Just A Peck 0037 // Detling, Project Hail Mary, MST3K

Just A Peck

Welcome to the latest issue of Just A Peck. I’m glad you’re here!

JOURNAL

We got together with friends on Friday for Pho and a movie–Project Hail Mary, an adaptation of a book that we all love. It’s Jody’s go-to comfort audiobook. It was really good (more below). The thumbs down are because one of the characters in the movie is unable to do a proper “thumbs up”. :)

Project Hail Mary

On Sunday, I drove to the Twin Cities to meet up with college friends, all of us former residents of Detling House in Sellery Hall at UW-Madison, some of whom I haven’t seen in decades. We met at GameZenter and played board games (pictured is Cursed Court, a game I’ll definitely be adding to our collection), played foosball, and caught up. I’m lucky to have crossed paths with these brilliant, hilarious humans way back in 1992. They are as inspiring to me now as they were when I first met them as a teenager.

Detling crew
Cursed Court
Foosball

WHAT I WATCHED THIS WEEK

The Watermelon Woman
The Watermelon Woman (1996). I missed Cheryl Dunye's debut when it came out, and I'm glad to have finally seen it. It's part of the absolutely killer VHS Forever Collection on Criterion right now in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the format. I have very specific sore spots about low-budget 90s indie film conventions, due in large part to watching (and creating) so much amateurish work at the time. Putting aside my hangups, however, this is a fascinating, funny, faux documentary exploring representation and erasure, and with some very well-executed fake historical footage.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2025). I think it's funny that I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about Nirvanna the Band the Show. I wasn't even aware of its existence. Hilarious.
Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary (2026). A fun, big-budget, sci-fi blockbuster with amazing production design and exciting action sequences that is also intelligent, pro-science, pro-collaboration, pro-humanity, and pro-hope. What a rare treat. Go see it on the big screen, friends.

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

In Progress:

MEMORIES

Fifteen Years Ago:

Alex and Corey were in a play together at Spooner High School. For the life of me, I cannot remember what it was called.

Juliet play

Spencer and Kaylee were competing in their respective Destination Imagination teams.

Spencer DI
Kaylee DI

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT

Lauren Groff has a new collection of short stories out! The NYT review says that, unlike other short story practitioners whose works are praised for their polish, Groff’s stories are “rough beasts that slouch off in unexpected directions and spawn”. Love it.

Growler

My favorite Duluth Garage Punk band, Dirt Magnet, is playing at Luce this Saturday as part of the Ides of March Festival, in which bands only play covers of another band. In their set, Dirt Magnet is covering the 90s Portland Garage Punk band, Dead Moon.

Dirt Magnet does Dead Moon

MY FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Rather than feel impotent and useless, you must come to terms with the fact that as a human being you are infinitely powerful, and take responsibility for this tremendous power. Even our smallest actions have potential for great change, positively or negatively, and the way in which we all conduct ourselves within the world means something. You are anything but impotent, you are, in fact, exquisitely and frighteningly dynamic, as are we all, and with all respect you have an obligation to stand up and take responsibility for that potential. It is your most ordinary and urgent duty.”

-- Nick Cave

That’s it for this week. Stay safe, friends. Thanks for reading!

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