Friends of Dave #271: the gift of meat juice
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Just getting back in the saddle after a quick February school break get away last week.
Figured I would share a few random thoughts and observations for you this week:
How anyone books air travel in 2022 without having TSA Precheck is a mystery to me. With security standards seeming to vary from airport to airport (even though lines are not crazy long), Precheck (and it's glorious, international cousin, Global Entry) is a breeze, especially if you are traveling with kids under 12. Seriously, from airport drop off to Starbucks counter near the gate in under 10 minutes -- circa 1996. Even though my air travel is significantly less these days, I will never travel without it again. If for some reason you still don't have it yourself, stop procrastinating and click >> HERE << and start the application process now. Well worth the $$$ if you think you might travel at least a few times in the next 5 years.
Speaking of air travel, here's one for you: I am convinced that everyone has a special go to drink they order when the beverage cart comes around on a flight. And interestingly, I will bet your go to drink is NOT something you typically drink at home. You have a good one? Let me know. Me? It's ginger ale pretty much without fail, every flight. Don't know why. Weird....and if your drink is airline coffee or tea, I suggest you find a new one....
Go get yourself some good, over the ear, noise cancelling bluetooth headphones before that next trip as well....holy sh*t, Friends, I'm pretty sure not hearing the snoring middle seat guy and the crying 2 year old in the row in front of me made my ginger ale taste better. Now if we we could just somehow solve the elderly gentleman with the weak prostate behind me yanking my seat back to help him get up to go to the restroom 3 times I would be good...
Okay last travel related one: I don't know about you, but heart string pulling movies are a complete no-no for me on flights. Show me "Rudy" or "The Pursuit of Happyness" or "E.T." or, heck, even "Working Girl" on a plane and I am a freaking puddle....Sitting on my couch at home, no problem. In seat 15C, I am your mom at your high school graduation.....if your mom was wearing big headphones and drinking Canada Dry like it was going out of style....
If you like to take pictures and you are due for a phone upgrade, the iPhone 13 Pro is a game changer. I know Apple likes to improve the camera quality and resolution with each new version, but the combination of three lenses, 15x zoom and software makes daytime and night time photography practically fool proof. No tripod or filters necessary -- seriously.
Been watching "Inventing Anna" on Netflix -- based on the crazy, true story about socialite grifter Anna Delvey originally published in The Cut (which I believe I shared here as a Last Word article as well). Mixed feelings about the series (the article was unreal) -- but Julia Garner playing the title character has some James Franco in the "Disaster Artist" vibe going with her weird accent.
Euphoria on HBO.....started watching it to see what our teenagers were making a fuss about.....and got hooked. Pretty dark and depressing overall, but Zendaya is so good in her role as the troubled central character. Honestly, when it is over she could go up on the James Gandolfini Mantel for all time great HBO series lead actors/actresses. That talented.
Speaking of the Sopranos, I know it has been a few weeks, but I really liked the Chevy Silverado/Sopranos ad during the Super Bowl. Great combination of nostalgia, storytelling and product -- made me want to drop in and see more about Meadow and AJ almost 15 years later. I also thought the Coinbase floating QR Code ad during the Super Bowl was brilliant.....up until the point where their servers crashed. Other than those and maybe Larry David, do you really remember anything else?
Winter Olympics came and went and for the first time in a long time I don't think people even cared. It was the weirdest thing. I don't know if it was COVID, the China controversy, the fractured nature of our society or just how we consume content these days. I barely watched myself -- and when I did I seemed to catch more curling than anything....it really says something when you choose to spend your time watching pretty un-athletic people play shuffleboard on ice over doing just about anything else.
The situation in Ukraine is no doubt disturbing and concerning on a number of levels. As usual, I try to stay out of politics here, but I thought I would share this thread from retired Army general Mark Hertling that I retweeted this week that might give you (as it did me) some hope. Read through it in its entirety if you can. Also, be extra vigilant with sharing content on social media and really knowing the validity of the source. This situation seems ripe for a lot of disinformation to be distributed quickly in order to control the narrative.
Finally, I am convinced there is a completely underrated super power that can be found in select people: the power of being relatable. I think being able to relate to others regardless of any differences there may be is a valuable skill that shows tremendous emotional intelligence. It goes beyond being able to have casual banter with the cashier at the grocery store. People that are relatable are probably the strongest teammates, partners, parents and leaders you know. This might not be the last time you hear from me on this topic so stay tuned....
Okay enough with the dump of my random thoughts. On to the articles this week. And how is it March already???? Enjoy.
XOXO
Dave
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Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
Map Explainer: Key Facts About Ukraine — www.visualcapitalist.com
Ukraine has made headlines due to ongoing tensions with Russia. In this map infographic, learn more about Ukraine from a structural point of view
In the 1800s, Valentine’s Meant a Bottle of Meat Juice An act of love in the form of a medicinal tonic.
Why Are Letters Shaped the Way They Are?
"I love U, just the way U R." -- Billy Joel if he were to sing about this on Sesame Street.....
Remarkable Trees Throughout The World A collection of remarkable trees, from marvelous to strange, throughout the world.Â
And The Last Word....
The Fascinating History Behind the Seven-Day Week — medium.com
The way human beings interpret time has a lot to do with the movements of celestial bodies like the planets, stars, and the Moon. Everyone also knows that one day on Earth is equal to 24 hours, one week is equal to seven days, and one year is equal to 12 months. What is not as well known, however, is why our passage of time is broken down in this manner.
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