This is why I’m still here. Every single time I hear begged I break down sobbing. No song has ever touched me like this. 

Just like Katy Perry’s “Part of Me” saved my life back in 2009 after I got thrown out of college,  and “E.T.” covered by Audra in 2020 opened my eyes to perhaps the most underappreciated talent out there today… Olivia’s “begged” saved my life in 2026. Yeah, seriously, I’ve either been manipulated through my various limerences over the years or had to beg for love. Emily is the first person ever that I feel actually truly loves me and gives it unconditionally. And I am so blessed. Finally, I found an artist that truly is allowing me to heal the way I need to, desperately.

…

I couldn’t even pull a card for a bit. My energy is completely whack.

Finally, I got IV – The Emperor: “Hold fast to the things you know are righteous and good. Use your power wisely for the benefit of those in your care. If you are the one in need of support, make sure those you ask for help are worthy of your trust. In either case, set firm boundaries. Don’t give away your own power.”

Yup, dead on. As usual. It’s what I needed to hear to reinforce what I already have figured out over the past couple hours, bawling my eyes out to begged. I got TWO HOURS of sleep last night. I’m a fucking mess. But I’m still here.

I told Emily… I can’t write fiction anymore. Because the best and brightest of my dreams came true. The kind of heroines, the transcendent divas I always dreamt about actually exis,t and their stories are a lot more interesting than anyone or anything I could dream up now… so what’s even the point of sleeping, anyway?

(I know it’s not healthy. But, eventually my body will catch up and I’ll probably lose a couple days to complete exhaustion, so that’s why I’m going hard while I have the chance.)

…

Anyone who says Olivia Rodrigo can’t sing can politely show themselves out.

I’m not sorry for the Olivia spam. Seriously, I’m not.

SO. MANY. OLIVIAS! AHH!

…

Best performance I’ve ever seen of Dua Lipa to this point. Great song, too. [Foreshadowing something that comes later.]

…

One great thing about being completely heartbroken and jacked out of my mind from next to no sleep is I’m back to interspersing work with long ass jam sessions. And I revived my TGIF by F211 tradition, adding in Friday I’m In Love at Glastonbury 2025 by Robert Smith (duh) and… uh, some really cute girl named Oli.

Speaking of her…

Not only did she kick ass at this quiz, she immediately turned around and donated the money to planned parenthood… Seriously, there goes my hero, watch her as she goes. 

…

7/17 – GRACIE ABRAMS DAUGHTER FROM HELL!!! YAAS!

Petal by Ari Boo comes out 7/31. We are EATING WELL THIS JULY!

…

FINALLY, I watched this. Gah, too much beauty and brilliance up in here… Jon Batiste’s story about his wife that was suffering badly with leukemia at the time (she did survive) was inspiring. Some things Dua Lipa said may have inspired Liv’s 3rd album. Thanks, Dua! Equally important, the Barbie movie unstuck Billie during a rough creative stretch with “What Was I Made For?” and we got HIT ME HARD AND SOFT! And Cynthia telling Julia Michaels about how owning the power to help other people’s dreams come true and inspiring other young ladies as an act of service; freaking based.

It’s amazing that in a room full of icons (Cynthia Erivo, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Jon Batiste, and Julia Michaels), you can tell Olivia is just soaking it all in. But she deserves to be there just as much as they do, and the rest of them know it.

…

Also found out that Sabrina playing Eyes Wide Open a decade ago was actually next door to 11 Bank Street in NYC (Emily’s first childhood home). WOW! Also, I adore this performance.

…

“Uh Huh” by Julia Michaels is super good. As is “Happy.” Apparently she’s co-written like a billion songs (I knew a few of them, but she has like a billion songwriting credits.)

…

While I’ve always respected Fantano’s opinions on music, I’ve very rarely agreed with him. Well, I think we’re on the same page with this particular artist… He liked Sour and Guts quite a bit. And here we are. I AM NOT SORRY!

It just blows my mind that she’s this absolutely stunning woman, and at the same time extremely chill, grounded, and articulate AND also casually drops the Album of the Year.  Amazing interview BTW; the best of Anthony and Olivia on display here.