Word of Mouth 42-48

What we’re reading

Judith Davidoff, editor:

I have loved poring over the obscure and always interesting history of the state’s flagship university in listicle style in my latest issue of On Wisconsin, UW-Madison’s alumni magazine. I learned about two Nobel Prize winners who got away, 58 features in Antarctica named after UW-Madison faculty, staff and students and, in a photo gallery, 10 things environmentalist Aldo Leopold used in the field. My favorite, however, is “One great letter,” a 1965 gem from Groucho Marx to Albert Weiner, director of the Wisconsin Center for Theatre Research. “Is your name pronounced like a frankfurter or is it ‘Winer?’” Marx asks in his opening line.

He signs off with, “Yours until Wisconsin wins a football game against a major opponent.”

What we’re watching

Chris Lay, contributor:

Devastated by the news last week that Hulu was cancelling Difficult People, I've been re-binging on the 28 episodes which thankfully exist. Created by comedian Julie Klausner, the impeccably written show embraced the gnarled old New York. The first episode opens with a tourist asking Klausner “How can we get to 9/11?” to which the tossed off reply is “Practice.” Bold enough to spotlight a transgender character who believes in chem trails, call out Kevin Spacey before it was de rigueur and somehow convince Nathan Lane to submerge his hand in toilet water, Difficult People will be missed.

What we’re listening to

Sean Kennedy, digital editor:

The New York Times is spinning off its hit podcast — here comes The Daily for Kids. The first episode focuses on twin girls with diverging tastes, and is notable for how little it dumbs the topic down for a younger audience. The Times is also kicking off a monthly kids section in Sunday print editions, another part of a big bet on news literacy for kids. 

What we're eating

Lindsey Bushart, advertising account executive:

I'm pretty great at letting the bananas I intend to put in my smoothies get past their prime. When I did just that over the weekend, I remembered Hip Foodie Mom, a local food blogger, had recently posted a delicious-looking pumpkin banana bread recipe. I probably added more chocolate chips than called for, but this tasted like fall and did not disappoint. #basic

What we're playing

Tommy Washbush, staff artist:

I finally got around to playing the hyper-difficult, side-scrolling sensation Cuphead, and at a mere $20, it's well worth the price. With its hand-drawn 1930s cartoon-style animation and ragtime soundtrack, it might be the most impressively art directed video game ever made. The whimsical feel is a nice contrast to the brutal gameplay, and helps encourage you to hit "retry" once again after your hundredth death.

Perfect day

Allison Geyer, staff writer:

Every morning starts the same way: At 7 a.m. my cat gently punches me in the face, demanding breakfast. Now awake, I drag myself to hot yoga at The Studio. After the workout, I deserve brunch at Sardine. I order the crab, bacon and shrimp cakes, plus oysters to start and several mimosas (hold the OJ). Pleasantly buzzed, I wander home, stopping to pet Ziggy the Willy Street Cat. In the evening, I catch the free concert from the UW-Madison All-University String Orchestra (my former ensemble!) and then pop into the Crystal Corner for Barbacoa and Mama Digdown’s Brass Band.