Friday Inspiration 305
This hit home for me: A not-new (but new to me) TED Talk in which Joseph Gordon-Levitt explores how our need for attention affects creativity (video) A headline: Meet The Guy Who Spends Just $150 A Year To Eat All His Meals At Six Flags Scooby-Doo Refuses To Get The Rabies Vaccine Would it make you feel good to look at the photos in an article titled “The most brilliant bookshops in the world”? click here This tweet is funny, but even more interesting are the replies to it, in which many people share stories about people who used some version of the line “do you know who I am?” in some past situation I know nothing about this couple but the fact that they took engagement photos in their favorite grocery store suggests that I could probably be friends with them I am admittedly not much of a zombie movie watcher, but this is an interesting dive into the metaphorical meanings (and history) of zombie stories A fun fundraising campaign by Mountaineers Books, in which you can get your name in Lauren DeLaunay Miller’s upcoming book, Valley of Giants Also: I don’t know why it took me so long to do this, but I finally put this chart about remembering to attach files to emails on a coffee mug: —Brendan The post Friday Inspiration 305 appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/11/friday-inspiration-305.html November 02, 2021 at 11:50PM
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How I Look Running By Myself Vs. When I Appear In Race Photos
Thanks for reading. Before you go: If you enjoyed this piece, please consider supporting my work via Patreon, which enables me to keep writing and drawing, and will also make you feel good (and get you a bunch of members-only stuff, including discounts to my shop). —Brendan The post How I Look Running By Myself Vs. When I Appear In Race Photos appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/how-i-look-running-by-myself-vs-when-i.html October 29, 2021 at 02:50AM
Friday Inspiration 304
It’s been a few years since I’ve watched a La Blogothèque video, but I somehow landed on this one of my favorite Hamilton Leithauser song, and was overjoyed to finally hear the story behind it (video)
OK, I love that this prop exists and has appeared in so many films since the 1970s, but even more, I love that someone put the time and effort into cataloging all the different films it has appeared in. And that the video in this post is only one of three videos in the series, called “The Most Important Device in the Universe.” So holiday shopping sounds like it’s going to be a bit of a shit show this year, with supply chain issues, shipping delays, et cetera. Here’s a free no-stress idea from me: Get someone in your life a subscription to the quarterly print edition of Adventure Journal for $60. [I am saying this as a subscriber, fan, contributor to the publication, and also as a dear friend of the founders/owners, but also as a person who likes to see wonderful things succeed] I was previously unaware that there was something called the Epson International Pano Awards, but this is its 12th year, and dammmmmmmmn some of these panoramic photos are great As a fan of Jon Acuff’s work and general presence in the world, I was honored to be a guest on his podcast, and talk about goals, creativity, running, and other stuff. The best idea put forth in this interview was (not surprisingly) from Jon—that Pizza Hut should create a Book-It! program for adults, in which we receive free pizza as a reward for reading books. This is not new, but new to me: The Zillow Gone Wild Instagram, where you can see some very *interesting* ideas people have had about what to do with their living space If you read my post about Wikipedia yesterday, maybe you Googled “Ball’s Pyramid” and went down a rabbit hole. If not, here’s an old web page with photos from the 1965 first ascent of the 1800-foot tall sea stack between Australia and New Zealand. The sea stack itself is pretty bananas, and the climbing of it even more bananas, especially the giant cans of centipede deterrent spray. The post Friday Inspiration 304 appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/friday-inspiration-304.html October 22, 2021 at 11:50PM
I Recommend Wikipedia
Have you ever pulled your phone out of your pocket to do something useful, like check the weather forecast or Google the business hours of a restaurant, and then, 10 or 15 minutes later, you:
OK, me too. I would draw a humorous visual representing this exact scenario, but I believe there is no way to improve on this piece by Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal:
Look, I am not here to talk shit to anyone about their social media usage, or habits, or addiction, or whatever we’re calling it now. I am not the regular at the bar who shows up every night and drinks eight beers and then looks across at someone and says, “Now, THAT GUY is a real alcoholic.” But why do I feel so, I don’t know, not that great after I spend a few minutes scrolling through social media? Like I realize I’m hungry, and I should eat a sandwich, but instead I eat like 10 M&Ms, as if that’s a substitute? Social media isn’t all bad, obviously. Every once in a while, I find something inarguably fun, like this video of the most perfect slide ever recorded in a baseball game.
And that was great. But most of the time, instead of getting a sandwich, I get 10 M&Ms. But it’s not like grabbing 10 M&Ms out of a bag—more like sitting down in front of a big bowl of dirt and digging for a few minutes and eventually finding a few M&Ms. I don’t like eating dirt, but I like M&Ms, and somehow I’ve convinced myself that hours and hours of digging in dirt is worth it for a small handful of candy. And some days, it feels like I don’t even find a piece of food — I just spend all day eating dirt. You’ve probably seen dozens of headlines about quitting social media, or going on a social media fast, or other sorts of drastic options, such as announcing to all your followers on a Saturday that you’re taking a long break from Twitter/Facebook/Instagram, and then posting just a few times, really quick, the following Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I don’t have any hacks or tricks that have changed my life. But I did, several months ago, delete some apps from my phone and then download the Wikipedia app, and move it to the home screen. Now, why would you do that? Well, let’s just say you have a few minutes for some Internet stuff (and we have already established that you do, somehow, quite often, have a few minutes, RE: previous paragraph about trying to look up a Useful Thing on your phone). A question for you: Would you rather:
If you answered a), Wikipedia is for you. Another question: Do you think life would be more fun in general if we all said more sentences that began with the words “Did you know …”?
Because all that stuff is on Wikipedia, which literally has a section on its home page titled “Did You Know?” Some things that are not on Wikipedia:
But, you might say, Wikipedia has lots of issues. And you would be correct—there are problems, many of which are documented on the Wikipedia page titled “Why Wikipedia is not so great”.
I’m not saying replacing Twitter and/or Instagram with Wikipedia is going to transform your life. But I can definitely vouch for spending some time following your curiosity, instead of an algorithm. If you liked this story, please consider supporting my work via Patreon, which enables me to keep writing and drawing, and will also make you feel good (and get you a bunch of members-only stuff, including discounts to my shop). —Brendan The post I Recommend Wikipedia appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/i-recommend-wikipedia.html October 21, 2021 at 11:50PM
Homemade Hot Chocolate
When the weather turns from summer to fall, the leaves change from green to red, and the air is crisp, this recipe for decadent, rich, and delicious homemade hot chocolate will leave you feeling cozy, warm, and happy. Homemade Hot Chocolate HistoryWe all know hot chocolate as the warm, rich drink we enjoy on a cold night by the fire, or after engaging in winter activities such as ice skating and skiing. But have you ever thought about this delicious beverage’s origins? Hot chocolate’s history goes quite a way back, and the drink has changed over the years, evolving from cold and spicy to warm and sweet. It Started in MexicoAs early as 500 BC, the Mayans were drinking chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers (as well as other ingredients)—a much different version from the hot chocolate we know today. They would mix the drink by pouring it back and forth from a cup to a pot until a thick foam developed, and then enjoy the beverage cold. Although the chocolate drink was available to all classes of people, the wealthy would drink it from large vessels with spouts, which later would be buried along with them. Then Made its Way to EuropeIn the early 1500s, the explorer Cortez brought cocoa beans and chocolate drink-making tools to Europe. Although the drink still remained cold and bitter-tasting, it gained popularity and was adopted by the court of King Charles V as well as the Spanish upper class. After its introduction in Spain, the drink began to be served hot, sweetened, and without chili peppers. The Spanish were very protective of their wonderful new beverage, and it was over a hundred years before news of it began to spread across Europe. When it hit London in the 1700s, chocolate houses (similar to today’s coffee shops) became popular and very trendy, even though chocolate was very expensive. In the late 1700s, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, Hans Sloane, brought from Jamaica a recipe for mixing chocolate with milk, which made the drink more palatable in his opinion. Others agreed and the English started adding milk to their chocolate; it was then enjoyed as an after-dinner beverage. Hot Chocolate TodayUp until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used as a treatment for stomach and liver diseases as well as a special drink. Today, however, we simply treat this warm concoction as a beverage to sip and savor. In America, hot chocolate is somewhat thin and often made by combining hot water with packets of powder, although you can find more authentic and gourmet varieties in restaurants and cafes. Hot chocolate has become so popular in the United States that it is available in coffee vending machines. The powder is sold in packets and canisters, and coffee houses often have rich, somewhat thicker varieties on their menus. Frequently Asked Questions:What supplies do I need to make homemade hot chocolate? To make this homemade hot chocolate, you will need the following supplies:
Can I refrigerate leftovers of this homemade hot chocolate? Yes, you can refrigerate this homemade hot chocolate in a sealed food-safe container for 3-4 days. You’ll have to reheat before serving. Add the toppings right before you’re ready to drink the homemade hot chocolate. Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips? Yes, you can use milk chocolate chips in this homemade hot chocolate recipe but it will alter the taste – it will be sweeter. How can I make this homemade hot chocolate creamier? To make this a creamier hot chocolate, stir 1 teaspoon of corn starch in with the milk before adding the other ingredients. Whisk the corn starch into the milk until no lumps remain. Continue on with the recipe as written. Do you have any other recipes that go with this Homemade Hot Chocolate?
Yield: 4 servings
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Decadent, creamy, rich homemade hot chocolate is perfect to warm you up on a crisp Fall day. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, fudge, and everything in between. Ingredients
Instructions
The post Homemade Hot Chocolate appeared first on JavaCupcake. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/homemade-hot-chocolate.html October 19, 2021 at 03:50AM
Friday Inspiration 303
Billy Yang’s film about Anton Krupicka returning to racing in the 2021 Leadville 100 is great, but I think the music switch at 3:58 is a particularly *masterful* filmmaking move (video) Adam has a very good point here about news stories about people who survived a few days being lost in the woods My friend Anna wrote a wonderful piece about how she became a cold-water swimmer and between her, and my wife’s mild obsession/evangelism of the same thing over the past year, I think I might just find the motivation to break my personal cold-water swim record of 1.2 seconds this winter I just listened to Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking on the recommendation of my friend Aaron, who said he was “having my worldview so delightfully reoriented by this book,” and I have to say, SAME. I had to pause it in between chapters to think about my life and identity for several minutes, and now I’m thoroughly confused in the absolute best way. (The book came out in 2012 and was/is a massive bestseller) Jeffrey Tanenhaus rented a Citi Bike in New York City and pedaled it all the way to Los Angeles and now he has a book coming out Even though it hasn’t been updated since 2017, I just found out about the Walk of Life Project (through kottke.org), whose central argument is that the Dire Straits song “Walk of Life” is the perfect song to end any movie. Here’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Also: I (finally) made some greeting cards! Three different designs, in sets of 10 (see below). I only had 25 sets of each design printed, which is either going to be way too many or not nearly enough. The post Friday Inspiration 303 appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/friday-inspiration-303.html October 16, 2021 at 01:50AM
Friday Inspiration 302
“Caffeine seemed to be in violation of the laws of thermodynamics. Essentially, caffeine borrows energy from your future and gives it to you in the present.”—Michael Pollan (video)
Behold, I Have Returned From A Hike I have always noticed the “backup” vocalist in the Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter, but I never knew who she was, and had never thought to listen to her isolated vocals until I was reading Hanif Abdurraqib’s piece about Merry Clayton in A Little Devil in America: Notes on Black Performance. The crack in her voice has always stolen the show in the song, but the isolated vocal track with the cheers from the Stones in the background is just stunning. (This clip is from 20 Feet From Stardom) Was Michael Jordan the best-ever athlete host of Saturday Night Live? I love so many things about this piece, which is sort of about going to Spokane to watch minor league baseball, but also about learning to live through the pandemic, and also about wildfires, and also about the idea of luck, and … OK, I’ll stop, just maybe take 18 minutes and read it when you can. I implore you to spend 12 seconds watching this puppy trot along with his eight duckling pals He was named after an ornithologist, and 44 other facts about James Bond AND one more thing: I am bringing back my “Grand Canyon Groovers” wall calendar for 2022. If you are into scenic photos that include primitive toilets (or know someone who is), you might like it. The calendars are $17.99 each and can be purchased at this link on Lulu.com. —Brendan The post Friday Inspiration 302 appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/friday-inspiration-302.html October 09, 2021 at 12:50AM
How To Make Chip Drink
Last Sunday, while running on a trail through the forest, I ate what I estimate was my 1,500th Clif Blok. Or 2,000th, who knows. I do a fair amount of running and biking in situations in which on-the-go calories are useful, and Clif Bloks just work for me. They don’t blow my mind; I don’t find them so irresistible that I grab a sleeve to munch on while watching Ted Lasso; they just deliver calories, caffeine, and don’t mess with my stomach. I buy them in bulk and use them during long runs and races, and they’re fine. Alas, I cannot live on Clif Bloks alone, so I’ve experimented with lots of other foods: burritos, pizza, cookies, stroopwafels, leftover Halloween candy handed to me by spectators during the NYC Marathon, Cheez-its, Skittles, Coke, sports drinks, and several rice ball recipes. All have their pros and cons. One food that I find myself going back to is something that takes literally seconds to prepare: chip drink. Chip drink, of course, is a colloquialism that’s been used to refer to the tiny bits of potato chips left in the bottom of the bag after all the larger chips have been eaten, which the chip eater then, obviously, tips the bag to their lips and “drinks.” Fragments of potato chips also come in handy when one is partaking in an athletic endeavor in which efficient ingestion of calories is necessary. Could you stand off to the side of the trail or road during a race or bike ride and leisurely eat full-size potato chips, one by one? Of course you can. It just depends on your priorities. Do you want to minimize the amount of time you spend moving at 0 mph during your race, run, or ride? Then I recommend drinking potato chips, which enables you to ingest about 200 calories (depending on which chips you eat) in a matter of a few seconds. Also: electrolytes. I have prepared an overly elaborate illustrated guide to enable you to make your own chip drink at home. You might scroll through this and say, “All you did was smash up some potato chips! I could have done that.” Well, you’re absolutely fucking correct, Internet Guy With An Opinion—you can do it, and you should. [Full disclosure: Kettle Chips did not provide funding or product for this post and/or my chip habit, and, as far as I know, is not aware of my existence]
Here’s an obviously unnecessary video of the entire process, for further illustration: If you liked this story, please consider supporting my work via Patreon, which enables me to keep writing and drawing, and will also make you feel good (and get you a bunch of members-only stuff, including discounts to my shop). —Brendan
The post How To Make Chip Drink appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/how-to-make-chip-drink.html October 08, 2021 at 12:50AM
Perceived Size Of Rock In Shoe Vs. Actual Size Of Rock In Shoe
This is not a metaphor for anything; just something that happened to me last week. Or maybe it is a metaphor, I guess (More stuff like this on my Instagram and in my email newsletter, which you can sign up for here) The post Perceived Size Of Rock In Shoe Vs. Actual Size Of Rock In Shoe appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/perceived-size-of-rock-in-shoe-vs.html October 05, 2021 at 05:50AM
Friday Inspiration 301
I wish Mac Miller was around to see this video of his new song, which just kind of feels like this year, in some way (video)
Damn I love the sentiment Austin Kleon writes about here—“don’t be afraid to disappear …” Thanks to my friend Derik and our two-person long-distance baseball book club, I read this brief but brilliant book about fathers, sons, and baseball last week and can report that it is 100 percent as wonderful as he said it was Lego versions of iconic album covers Some selections from Haruki Murakami’s extensive collection of graphic t-shirts, including his “I put ketchup on my ketchup” shirt, which draws a lot of comments from people who “usually have that ‘I love ketchup’ look about them” “I’m just a lowly seventeenth-century British sailor, not some fancy-pants seventeenth-century British sawbones, but there’s one thing I know for sure: I would rather walk the plank than suck on a single stinking lime. You know what I do trust? My own body to protect me. I’m young and fit, and my childhood rickets has almost entirely cleared up.” Add me to the list of people watching and loving Reservation Dogs (trailer) —Brendan The post Friday Inspiration 301 appeared first on Semi-Rad.com. Via Explore http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://thejustinmarshall.blogspot.com/2021/10/friday-inspiration-301.html October 02, 2021 at 12:50AM |