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

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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

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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.

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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: 

1. a) have not done the Useful Thing, 
2. b) forgot what the Useful Thing was, and 
3. c) could not, a day later, while being interrogated at gunpoint, remember what you actually did during that 10-15-minute span?

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: 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by theoatmeal (@theoatmeal)

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. 

 

This might possibly be the most satisfying slide i’ve ever seen in my life pic.twitter.com/OvhvFis8fY

— ?????????? (@TheBlazingKing_) August 11, 2021

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:

1. a) learn some basic information about a random topic, which you may then bring up in a conversation sometime in the next few months
2. b) scroll through opinions, jokes, hot takes, arguments, complaints, maybe some GIFs, and/or photos of attractive people doing things, and maybe get some basic information about something through part of that process

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 …”? 

• Did you know that the summit elevation of Mt. Logan, the highest mountain in Canada, is still rising due to active tectonic uplifting?
• Did you know that the cooking method for Tacos Al Pastor is based on lamb shawarma brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants? 
• Did you know that Alexander “Zee” Grant, who paddled the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in a folding kayak in 1941, did not know how to roll his boat? 
• Did you know AJ McLean was technically the first Backstreet Boy? 
• Did you know that Ball’s Pyramid, an erosional remnant of a shield volcano rising 1,844 feet out of the ocean off the coast of Australia and the world’s tallest sea stack, is home to the last known wild population of the 8-inch-long Lord Howe Island stick insect, a species thought to be extinct in 1920, but rediscovered in 2014 by group of climbers on an unauthorized expedition to climb the spire? 
• Did you know that Count Chocula’s full name is Count Alfred Chocula? 

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:

• People from your extended family/high school/old job selling you on pyramid schemes/conspiracy theories/“science” they learned about on TikTok
• People arguing with each other
• People you know calling you an asshole
• People you’ve never met calling you an asshole
• People who do not actually exist calling you an asshole
• People calling other people assholes
• A like button
• A dislike button
• Any sort of feature that would allow people to comment
• ads

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”. 

• Is it a be-all, end-all source of objective information? It is not. (What is?) 
• Is it a springboard for beginning to learn about something? It is. 
• Does it make me feel better than scrolling through social media feeds? Often.
• Are the rabbit holes on Wikipedia more satisfying than social media rabbit holes? Subjectively, yes.  
• Does it make me feel empty on a regular basis? Not typically. Yes, there is lots of stuff about world history on Wikipedia, and because the world has often been (and still often is) a fucked-up place, you can find yourself reading some fucked-up stuff about the past. But, hear me out: Learning from the past can be a lot more productive than winding yourself up trying to predict the future based on social media posts and daily news. 

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

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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 History

We 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 Mexico

As 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 Europe

In 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 Today

Up 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:

• measuring cups and spoons of various sizes
• medium sized pot
• whisk
• toppings such as marshmallows, chocolate sauce, sprinkles, etc.

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?

• Homemade Marshmallows
• Chocolate dipped spoons
• S’mores cupcakes

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

• 3 ½ cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• optional toppings: whipped cream, mini marshmallows, fudge ice cream topping

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, whisk together milk, heavy cream, sugar, and cocoa powder.
2. Place pot on the stovetop over high heat, stirring often until mixture starts to simmer. Watch this closely as milk can boil over quickly and you don’t want this to come to a full boil.
3. Reduce heat to medium then add in chocolate chips and stir until melted.
4. Remove pot from heat then stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Serve hot in heat-safe mugs.
6. Top with your choice of toppings.

© Betsy Eves

Cuisine: Dessert / Category: Beverages

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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

Ted Lasso Is No Superhero

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.

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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 

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