Shits and Giggles
Lachlan Murdoch's Tattoo, Labubus, Harry Potter and Book Lights.
Hi
Due to some amazing recommenders here on Substack The Middle Part has received quite a few new subscribers lately. So hi, welcome and thank you. My name is Natasha, and alongside being a secondary school media teacher, I’ve been writing this very newsletter for the last few years. The Middle Part is all about the media; how we use it, and it uses us.
Today’s piece is a style you might see here sporadically, a list of musings in regard to random things I haven’t really fleshed out in my own mind, or don’t see any need to.
I hope you enjoying reading The Middle Part!
Labubu
I saw this short on YouTube from Victoria Magrath and thought I was seeing things and honestly thought this was some trend to do with labia’s and insane beauty standards. Upon a quick Google I’ve discovered they’re a collectible character by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. They’re often found in blind boxes (an interesting phenomena in consumption and collecting in their own right and something we should come back to) and thanks to this video by Cara Nicole, I learnt that they first gained popularity when Lisa from Black Pink had one on her bag. It seems like the Macaron style from The Monsters series is what people are after. The words coming out of my mouth seem crazy right now. A lot of the conversation around them seems to be that they’re a micro-trend which has peaked due to the fact people who would never have come across them now know what they are. I know that previously I would’ve been drawn to something like this, but thanks to my insane keyring obsession of last year, I’ve moved on. Although I always love to see things, I know a previous version of myself would’ve enjoyed because it feels like I’m still in touch with them.
I text my sister asking if she knows what a Labubu is, and like Victoria Magrath she used the phrase ‘I’m not falling for that propaganda’. According to her, they’re a statement to show that you’re on trend and fashionable. She then made the very apt point below… as you can see whilst she was being thoughtful, I was just trying to get the lay of the land with ugly/furry accoutrements.
Booklights
I don’t mean to brag, but my sleep has been shocking of late. This has led me to become paranoid about every single element to do with getting some rest and the latest target is the unassuming bedside table lamp. As a result, I have returned to my book light and because I fell asleep fairly easily last night, I can only assume I’m cured. I’m kidding but I actually do really enjoy using a booklight because there’s something quite cosy and like ‘I’m reading before bed’ about it.
Harry Potter/Casting/Fans
The identity crisis experiencing HBO Max has released the cast for the upcoming Harry Potter series. I used to be very into Harry Potter when I was younger, but even then, I was aware that some fans were louder and more overt which somehow made them seem like truer fans. We have spoken about what it means to be a ‘good fan’ before so I won’t go into it now, but I will say that my caring about Harry Potter has hit a limit and the only thing I care about are the books and even then I’ve moved on from my anger about Harry and Ginny so even then not really... This is all to say that any announcements about the new series wash over me like when you hear things about people from primary school. At once these people had a real role in my life but now, I can’t even remember that guy Bradley’s last name even though he once told me my feet were too big. Fan casting and reactions to casting fascinate me as ways that fans feel greater ownership of a text and as a result it can feel as if some franchises buckle to the pressure. I shouldn’t be in charge of who should be in what because then Pedro Pascal, Michael B Jordan and Paul Mescal would be in everything but maybe that’s better than Austin Butler. Also, JK Rowling can go away.
Lachlan Murdoch’s Tattoo
Lately I rewatched The Loudest Voice (about Fox News and the disgusting Roger Ailes) which then led to The Murdochs: Empire of Influence. During the latter I was reminded of Lachlan Murdoch’s Tattoo. I’m not sure what it means but there is something about the style – is it tribal? Is this culturally appropriate? - as well as the awkward arm placement that makes me want to know more. You’d imagine with his wealth he could get a new forearm made or something so he must still like it.
Labubus are ugly!
The labubus craze reminds me when I would make my grandma take us to 10 different newspaper stands to find Pokemon cards when I was a kid 😂. I initially thought they had a crushed face but now I have to say I'm a victim of capitalism and they are slowly growing on me. I'll never go stand 4 hours in a queue though.