Club Letter No. 3

Find our weekly club playlist(s) at the end of the Club Letter xx

The only issue with Valentine’s Day is that we ever tried to define it or make it into something that means more than it should. Its “true” meaning is ambiguous at best, as it was celebrated in a variety of ways throughout its history (including some pretty gory rituals). What we do know is that there was a St. Valentine and he did lose his head. Now, it is associated primarily with romantic love, but love in general as well. Which most would agree, we could use some more of in the world. So, that’s what we wanted to focus on. Spreading the love.

In today’s letter, you’ll find our first-ever exclusive interview, some great book recs, facts about black history month, and not one, not two, but three playlists.

We are thrilled to welcome our first guest editor and dear friend, Madi. She will be a familiar voice around The Ozuree and when it comes to the world of books, we know we are putting our readers in capable hands. Recommendations, reviews, and whatever she feels called to share, we’re looking forward to it every bit of it.

“Hey, I’m Madilyn Smart! I’m a mother, lover and friend who has and affinity for reading books that let me escape reality for a while (typically at two in the morning). My reviews may be chaotic, but I can promise they come from the heart. Anywho, enough about me, allow me to give you some of my recommendations for our annual day of love.”

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – I will die on this hill.

2. The Entire Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas – These books build amazing platonic and romantic relationships.

3. Book Lovers by Emily Henry – A cheesy contemporary book.

4. Manacled by SenLinYu – This is a fan fiction and its dark but it’s the kind of love you would literally do anything for, and it is a phenomenal story.

5. The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah – I think I should preface this by saying it’s not a love story, but the romantic subplot intertwines with love, loss, survival, innocence, and the loss of it, with a remote wilderness as your backdrop. It’s beautiful.

6. The Ever King duology by L. J. Andrews – This is just a just spicy fantastical book with pirates and viking fae and a fun story line.

HEAD IN THE SKY

Today’s moon phase is Waxing Crescent 27% illuminated. Did you know that the moon is drifting away from us? Only by about 1.5 inches per year, but interestingly, it does affect our planet.

ASTROLOGY

We find love in all types of places in our life. On Valentine’s Day it seems most obvious to consider romantic love, but that is not always what we need or want. We can find love in our family and friends, in our pets, in nature, and in ourselves. we don’t always need a guide to find love but if you would like just a little extra help and insight you can check out your love horoscope for pointers.

OTHER THINGS TODAY

Valentine’s Day does tend to make people want to tear out their hearts to give them to another, but we would like to look at this in a slightly more literal sense because it is also National Organ Donor Day. The need for organ donors is much higher than the number of people who currently are registered. According to matherhospital.org roughly 21 people die every day while waiting for an organ donor match. The good news is that just one organ donor can save eight lives. Various surveys suggest that 90% of adults in the United States support organ donation but only 60% are registered donors. You can learn more about organ donation and how to sign up to be a donor at organdonor.gov.

FOR TVD/The Originals fans: On the topic of ripping hearts out: enjoy this compilation video of the Mikaelsons.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February is Black History Month, and there are a few things you might or might not know about it. One, it began in 1926 but did not become the month-long celebration we recognize today until 1976.

Freedom Schools, established during the Civil Rights Movement, highlighted Black history — working to eliminate oppression and uplift Black excellence. Like Black History Month, the schools honored and celebrated Black leaders. With the help of prominent civil rights activists, Black History Month celebrations grew in popularity.

Keep scrolling to our Hall of Greats section to see the woman that we are honoring this week who was a prominent figure during the Civil Rights Movement.

THINGS TO KNOW

“Ready to Serve”: Concerns about Biden’s age persist, though he and his advisors are quick to fire back, and Kamala Harris is ready to step to the presidential plate if it comes to that. One would assume this is the case (see: the purpose of the Vice Presidential role). Jokes aside, this is nothing to dismiss since 59 percent of voters in a recent poll think both Trump and Biden are too old to serve. You can take polls with a grain of salt, but in matters of our democracy, apathy is not an option. Together, we can stay updated, engaged, and informed as we barrel ahead toward the election.

“Strippers’ Bill of Rights”: A bill in Washington that would offer wide-reaching state-level protections for adult performers awaits a vote in the state’s house. Protections would include requiring clubs to put keypad locks on dressing rooms, requiring more extensive staff training on preventing sexual assault and harassment, as well as decreasing the amount of fees that businesses could charge dancers.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: As a “next-generation” media company, we are committed to contributing to a rise in global consciousness, which means we will not shy away from sharing information that aligns with the need to increase a human-centered awareness of what is going on in the world. This week, the Israeli government began air strikes in Rafah and is planning to expand its ground operations there. Yet, they have presented no plan to evacuate civilians from the city that is now estimated to be occupied by over half of Gaza’s population (as many as 1.5 million), and facing shortages in safe drinking water and food. Palestinians have been told to go south, and there is now virtually nowhere safe left in Gaza for them to take refuge. International pressure is mounting, urging for a ceasefire that could prevent more casualties, but so far there is no agreement.

Good News: The Super Bowl went green this year. Allegiant Stadium was 100% solar-panel powered. While we know solar panels are not an end-all-be-all solution, any steps toward a green energy future are positive ones.

SLOWING DOWN TO LEVEL UP

SOMETHING FUN: In the name of being a continual learner and working your brain, have you tried the NYT weekly history quiz? It’s quite humbling but also fun. Disclaimer, we take no responsibility if you end up addicted to Wordle and all the other games. But come on, there are way worse ways to spend time on your phone.

SOMETHING TO DO: Consider this your reminder to go on a walk. More studies are showing that this very simple activity might just be the best thing for our health in the long run. Not only is it good for your body, but it’s good for your mind. I love walking, and one of the reasons why is that it forces me to slow down and gives me time to think, listen to something enjoyable, or simply relax my mind and absorb the moment that I’m in.

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER: One way to implement the idea of slowing down is by picking up a hobby. Hobbies can teach us new skills, keep our minds and hands put to good use, and generally make us more interesting people. And the list is endless— there’s something for everyone. Here are some possible ideas.

SOMETHING TO SHOP: Slow shopping means being more intentional with the businesses we support. This week, I wanted to share a brand that I have purchased from, Kindred Black. In addition to being environmentally friendly, they are perfect for our Valentine Issue, because their products are absolutely beautiful and crafted for those with an eye for the romantic. Perfume and lip oils in hand-crafted glass bottles? Sign me up.

OUR PICKS THIS WEEK

ARTIST: Esther

MOVIE: Pretty Woman

BUSINESS: Maya’s Cookies

BEVERAGE: Damiana tea

RECIPE: Vanilla Bean Cake

Edible fake blood

@houseofcakescali

Blank Space 🔪🩸 #blankspacecake #taylorswift #pasteriacreativa #blankspace #cursopasteleria #heartcake #heartcaketutorial #cursosonline #sa... See more

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HALL OF GREATS

Learning about women who did not take up adequate (or any?) space in our history books.

BILLIE HOLIDAY: From her soul-stirring performances to her unwavering courage in the face of adversity, Billie Holiday's impact on music, culture, and the fight for civil rights remains incomparable. She rose to prominence in the golden age of jazz, which was also a time when she, among many, was forced to navigate a segregated society fraught with social injustice. Below the surface, she was also fighting personal battles with substance abuse. This played an unfortunately prominent role in her life and was cruelly weaponized against her in her most dire hours of need in targeted attacks by authorities like the F.B.I. for the political nature of her songs, specifically, the haunting and heartbreaking, Strange Fruit. Read the story or watch Bailey Sarian’s Dark History episode on Jazz, which is a great series and a fun way to learn stories that history forgot or simply didn’t tell in full. In the meantime, here is a BH listen that is as timeless as her beauty and, I’m convinced, has magic spun right into the music.

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xx C&C