Food
America Has Lost Its Taste for Iceberg Lettuce
Cause it's tasteless right Calvin?? -B
No, I think it's because Americans have been tricked into thinking that romaine is somehow superior, when in reality it's less crunchy and more slippery. I can't remember in which book Bourdain wrote about this trend, but he was annoyed and perplexed by it. -C
Business Time
The terror of choosing the wrong email sign off
I go with the Thanks, Brian as my default. But you better believe I think about and adjust it on almost every email of note. -B
The tricky part of "Thanks" is that it could, in a certain context, imply that the thing you asked for is going to be done. In other words, I used a question mark but in reality I'm not asking, I'm ordering. I think the one I find most annoying now is "BR"; honestly, what the heck is that supposed to communicate to me? -C
I see you've perfectly interpreted "Thanks" my young padawan. BR, B
TravelMASity
America’s Cheapest Cities Where Everyone Wants to Live Right Now
I'm not 100% sure this author understands the meaning of the word "cheapest" but I guess if you're coming from San Francisco everywhere is cheap. Anyway, where is your city on this list? -B
You Fancy, Huh
Leaping Fox Ranch Fire Starters
My uncle is manufacturing these extremely high performing boutique fire starters that you have got to have heading into this fall (did I mention he's my uncle...) -B
I totally should have made this a sponsored link so it looked like people pay us to advertise in this newsletter. Maybe next time. -C
Prince Charles' Tweed Overcoat
Photos of the prince in the same coat 50 years apart. Now that's quality. And the style still slaps.... -B
I was talking to my sister-in-law about a similar topic recently. I don't like shopping, so I will pay a decent amount of money if the clothing lasts, and isn't a trend that's going to vanish in a couple years. Love the "death to fast fashion" bit. -C
The Grassroots Motorsports Challenge
You get a very tiny budget to build a race car. Check out the photos, and read this post on WSJ about a couple that built an "art car" out of an old BMW. -C
I love technology (and science)
Rust: The funniest video game I have ever played
26 minutes of bizarre emergent behavior and confusion. -B
mcbroken
Some dude set up a program to try to place a frosty order with every McDonalds in the world every 3 minutes so that YOU can know in advance if the ice cream machine at your favorite maccers is working before you go. Never let it be said American innovation is dead... -B
The Falkirk Wheel: A Modern Day Miracle of Engineering
Ferris wheel for boats?? -B
Here's a strangely calming video of the wheel in action. The narration sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom, but aside from that it's very enjoyable. -C
Further Reading
The Incredible Story of the Great Cannonball Boom
Like everyone who's not a millennial or younger I saw Cannonball run on tv in the '80's. The true life record for this coast to coast challenge stood for years until Covid cleared all the traffic off the roads except for dozens of people speeding east to west at 100+ mph. -B
Side note: GQ's website is a wonderful reading experience, especially their longform stuff. -C