Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
I’ve alluded to this in some recent Floor Times, but I’ve been feeling like the summer of 2023 is the year 2008 reborn. A handful of my favorite childhood artists are on tour (and not only that, but having eras tours) like Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, Beyoncé, and Paramore. I’ve been dressing in all the outfits I was self-conscious about for being too “loud” in 2008 (also just bought myself a new pair of fisherman sandals that I have not owned since the early aughts). I just started my “Avatar: The Last Airbender” rewatch. I’ve been buying more Shrimp Chips and Hello Panda snacks and having cheung fun for breakfast.
^An actual photo from when I was 13 (pre-braces removal—something that famously happened on the day I saw Paramore open for No Doubt at my first concert ever). I rummaged through the bowels of Facebook for this one. You’re welcome, Floor Timers.
I heard this great TikTok sound this week—something along the lines of, “your 30s are all about rediscovering what you loved as a 13-year-old and doing it again, but this time without the shame or judgment.” Though I’m not yet 30 I still very much feel this way about my twenty-ninth year. My parents would’ve never paid for me to attend a stadium concert at 13, so I’m paying for my own ticket now. I was too awkward and uncomfortable in my skin to wear funky outfits at 13, and now I wear caped jumpsuits on random Tuesdays. I was too self-conscious being one of the few Asian kids in my town to eat my favorite Chinese snacks at school—but now I embrace that culture and feel empowered to share it.
Maybe I’ll feel differently down the road, but this part of getting older is pretty freaking cool. My knees are worse than they were at 13 (and will likely continue to atrophy…fun!), and I can barely eat an animal style In-N-Out burger without getting acid reflux (no pain, no gain). But! The doing what makes you happy, wearing what you feel, knowing more about who you are, caring about your culture, and having the communication skills to tell others about it—all those bits are awesome and I hope you feel this way, too.
So come back stronger than a 90s trend! Buy the ticket to that group and show your mother it wasn’t just a phase. Rock the shoes that were out of your price range as a youth. This is the year 2008.2 and you should do whatever it takes to heal your inner child.
Something Extra
If you’re feeling similar bouts of nostalgia, might I suggest:
An “Avatar: The Last Airbender” rewatch. There is still no war in Ba Sing Se!!!
You get these. Or if you’re like me, have a sister who you share a shoe size with and sentimental1 parents who haven’t thrown away ANYTHING since 1996.
Playing this game and explaining to younger coworkers what an overhead projector is.
Grabbing JoBros tix. This tour is so chaotic and also an unreal walk down memory lane (I’m not exaggerating when I say they played nearly EVERY song in their discography. Like, there was an intermission).
Grabbing a 4-pack of these refreshing beveraginos because we GROWN now.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
Do our childhood stuffed animals have gender identities?
Something Pretty
I saw one of my favorite groups ever, Lucius, at Pier 17 this week. It was their hometown show and LOOK AT THIS VENUE.
Something To Laugh About
What if I told you I was a mastermind and all my gems this week relate to the theme…🤯
This is the most important one I have for you this week. If you don’t watch any of the others at least peek at this one becuase when I tell you I was on ALL fours when the stitch came in…I was humbled so quick.
So…who watched TSITP season 2 finale? This girl did. So did this girl.
I laugh so I don’t cry—this is what the book of our youth was doling out smh.
Speaking of how beautiful the passage of time is, here’s this.
Am I telling you that this adorable thing prompted my ATLA rewatch? Maybe…
This made me audibly cackle. With a cutesy nod back to last week’s martini Floor Time.
There has never been a more real representation of who I am as a person than this.
I think I need older friends who find this as fun as I do.
I knew exactly where this was going and I stayed for the whole thing. 10/10 no notes. Give him his Emmy nom.
*through tears* this.
This is so stupid hence why it’s at the very bottom. But I CRIED laughing. The comment, “Jehova’s Dripness” sent me 💀
Something for Clarice
My Dutch friend bought me coffee last week 🥲 The fact that friends I have known from all walks of my life, in addition to all the new friends I have yet to meet, subscribe to this chaotic newsletter I—. Thank you, friends.
Have a lovely weekend! Don’t let August slip away :)2
Til’ next time, fellow kids. Your friend,
Clarice
By the way…I’m reading this.
I picked up All My Mother’s Lovers at the Aesop queer library during pride month and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’m anticipating a darker “Letters to Juliet”-esque story but I also have a feeling it’ll surprise me. Stay tuned.
alt: hoarder?
Huge props to the people who have been able to count how many mother (read: Taylor Swift) references I made in this newsletter.