I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays, the end of the year, and all of the Star Wars festivities. I am currently up in Chicago, where it is a comfortable 3 °F. But my focus is about to turn to the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day in L.A. Go Dawgs!!
As always, if you know anyone that would like to subscribe, please send them to YeeHaw.io.
Taylor
[The Good Stuff]
OMINOUS PIC - This does not represent my 2018 outlook, but I thought this picture was interestingly terrifying.
BEST ACTION VIDEOS OF 2017 (Video) - Each year, GoPro release a compilation of the best videos submitted that year. Although this serves as a long commercial, I enjoy these videos because they are visually stimulating and make you want to get outside and travel. (2.5 minutes)
A BETTER WEDDING BAND (Website Link) - I don't like jewelry and I was not looking forward to adding a ring to my daily accessories. I have a nice wooden ring, but it isn't very comfortable. After shopping around for an alternative, I found Groove. They make silicone wedding bands, which many people use when exercising or when working with their hands (i.e. commercial fishing, management consulting). Groove rings are better than other silicon bands because grooves inside of the band make them more breathable and comfortable. I went with a Groove Thin and wear it as my daily wedding band. ($30)
THE SMOKESCREEN THAT INFLUENCES ELECTIONS (Podcast) - I hope I don't become a broken record by recommending Reply All over and over, but in The Prophet, they investigate how a woman being assaulted ties to a large political conspiracy in Mexico. Warning - this episode does include descriptions of the assault. (39-minutes)
THE BLACKEST BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK (Video) - This short clip shows the blackest man-made substance in the world, Ventablack. This is done using nano-tubes and is thought to be the closest color to a black hole that we have ever seen. (2.5 minutes)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S TOP NATURE PHOTOS OF 2017 (Article) - National Geographic annually awards a photographer for wildlife, landscapes, aerials, and underwater photos. This article shows the winning photos along with the honorable mentions. #14 and #20 are my faves. (20 pics)
COOKING VIDEOS INSPIRED BY FAMOUS FILMMAKERS (Videos) - I don't really get it, but Laura loves watching short cooking videos online. She finds them mesmerizing. I think this collection of cooking videos, done in the style of Wes Anderson (s'mores), Quentin Tarantino (pancakes), Alfonso Cuarón (spaghetti), and Michael Bay (waffles), is much more entertaining. (1-minute each)
HOPEFUL IMAGES OF 2017 (Article) - The Atlantic shares a compilation of positive and heartwarming images from this past year. Some are cute while others are emotional and powerful. (35 pics)
ARE YOU AFRAID OF ROBOT NINJAS? (Video) - This short video shows what BostonDynamics is doing with robots. There are also blooper highlights, which reminds us that robots still have a way to go. (1-minute)
MUSIC - The Stranger Things theme song always puts me in a mood to listen to 80s synthwave music. If any of you are in the same boat, below are some fun options:
- Stranger Things Theme Song - 10 Minute Remix (YouTube Link)
- Lifelike - So Electric (YouTube Link)
- New Retro Wave YouTube Channel (Link). Scroll down to "popular uploads." I click on a song, like the one by Miami Nights 1984, and let the YouTube playlist vortex take over.
MEMES - A few more than usual to close out 2017:
- When high-fives go wrong (Link). And another one (Link). This poor dude cannot catch a break
- Escaped farm animals (sound on) (Link)
- Millennial Jeopardy (Link)
- Hitchhicking in Middle-earth (Link)