Welcome. I’ve just subscribed to The Times’ space and astronomy calendar for 2022, so I’ll be reminded on April 21 that if I’m lucky, I might catch a glimpse of the Lyrids meteor shower at its peak in the night sky . At a time when most meetings and travel plans are penned in pencil, it’s a small but significant comfort to know that the solar system is moving forward unimpeded on its agenda.
If you’ve been eager to make plans but are hampered by the hesitation of pretty much everything right now, take a look at this list of some of the best streamable entertainment in January and add a few premiere dates to your calendar. (I’ve been jotting down the final season of “Search Party” for a while: all 10 episodes, today, HBO Max.) Or see what our critics have marked on their calendars for 2022 (Salamishah Tillet has “Downton Abbey: A New Era, ” in theaters March 18, on her).
You could sit down with Lit Hub’s most anticipated books of 2022, and note the release dates for the ones that intrigue you; there are 196 on the list and the vast majority will be here by the summer. (Jennifer Egan’s “The Candy House” comes out on April 5.) It’s not a beach vacation, I know, but it can take the jitters of planning.
Plan at least five minutes this weekend to fall in love with mezzo-sopranos. And you probably want to make oven-roasted crispy tofu. You might consider drinking mindfully. Or pick up a murder mystery. Meet a friend for a long walk. (Or a short one! No pressure!) Or you can decide not to make any plans at all and just see where the hours take you.
Your list of lists.
PS
Our age is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically. The disaster has happened, we are among the ruins, we are starting to build new small habitats, to have new small hopes. It is quite hard work: there is no smooth road to the future now: but we are going around, or clambering over the obstacles. We must live, no matter how many skies have fallen.
Tell us.
How are you passing the time this weekend? What are you reading, watching, doing? Write and tell us: [email protected] Be sure to include your full name and location so we can include your response in a future newsletter. We are home and away. We read every letter sent. As always, below you’ll find more of our best ideas for things to do this weekend. I’ll be back next week.
