20 Comments
User's avatar
Hannah Gorrie's avatar

As someone who unapologetically, insufferably, and earnestly pursues knowledge for knowledge's sake, the haters don't know what they're missing.

Nina's avatar

love this stream of consciousnessay.

but i have questions, clara, questions.

did you end up letting the french guy with the potato talk to you?

did you notice if he'd given potatoes to other women in the bar?

what was he wearing? (for some reason i visualize him in dressed like a sailor, in a pea coat, striped sweater, and watch cap.)

Clara's avatar

lolll i did briefly let him talk to me and as far as i saw i was the only potato recipient! no watch cap, but i *do* think he was wearing a pea coat, actually! x

Kirsten's avatar

The image of walking home from happy hour, raw potato in hand is sending me

Clara's avatar

i cannot say it wasn't a conversation starter, i really can't!

Kirsten's avatar

No doubt! More men should try this :)

Mark Pullman's avatar

I heard once (or dreamed) that eating Haagen Dazs pistachio ice cream is positively correlated to warding off dementia. I recall that I was thinner as a teenager than now. Proof.

Lauren K's avatar

Your ability to adapt re: smooth peanut butter is truly inspiring. The next time you get your hands on crunchy PB though you know that first hit is going to be a god tier moment. A little delayed gratification in your pocket for 2026.

Clara's avatar

i can't lie to you, lauren, i'm already dreaming about it

Angela Jones's avatar

I gotta tell you, I recently had pistachios on a pizza, of all things—it was also topped with Brussels sprouts and honey I think and a bunch of other stuff—and no lie, it’s firmly on my Top 5 Pizzas Ever Consumed list.

Clara's avatar

the brussels and honey (were there dates too? an elite combo if so!) may have been more responsible than the pistachios!! x

Angela Jones's avatar

No dates, actually… it was like a sweet, savory, and mildly spicy white pie, and the ‘stachios hard-carried the texture, which cannot be undersold. But I’d like to think it was the perfect ensemble cast, and without even one element, the whole show really would have gone tits up. Anyways, thanks for reminding me of a pizza I would write home about!

Jess Kirby's avatar

How weird would it be if I said that this propelled me to go buy some cereal, and that I just ate a bowl of cereal, for the first time in....years maybe?

Clara's avatar

Jess this made me unreasonably happy just so you know !!!

Allyssa Capri's avatar

Gonna need a visual aid on the cereal one day.....habing trouble envisioning PEANUT BUTTER on top of cereal???

Sara Szatmary Fantl's avatar

I too have an embarrassingly earnest thirst for knowledge and self-improvement, so girl, I get it.

vitajexjexjex's avatar

I must know more about this cereal situation! Do you stir the peanut butter into the milk before adding the cereal, or after? Is it Cheerios, or a puffed grain, or a flaked grain? So many questions!

ChrisCan's avatar

Favorite line: Most of us overthink and overvalue our pasts; humbly, and not to get too Stoic with it, but may I suggest that a more it is what it is approach would serve us better? Especially in our personal lives.

I really loved this whole section. I liked myself last year, I was badass and did a lot of enjoyable shit. I'd like to do a lot of that again this year. 💜

Judith Lawless's avatar

So glad to find you on Substack!

Jo's avatar

Haters gonna hate. You stay brilliant!