Lately

Single man, who spends a lot of time at home, has not one but two television crushes.

It’s been a stressful season. There’s a lot I’ve been carrying and trying to figure out. Here are a few places I’ve been finding comfort and perhaps a bit of escape, as an introvert who appreciates good TV. Plus a few reasons I’m looking forward to October and a bonus story, though the bonus points have been deducted.

TV Shows: Halt and Catch Fire + Invasion

After absolutely loving Station Eleven, I was curious to see more of Mackenzie Davis. (Okay, after Station Eleven, I was ready to marry Mackenzie Davis.) I had heard of Halt and Catch Fire but I think the title threw me off. I kept picturing something like The Hunger Games. Turns out it’s a show about the rise of personal computers in the 80’s. Having been born on the 24th day of the 80’s, I tend to be a sucker for this decade. The show started off a little slow but now I’m hooked. Some of that is probably because I’m a founder, not that you have to be a founder to relate. The three main characters are all complex and unique, each one wildly brilliant while at the same time problematic. I’m definitely a sucker for complicated characters. Also the soundtrack is great. (80’s)

The second season of Invasion just started. I’m not usually big on sci-fi or aliens, and though this show involves those elements, I suppose it’s the human stories that have really drawn me in. Shioli Kutsuna is mesmerizing. Her beauty is the kind that’s hard to fathom. (This concludes the Jamie-is-prone-to-actress-crushes portion of the post.) Shioli brings so much grace and strength and sensitivity to the character of Mitsuki. Golshifteh Farahani and Shamier Anderson are both incredible as well, along with all the kids. Ultimately, I would say it’s a show about how people deal with fear and loss in the midst of survival. I’m excited to see where the new season goes.

Documentary: Mystify (Michael Hutchence)

My dear friend Chris Hess, who lives in LA and sings in the excellent band SWIMM, is back in Florida for a couple weeks. A few days ago we watched Mystify, which is the story of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence. The first time I saw the film was on a flight home from London, after a U.K. tour with Noah Gundersen. I honestly didn’t know anything about INXS or Michael Hutchence. The band’s hits were familiar but I couldn’t have told you who the songs belonged to. I remember being so moved seeing Mystify for the first time, of course for the story but also in the same way I described Shioli Kutsuna a moment ago. Michael Hutchence was mesmerizing. By contrast, where Shiolo plays a character with quiet strength, Michael Hutchence was rich in confidence and charisma, and yet also vulnerable. The footage of him performing is hard to look away from. He was beyond gifted. And then as the story unfolds and his struggles are revealed, we’re reminded of the ways that he was human, and just how hard this life can be.

October Sounds Good: U2, Switchfoot, The 1975

I’ve got three epic concerts on the horizon, all within a 10-day stretch. First up is U2 performing Achtung Baby at Sphere in Las Vegas, thanks to an invite from my friend Brian Allen, who is coming all the way from Scotland. It’s hard to even imagine how incredible the venue is going to be. From Vegas the plan is to make it back to Florida in time for Switchfoot’s Orlando show the very next night, part of their tour celebrating 20 years of The Beautiful Letdown. My love for Switchfoot is no secret and hopefully my gratitude for more than two decades of friendship with them is no secret either. On top of all of that, The Beautiful Letdown is one of my all-time favorite albums, so I can’t miss the chance to see them play it from start to finish. A week later we close out this wild ride in Miami. The 1975 are one of my favorite bands and it will be my first time seeing them live. I’m definitely excited.

Bonus Story: Have We Reached Peak Enneagram?

Points deducted because I shared the story on Instagram late last night, but it’s a fun one so I want to share it here too. Also, perhaps a soft moment from a hard day fits with how this post was introduced.

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When I left the courthouse yesterday, nearly 12 hours had passed. I was close to crying. I had gone through the entire jury selection process, for a case about as heavy as it gets. I spent the day answering questions from attorneys, alongside 40 other people. It was after 7pm when the final 14 jurors were announced. The person next to me was chosen. I was not. Someday I’ll share the whole long story of this day that was heartbreaking, eye-opening, and surreal. For now I just want to give a shout-out to the woman who, as part of a serious and wonderful answer to an attorney’s question, in front of the judge, the defendant, two police officers, three other attorneys, and 40 of her peers, said in real life in a real-life courtroom, “I’m a one on the Enneagram.”

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“Well lately, you look around, you’re wondering what you’re doing
Yeah lately, you look around, you’re wondering what you’re seeing”
— “Lately” by INXS

(Okay, I’m realizing now that the drums are better than the lyrics, but it’s where the title of this post comes from.)

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How’s this season for you? Where have you been finding comfort? Any television crushes?

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The first-ever REUNION celebrating one year of small-group conversations is coming up this Friday, September 8 at 7pm ET. If you’ve participated in any of the gatherings going back to last summer, you’re invited to the reunion! Tickets & Info.

EVEN NOW is an online event, open to everyone, happening during National Suicide Prevention Week. I’ll be speaking, doing my best to communicate a few fresh ideas, along with some things I’ve learned over the years. The hope is to emphasize the idea that life is worth living, even now. Join me Thursday, September 14 at 8pm ET. Tickets & Info.

For the first time since launching my online store, I’ve discounted some of the leftover merch. You can find posters and shirts up to 50% OFF.