set up an outdoor movie theater in his backyard, have had a few remote movie dates together, haha. We’ve watched gritty classics like Dirty Harry and The Man with the Golden Arm, pictured.
Angelina Aragon – Associate Art Director
I have been binge–watching Love Island with my best friend, Arely. It’s our way of staying connected. We sometimes even FaceTime during an episode and watch it together. I love how this show is an easy watch. I am the type of the person who, when I watch something too emotional, it takes a toll on my soul. So, this show has a nice balance to it. There are sad moments, but there are happy, frustrating and funny moments as well. Arely and I love picking our favorite people from the show and pick a winner couple once it gets closer to the finale. Once we finish the season, we go straight to Google and look to see who is still together and who formed new relationships… or see who is still single.
