Issue 202: Books, More Books, Carmen Sandiego & Coffee-mate
And.... we're back. After the last newsletter, I ended up getting grounded in Reno and celebrated my birthday with a 14-hour marathon drive home. Lots of big life changes happening this year, more on that soon, but for now, a very very book heavy edition of this newsletter!
Only Books Before Bed. It doesn't sound hard, but holy crap it is. I've been trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to not look at my phone or iPad before bed and have books be my only pre-sleep leisure activity.
To that end, I'm trying to read 25 books this year. That averages out to slightly more than 2 a month... which has been hard. Scroll down to Consumption Junction for a full list of what I've read so far.
What do you do before bed? And, what are you reading these days?
Harvard University has a group called "THUD" that is basically like an a capella group, except instead of singing, they play covers on 'boomwhackers' – lightweight, hollow, color-coded, plastic tubes, tuned to a musical pitch by length.
THE MOVIE "BIG" WAS TURNED INTO A BROADWAY MUSICAL THAT CAME AND WENT (BUT WAS SOMEHOW NOMINATED FOR SOME TONY'S). Seen here – complete with a dated topical intro from Nathan Lane.
The Regan Administration purposefully withheld the identity of the 'unknown soldier' from the Vietnam War to use it as political propaganda. Here's a 99 Percent Invisible episode about the memorial.
What I've read, am reading, and plan to read this year.
First up, here's what I've read so far:
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Very good. Especially in audiobook form. This is the first Neil Gaiman book I've read, and now I get the hype.The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mulally and Nick Offerman
Fun. I started a big Offerman fan (Offerfan?) and emerged a bigger one. There are def sections that felt like they needed to fill a book, but overall great.Broad Band; The Untold Story of the Women Who Made The Internet by Claire L Evans
Fascinating subject matter, but felt like it couldn't decide if it was narrative non-fiction or a personal memoir.Everything's Trash, But It's Okay by Phoebe Robinson
Delightful. This makes me really want to read her first book.Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier by Katie Hafner and John Markoff
Really interesting, especially because I'd read an autobiography by one of the hackers they cover, and this tells a VERY different story of his exploits.Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Had no idea what a good writer he was. Highly recommend the audiobook, which he narrates.
Here's what I'm currently reading...
Your Art Will Save Your Life by Beth Pickens
This is a very short book, but I am saaaavoring it. Basically, this brilliant woman who consults and does therapy and grant-writing for artists consolidated all the advice she was giving people after the 2016 election into a book. Reading it is like therapy focused on you as an artist.Dear Los Angeles by David Kipen
I was gifted this for my birthday and it's fascinating. Diary entries from people in and about Los Angeles, in chronological order by day (but not by year!) feels like voyeuristic time travel. I'm going slowly because I keep wanting to look up each diarist on Wikipedia.I Must Say by Martin Short
Another birthday gift. Boy, Martin Short sure is endearing and has lived a very full and exciting life. This is a fun and quick read. I'm reading the paperback, but I'd bet you the audiobook is a delight.
And, what I've been recommended or have on the docket.
The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
The Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Hack Attack: The Inside Story of How The Truth Caught Up With Rupert Murdoch by Nick Davies
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Impossible Owls by Brian Phillips
Travel as a Political Act by Rick Steves
Sharp: The Women Who Made An Art of Having An Opinion, by Michelle Dean
I'll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle McNamara
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life by Eric Klinenberg
Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
I'll report back as I continue. Meanwhile, feel free to add me on Goodreads.
Also, what are you reading? Any suggestions for me?
Reply and let me know!
Nearly all the noise in the political world is being taken up by the Mueller report, and for good reason. But, aside from putting pressure on your reps to make it public, there's not a ton you can do about it. (Sorry).
One thing I'm trying to focus on is Swing Left's 11 Super States in the 2020 election. Swing Left did some great organizing in the 2018 election, and they're a great org to support. Check out the Swing Left Super State Strategy here.
I've got two limited time offers for you to enjoy! For the indoor kids, Google Earth rebooted the old Carmen Sandiego game:
I used to play the heck out of the old Broderbund Carmen Sandiego game and this single mission Google Earth edition is serving up some serious nostalgia. It has retro-inspired graphics combined with the ability to browse Google Earth. Very fun.
And, for the outdoor kids...
As if the superbloom wasn't enough, the combination of heavy rains, dry weather – and, idunno, maybe magic? – have resulted in a massive migration of Painted Lady butterflies. This article via Hipcamp (where I also got the photo) gives some good tips for where to see them. Makes me wanna go camping!
A while back, I directed three spots for Coffee-mate starring my UCB teammate and pal Dave Theune and featuring a dozen or so other very talented folks (like Dayna Bowers, above in matching plaid). Watch them all here.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to get your feedback. Favorite segment? What's working? What's not working? What do you want to see more of?