(a.k.a. Dear Andrew Garfield — I’m an Aquarius Moon, too)
First things first (I’m the reale — sorry, I can’t help it) : it occurred to me during one of my geeking out conversations with my friend and colleague Collins, that ‘Spider-Man : No Way Home‘ was released in 2021.
HOW THE FUCK IS THAT REAL?
I could swear that it was released two years ago max. I remember watching it in the cinema like it was yesterday. Like, what is life? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? 2021? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?
Speaking of No Way Home … OKAY, SO … DO NOT TALK TO ME. I have no words. This was beyond my budget this month, but how could I not???
I look so smol ~
This was probably the most nervous I was heading into a ComicCon photo session, because of how much this man’s work, and life, and beliefs, and humanity means to me.
I very nervously told him that I was grateful to be reminded how lucky I am to carry the grief that I do with the loss of my Mumma (to this he immediately says a very gentle “aww”). I was stumbling all over my words, all very jumbled, but he understood and made time to say, “I’m so sorry to hear, thank you for saying that, it means a lot.”
We took our photos, and before I left, I also thanked him for everything he stands for. He said “thank you”, and it felt surreal to have been able to say all that to his face, even if he immediately forgets about it (I mean, people constantly telling you that could be overwhelming and desensitising). But I hope he knew I meant it.
The thing is … this is the Andrew Garfield who would hold up paper / napkins that had names of charities he supports as soon as he (and Emma Stone) would spot paparazzi following them – their way of making use of the publicity by bringing awareness to causes bigger than themselves. He has this “it’s not about me” demeanor that you can’t think of as being standoffish or arrogant. It’s more of a “thank you, I appreciate that, but also …“
You could shower him with all the compliments in the world, or let him know how much something he’s done or said inspired you, but he’ll always project those back on to things that truly matter.
And this is how you know when a person values being a human being above everything else — his genius, talent, and artistry aside, what a rarity. We’re so blessed to exist in the same timeline he does.
(and also my favourite Spider-man. I wanted to tell him that, adding, “don’t tell the others”, but what hasn’t he done that isn’t spectacular? Because don’t get me started on “Never let me go”, or “Silence”, or “Under the Silver Lake”, or “Tick Tick… Boom” or “Under the Banner of Heaven” … amongst his phenomenal catalogue.)
More ComicCon photos, because of course
I should really prep for next year’s and go in a costume again. I miss doing that!
P.S. — If José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal ever makes his way to the MEFCC, I will not apologise for the person I will become after breathing the same air as him.
… I should get a Mando tattoo.
We also went to see LesMiz (this is my fourth run as I’ve seen them three times when they performed at the Dubai Opera many moons ago — my hyperfixation on things and the need to repeat-watch stuff is unparalled).
I am not gonna lie — the fact that they have now changed the format to be more ‘concert-y‘ was a bit disappointing. It felt like we were watching the 10th and 25th year anniversary specials. Not complaining entirely as it still made me cry as per usual, so you know the performances are still top tier — but it just felt weird not seeing them actually interact with each other. Like, WHY FIX WHAT AIN’T BROKEN?
My Ramia went on a trip to Japan and got me this. TO BE LOVED IS TO BE SEEN. I was having such a rough day before she handed it to me, so with the way it was initially positioned on my work desk, I couldn’t help but have a giggle. Watch the video and you’d know why. It’s too precious, I can’t.
One Saturday, after therapy, I take a step further with self-care by heading to Al Serkal. It felt good to walk around in my own pace. I love when Al Serkal is the right amount of ‘packed’, not trigerring my nervous system to hate all slow walkers — but who am I kidding.
Our office building hosts a monthly Breakfast Networking session, and this month’s highlight was on Sparkle Foundation. They do amazing work for communities in Malawi, and I highly encourage you to look into their programs and consider sponsoring a Child (their educational, healthcare needs).
More details on the work they do and how to sponsor / donate are on their website. CLICK HERE.
Other April tings (with photos) :
Other April tings (without photos) :
- Fukken BLACK MIRROR is back!!! Hohshi
- Speaking of which … don’t ask me about The Last of Us season 2 — as someone who played the first game and re-watched a walkthrough after season 1 (which happens to be a compilation of both games and was spoiled in terms of season 2 episode 2 events), I didn’t feel like watching season 2 yet — I’ll probably wait ’til episode 5 is out. Enough episodes to cushion the blow … by a golf club … HAHA NO I’M SORRY OK. I did rewatch most of Season 1 and wept a lot, and I realised that I’ve just made things emotionally worse for myself
- Please tell me you guys are watching The Studio. Me crushing on Seth Rogen from way back just proves that I sometimes have good taste in men
- I love John Mulaney with my whole heart, so Everybody’s Live in L.A. is a gift and one of the shows I look forward to every week
- My Rummikub addiction is back, it is now the game I play the most — no worries, my love and adoration for League of Legends will always be there. On top of that, been playing Scrabble, and all the free games from The NYT (including Wordle, of course). WHO … AM I???
- I had one of the worst TMJ-related pain I’ve had in a while this month … must get me a mouthguard or summit
- Looks like I’m heading to the Space Center at some point — IYKYK (also, there will be guaranteed tears the moment I step into that space, pun intended … THIS IS A BIG DEAL, OK? I DON’T GET CELESTIAL BODIES INKED ON ME FOR NOTHING)
- This is also the month I keep up with all the Stars Wars content I stopped watching. I cannot with Grogu operating IG-12, the constant ‘yes‘-ing, I was hollering to the ends of the galaxy — ALSO I LOVE ALL THE DROIDS. DROIDS ARE FRIENDS!
- Just dawned on me that I haven’t had Starbucks, KFC, McD’s (the most painful to boycott) since 2023. I’m not a perfect boycott-er, as there are some products and services I find difficult to boycott, but I do what I can.
My song of the month, undoubtedly :
This, too — you can tell I’ve been on a The Marías high :
My top 4 favourite (first-watch) films of April :
Speaking of which — if you fancy giving me a follow on Letterboxd : Abbie’s Letterboxd account.
A few things I reflected on this month :
1.) I made my way to hop on the ’empty train’ to head home, and people were naturally rushing (because apparently this is how civilised we all are, as human beings in the year 2025 of our Lord and Saviour) — I was taking my time because I have no intention to dysregulate my nervous system to get a seat — the chap behind me was in such a hurry that he ended up hitting me in the head as he scrambled his way through. He was so apologetic, and me, being in the state of wondering how the most evolved of my species act like this, threw in a fit — asking semi-out loud why do we all have to rush. Less than 5 minutes later, I turned to the guy and apologised. He too, apologised again. I knew that we were all coming from a long day at work, and the last thing I’d want is to be the reason someone would feel upset, especially when it wasn’t something they did on purpose. It was a small thing, but it gave me peace of mind knowing we were able to bestow the most basic sense of humanity towards each other.
All that to say — that is where I am, mentally speaking. When you’ve gotten a taste of that sweet, sweet taste of peace … you will do everything you can to keep it. Nothing is worth it’s disruption. It is the most priceless feeling.
Also … why can’t people all over the world be just like Japanese and British commuters? Is that so hard to adapt? Can we all wait for people to exit the train, and then take our time to enter? Is it … challenging? I don’t understand.
2.) The Universe won’t reward me with an easy path through healing just because I made a decision to “release”. It’s not a magic spell, it’s not a shortcut. I still need to do the work. Thank you Maya for making me realise this.
We lost one of the best (and I say this because I’m hoping we get more like him in our lifetime) Popes to ever Pope.
I had hoped that he would pull through, so hearing of his passing broke me. It broke me so much that I mourned for a week, and still am. I cry rewatching videos of him showing the purest forms of compassion and empathy.
He is such a loss. We’re talking about a Pope who valued Women, who saw them as equals, who is loving and accepting of members of the LGBTQIA community, who washed and kissed the feet of prison inmates, who chose a humbler life. He is not perfect, but he is such a pure soul. I will never forget when he was first introduced to us as the new Pope, and he asked everyone to pray for him — says a lot about his mindset and his beliefs. Great, I’m crying again.
I am not religious. I have not attended Sunday Mass in decades, but I have a strong, spiritual relationship with God. Religion to me, does more division than it unites — but Pope Francis is the embodiment of what God means, what God is — Inclusive, Loving, Forgiving. He gave me so much hope.
Pope Francis saw us. He saw all of us. And I can only pray that his legacy carries on.
He has a film directed by THE Wim Wenders on Netflix — please watch it.
P.S. — Happy 20th Anniverary, Revenge of the Sith
Anyway.
thatgirlabbie.com 
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