Steffany Ritchie
Bio
Hi, I mostly write memoir, essays and pop culture things. I am a long-time American expat in Scotland.
Stories (38/0)
My Childhood Diary: A Young Writer's First Obsession
I still remember my first diary. It was small yet chunky white pleather, with a colorful print of hearts and rollerskates (so 80s). The paper was lined and pleasingly slippery, with gold leaf edges. Most importantly, it was held together with a tiny lock and key.
By Steffany Ritchie10 months ago in Writers
Heathers (1988)
Cool girls play croquet in plaid skirts. A trenchcoat-wearing J.D. (Christian Slater) makes Winona blush with "Greetings and Salutations". So very. She drinks slushies; they flirt in a convenience store. They embrace murderous lust naked under the stars. Suburban teenagers trying to escape bland normality were blown away (like J.D!).
By Steffany Ritchie10 months ago in Critique
Elliot Smith: Either/Or
Tinny drums, a fuzzy needle drop, a guitar, and a sarcastic sheen open this musical masterpiece. We're having indie fun until Alameda when Elliott lifts the covers. He shows us the sad beautiful clown hiding behind Beatles- like melodies. His whispering, quivering vocals sound like a long-lost friend. Perfection.
By Steffany Ritchie10 months ago in Critique
Driving People With Disabilities in College Was Probably My Best Job
I had a few jobs in college. During my freshman and sophomore year, I worked in the café/grill in the student union. The first half of my junior year I worked as a cater waitress at a local hotel, which paid amazing but could be super stressful dealing with drunk jerks at weddings, so after my friend left I quit too.
By Steffany Ritchie11 months ago in Humans
All Lost Ships Are a Tragedy Worth More Care: On Titan and Greece and the Titanic
Over the past few days, I keep reading stories about people who either survived the tragedy of the Titan submersible dive (who had completed it previously) or were invited and declined. The latest is an (apparently) internet famous influencer known as Mr. Beast (nope, I had never heard of him either, but his story is somehow deemed newsworthy).
By Steffany Ritchie12 months ago in Humans
The Monstrosity of (Some) Acting Teachers in Barry and Unscripted is True to Life
In episode three of the current and final season of Barry (HBO), in amongst all of the other cumulative shocks as the series heads towards its home strait, we witness something that is every actor’s worst nightmare.
By Steffany Ritchieabout a year ago in Geeks
Shiv Roy Outplays the Boys
This article contains spoilers for season four of Succession "Let's bleed the Swede" smugly intones Kendall Roy at the start of episode five of this, the fourth and final season of Succession, with a cocksure attitude he has only acquired in the last few days since his dad died. Kendall is sad, but also riding high (it helps he has "the best grief guy" as per the previous episode!).
By Steffany Ritchieabout a year ago in Geeks
How to Speak British English
I thought I would share a few basics that many people might already know but also, you don’t really know unless you live here how slightly (ahem) pedantic dear old Britain can be with the “correct” use of the language they “invented” or whatever!
By Steffany Ritchieabout a year ago in Wander
- Top Story - April 2023
Can Seeking Enlightenment Soothe Grief?Top Story - April 2023
I’m officially a cliché. After several months of grieving my father, I have apparently entered the “pray” section of “Eat Pray Love.” (I admit I tried and failed to finish this book last summer! When Elizabeth Gilbert starts writing out the breathing practices of her meditation in extended detail I lost the will to go on!)
By Steffany Ritchieabout a year ago in Humans