The Aretha Franklin files: newsletter week of 12/1 (Patreon)

So last week I got served this TikTok of Aretha Franklin holding some of my favorite cameras. And it sent me down the rabbit hole...

But quickly... I found nothing. Well, there was this New York Times podcast where film critic Wesley Morris points out that “she had this camcorder that she just took around with her and just used it on people."

Next, I found this TV spot where she is caught filming the crew. But, frustratingly, she has nothing to say in response!

But nowhere, I repeat NO WHERE, can I find any of the footage.

Which got me thinking about my love of camcorders and the endless tapes that I have, that no one will ever see. And it touches on this idea, this ethos I have about cameras- sometimes they are tools for income, sometimes they are a way to document a moment, but most of the time (for me) they are simply companions.

I have had the absolute pleasure of traveling the world with a camera in my hands, often alone. And a camera, more than anything else, serves as a way for me to say, "Hey, do you see that?" to someone, or rather something. It gives me confidence to walk down streets and really look. It gives me purpose when I have none. And I have to imagine that Aretha would agree.

I mean, that ^^ looks like some solid, wonderful companionship if you ask me.

📖 What I read:

Ralph Lauren Reveals Team USA Uniforms for 2026 Winter OlympicsI am a HUGE Olympics fan, and seeing what every country is wearing during the opening ceremonies is my MET Gala.

Anker’s new desktop docking station has a removable USB-C hub you can take with youModularity I can get behind.

Apple’s next-gen M6 MacBook Pro leak?Will this be the laptop that finally gets me to upgrade from the M1? I mean, probably not because I cannot fathom paying full price for anything, but that punch-hole camera design looks great!

📺 What I watched:

Camping in Snowstorm With No Tent, No Sleeping BagLuke came out of retirement to post a video of his own on the channel of a fellow outdoor YouTuber whose wife is battling cancer. A stand-up guy!

Chanel did a fashion show in an abandoned subway station in Lower ManhattanSo damn cool.

everything makes sense if you surf and hikeSomeday, I'm going to retire from tech and just make videos like this. "I don't consider myself a surfer. I consider myself somebody that surfs...I don't consider myself a mountaineer either. But I'm somebody that likes to go to the mountains."

You don't need to "LOCK IN" to achieve your dreams.

🎶 What I listened to:

Instagram Presents: Ask It Anyway | Fred again..I loved this look into Fred's process ~ holy cow, the amount of drafts/versions of a song 🤯

My 2025 Recap playlist has arrived, and it's pretty damn good (if I do say so myself... ahah). My top artist was SG Goodman <3, my top album was Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, and my most-played song was Drag Queen by George Houston. How about you, bud??

Ok, that is all I got for ya this week. Next week marks the start of my best-of-2025 content. I am kicking it off with my top phone pick :) Hope ya got a great weekend ahead! As always, I appreciate the hell outta ya, bud!-becca