Word of Mouth: February 13

What we’re reading

Linda Falkenstein, features editor:

Much on the minds of Woody Allen fans these days is how to reconcile their love of the work with the strains of sexism throughout it, and the ongoing allegations of abuse from Allen's adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow. While A.O. Scott's piece in The New York Times has received quite a bit of attention, this somewhat-less-seen essay from David Klion in Jewish Currents offers more important perspective.

What we’re watching

Tommy Washbush, staff artist:

The fourth season of BBC hit comedy People Just Do Nothing recently arrived on Netflix, and I’ve already watched it twice. It’s an Office-style mockumentary centered on the misfit crew of Kurupt FM, a pirate radio station in West London that plays dated underground hip-hop for its tens of listeners. MC Grindah and DJ Beats lead an inept cast of losers as they hopelessly try to achieve stardom while struggling to keep their heads above water. 

What we’re listening to

Angela Puerta, neighborhood planner, city of Madison:

Latin music during these freezing temperatures can warm our heart and soul. Madison Carnaval brings samba, musica nativista, choro, cumbia and other Latin rhythms to our town this weekend. I see it as a great opportunity to join a more diverse crowd, listen to good music and meet new friends! The Handphibians will hit the drums in celebration of their 20th anniversary. 

Who we're following

Oscar Mireles, Madison Poet Laureate:

I’m keeping an eye on Madison Memorial and UW graduate Jesse Ayala, whose virtual reality film We’re Still Here was selected to premiere at the SXSW Film Festival next month. The film features Aiden Short Cloud, a Two Spirit artist and historian struggling to preserve his heritage. Two Spirit is a cultural term describing the fluidity of gender identity and sexuality with respect to traditional tribal roles across First Nations. Fewer than 10 Two Spirit elders remain, and Aiden’s story represents the struggle to learn, educate, and pass down their wisdom.

Though I would be following him anyway. I’m proud to say Jesse is my nephew.

What we're playing

Allison Geyer, staff writer:

So far, one of the most bizarre controversies of 2018 is the backlash over emotional support animals. We all had a good laugh a few weeks ago when United Airlines refused to allow an "emotional support peacock" on a flight from New Jersey to California.
But things took a turn toward the macabre last week when news broke that bad information from Spirit Airlines led a college student to flush her emotional support hamster, Pebbles, DOWN AN AIRPORT TOILET. (http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article198971069.html)

Opinions seem to be divided on this issue, but I am squarely on team Pebbles (RIP), because flying Spirit Airlines is miserable enough, even when they don't make you murder your beloved pet

Perfect day

Sean Kennedy, digital editor:

There’s a good bit of snow in the forecast, so I think we’ll take my powder-loving dog to the dog park. That will only be a few minutes, because she’s more of a snowplow than anything else, so she wears out pretty quickly. Then maybe a little ice fishing? I’m starting to get into ice fishing with my brothers-in-law. We have no idea how it works, but we’re not about to let that stop us from a fun day on the lake.