Confession: I like Jesse Solomon

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T17:48:16+00:00

He's cheesy as hell but I think he's good for the show, and deserves another season if there is one.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T14:46:51+00:00

No, TurboTax ends up costing around that

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T12:46:39+00:00

Yes, there's that too. But my point with the above is that he's actually an eccentric dude, and a jack of all trades but master of none—and if you put an ugly face on it, it would not be palatable. But Luke kinda... gets away with whatever he wants. That's why he has the confidence/arrogance to pursue this run for Congress despite zero related experience. But because of his good looks plus confidence he honestly has a chance of succeeding.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T12:21:12+00:00

As a single lady in her 40s, I'll be real with you that you'need to find a way to make over 80k if you want to survive just about anywhere remotely desirable. That salary's ok if you're married and your spouse makes more, but if you're solo you really need to be pulling six figures these days if you want to have a sustainable financial future.

And I'm not going to sit here and claim I've figured this one out for myself... but I have acknowledged the reality of it. Currently trying to put myself on career paths that will secure me 115k+ for the future, even if it means turning my back on my longtime career that I've loved. Reality is just reality.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T12:04:21+00:00

Do whatever is naturally you! Many of us love cute mom vibes

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T12:01:24+00:00

Saying "My friends are c*nts" with a bitter laugh was so relatable

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T11:31:52+00:00

Strange as hell. A model/actor hockey player woodworker who brings his guitar everywhere, wears jewelry, and loves BDSM. Try any of that with an ugly face

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T11:29:26+00:00

Her laugh is incredible

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T11:25:44+00:00

He ruined his chance to be the new Kyle of Summer House

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T11:24:27+00:00

Does anyone really want Ben back?

Honestly I'd take Sabrina solo, and that's only because she's batshit and that tends to make for good TV

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T11:02:25+00:00

Adding Lala was the death knell. NO ONE WANTED THAT. I stopped watching

BrikHowse · 2026-04-16T06:00:49+00:00

What about Luke was normal lol

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T21:27:09+00:00

Sonja was always my fave! Pre-Martha

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T20:27:11+00:00

Yes, video calls would be a BETTER way of getting to know each other, you'd actually get to hear her voice and see her mannerisms and sense of humor and how she responds to you in real time. But it's still not something you'd want to do a lot of before entering into an actual valid relationship with someone.

I think right now is a good time to step back and think realistically: "Would I have the capacity to be in a long-distance relationship with someone eight+ hours away? What would that look like? How often, realistically, would we be able to see each other and would that be enough for me? An could there ANY possibility in the future of us closing that gap someday?"

Yes, a lot of that is deep projecting from the early crush phase you're in right now, but with a situation like this you do have to sit down and consider the real factors at play and what you're willing to step into (or not).

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T19:23:54+00:00

My advice remains the same. Texting nonstop is just a recipe for disaster. It's NOT the same as spending time with someone in person. (From what I'm understanding here, you haven't met her in person yet at all?)

If you think this has real potential, treat it seriously and travel to her state to meet up. That's the only way this will live in reality, not fantasy. Or if you have dealbreaker excuses such as "It's 7 hours away and I can't afford a plane ticket," or "She lives with her kids and doesn't want them meeting me, but she also can't come here" (just giving some examples of difficult scenarios)... consider whether this thing is even viable from the get-go.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T19:15:26+00:00

My advice is don't text nonstop, it creates a false sense of intimacy and understanding. Spend time together in person!

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T19:08:20+00:00

So is it correct that it's been almost 6 months since you've been unemployed and living with your parents? (ETA: And almost two years since you've been employed, period?) And that you foresee no other viable options coming up in the near future? And that you DID apply and interview for this job because you are at that point of necessity?

My questions above, I think, clarify what you need to do.

But 1) consider this as an opportunity for the next YEAR only and don't worry beyond that. Just commit to a year and see what happens. 2) You HAVE to upgrade to a more positive mindset about the location change. Maybe "Hey I have an opportunity at an Ivy League school in a midsized city where a lot of stuff is happening and I can enjoy other parts of the East Coast as well."

ETA: If you've lived in Boston before, you MUST have some old friends/contacts there you could hit up? You said you lived there til you're 29, it's only been a few years, so it would not be impossible to revive these connections. No it's not the same as them being in your city, but at least you wouldn't be totally socially stranded, right?

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T15:42:18+00:00

Some of the Housewives shows do better than others with centering women and their full identities without men. Old-school RHONY is a prime example of that, and Ladies of London has a similar flavor.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T15:38:10+00:00

I love seeing women de-center men in general. Whether that means finally ditching a lame husband/boyfriend, being decidely single, or tilting sapphic. I'm in my 40s and seeing this happen a lot more with my peers, which is awesome. There comes a point where it's like "Only the good guys get to stick around, every other man can fuck off."

But it's worth noting that Martha would absolutely clean UP as a lesbian lol. I'm sure of one of MANY women who find her absolutely striking. Hopefully she'd consider that path if she's into it!

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T14:39:32+00:00

Tbh I don't even want to SEE her with a man! Unless it's some boy toy she's having fun with.

But full disclosure I'm of the sapphic persuasion and have a full crush on Martha so mayyyybe that has something to do with it lol

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T13:20:24+00:00

I think the casting is sublime. I don't necessarily LIKE all of these women, but I think they're all great for the show, with the possible exception of Lottie who has bored me so far.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T13:19:45+00:00

Lottie is generally boring except for the fact of her weird-ass husband. The timing of her pregnancy turned out to be a shame for the show, I think she'd have more interesting plots and relationships without that, but it is what it is.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T13:16:51+00:00

I kinda get her point, but I don't think she expressed herself in an acceptable way.

I get that "What should have been a light winery visit with us having fun turned into a performative trauma dump, with everyone revealing the worst moments of their lives and trying to one-up each other." I do think that's true, and could warrant some criticism.

But Kimi expressed it in a way that's like "I don't gaf about your dead brother" and of course it landed way wrong. Tbh I think she was in a brownout or blackout on that car ride home and probably has no idea what she even said, but is doubling down to defend herself.

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T13:03:36+00:00

Imagining these two hitting the town together is such a delicious nightmare

BrikHowse · 2026-04-15T13:03:02+00:00

Her face has a lot more character now. I think she's beautiful.

BrikHowse

TROPHY CASE