Intro / Preface / Extra Words
Welcome to Issue #10, folks. That feels a little bit like a milestone for someone like me. I've most likely started ten blogs so far in my life, each one lasting a few posts before I decided it wasn't going to blow up, or that simply adding a new category wouldn't work because you could build a completely new blog around content like this!
Anyway, I've added a new category this week, maybe in honor of it being the tenth issue. It's called Heavy Rotation, which is an overused phrase but my first streaming music service that I really loved, Rdio, had a station by the same name that I really enjoyed and I couldn't think of anything better. This category is for music recommendations. You'll quickly learn that I'm musically schizophrenic; I'll listen to almost anything and "shuffle" is always a dangerous option on my devices. I'll also be sharing exclusively Spotify links because that's where I listen to music, so if you don't have Spotify, sorry bout it.
I hope you're enjoying the newsletter so far, but honestly I don't care. I'm having fun blasting my opinions into space every week so I'm just going to keep doing that until someone stops me.
Enjoy.
Heavy Rotation
The Human Condition by Jon Bellion
I've been listening to this album since it came out last year from a recommendation by Seth G. I can't get enough of it honestly, and I rarely listen to an album on a weekly basis for this long. He's got a pop sound but he actually has something to say. I particularly love Maybe IDK and Morning in America, but the album is fairly cohesive as a whole (a lot to say for most pop-centric albums these days). Give it a whirl.
Current Things
Blockchain for the Rest of Us
This is a really good summary of blockchain, with several other resources linked. You will be sad you didn't figure out how to buy Bitcoin seven years ago. You will be a little confused and humored by the idea of a digital currency needing to be mined.
Timeless Things
Repeal and Replace
I'm putting this in the "timeless" category not because of the politics but because of the perspective. Dig it.
Thanks to Brian E. for sharing this on Facebook a few weeks ago.
Random Things
Packsmith: Packing Tips from Tortuga Backpacks
Another website sent to me by Brian F. Y'all need to step your game up.
For those that travel (or are constantly imagining their next adventure at least), this is a pretty cool blog. If you sign up for their newsletter, you get their packing list. I just read their "Best Travel Pants" article. Good stuff.
Business Time
Why Every Business Should Start with a Spreadsheet
You already know how to use spreadsheets (I hope). It's tempting to find a tool (a SaaS product) that will make everything easy, but if you start with a spreadsheet you'll be forced to iron out the kinks in your process first. Once you've got a process that works for your business, THEN it's time to search for software that improves the efficiency of your process.
Work / Productivity
If you’re reading this, you probably don’t do hard work
Dayyyuuum. Ouch. But OK, you're right. This is a typical Jason Fried post (which would normally mean I would be a little annoyed by it) but it caught me at the right moment and I like it. Go ahead, read it and feel a little ashamed. It's good for you.
Sports (Disc Golf)
Kevin Durant Had to Blow Up His Life to Get His Shot
In light of KD getting a ring, I thought I'd share this article from last fall. Hard to hate on KD (so don't).
I love technology (and science)
Earth Temperature Timeline
Not here to talk about whether or not climate change is real (it is). But I am here to share good content and goofy drawings, so here ya go.
But while we're on the topic I'll ask a bunch of questions that bounce around in my head when I hear the phrase "climate change": what if the earth is just getting warmer at an alarming rate because that's what the earth is doing right now? So what if it's just time for it to get real hot, and then it'll be time for it to get real cold? But if it is our fault, maybe stop buying crap. Because factories. All of them. Or maybe it's cows. Because cow farts. No more steak. Or breathing! Stop breathing and it'll be better maybe.
Further Reading
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
Recommended by Stephani AND Alice Waters, wut. Stephani sent me a link to this one, and it's safe to say I'll be purchasing a copy soon. From the Amazon page:
Master the use of just four elements—Salt, which enhances flavor; Fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; Acid, which balances flavor; and Heat, which ultimately determines the texture of food—and anything you cook will be delicious.
If you order a copy let me know and we can meet up for an in-depth discussion after I finish it.