Hello all,
I am recovering from a 12-hour bug, which has given me some time to work on a newsletter. I don’t get Columbus Day off. Hopefully some of you do.
Got some goodies here, in particular, a playlist that I have been working on for a while - details below.
As always, if you know anyone that would like to subscribe, please send them to YeeHaw.io.
Taylor
[THE GOOD STUFF]
Dubrovnik, Croatia - my new favorite place
Sleep Master
GET BETTER SLEEP - A few years ago I was living in an apartment with a lot of natural light, a great feature until you want to sleep longer than the sun. I opted for a sleep mask to help me out. After trying a few different masks, I discovered the Sleep Master Sleep Mask. What makes this mask better than all the others is that it is softer and more comfortable, it blocks light around the nose much better, and it wraps over the ears. If it shifts a little during the night, it manages to cover your eyes fine and is still comfortable somehow. This thing has helped me sleep in conditions such as long flights or bright rooms where I otherwise would have been unhappily whinny and sleep deprived. Add in some ear plugs and you can sleep almost anywhere. ($22)
Enter the Dragon
WHAT MAKES A KUNG FU MOVIE? - Kung fu films have always seemed really cool to me (probably because I still have hopes to one day be a ninja) but I haven’t seen many of them. I plan to change this in the near future. This short video, narrated by a MoMa film curator, is a primer on Kung Fu. It explains the meaning of the word, how it applies to film, shows some of the greatest kung fu masters, and explains what makes them so impressive. (9 minutes)
Podcast
A CRAZY, TRUE STORY (Podcast) - True crime podcasts aren’t really my thing. But Laura introduced me to Dr. Death and this 6-episode show is so engrossing. Each episode is about 40 minutes and I listened to the whole thing in a day. I could not stop. It covers the story of a neurosurgeon with such horrific surgical outcomes that it was unclear if he was intentionally harming his patients…pretty scary stuff.
CREEPY THRILLER (Show) - How about a creepy thriller in video form? Check out HBO’s Sharp Objects. Based on the Gillian Flynn (also known for Gone Girl) book, this series is about a journalist going back to her dysfunctional small hometown to investigate the recent murder of a young girl. This stirring 8-part series is pretty dark and twisted…so…you have been warned.
THE TOOTHBRUSH YOU’VE SEEN EVERYWHERE ONLINE (Link)- You likely have seen ads for Quip, the inexpensive electric toothbrush, and probably wondered how this thing is so cheap and if it does anything. Me too. I got it and…I fully recommend it. Here is the deal, you buy the toothbrush ($25), they send you a new brush head and batteries every 3 months ($5), and that is it. Never think about getting a new toothbrush again. Plus, the thing has a 2-minute timer and signals you every 30 seconds for you to move to another area of your mouth. I have never, in my life, brushed for 2 minutes prior to owning this toothbrush, but have every time since. Yes, you could set a timer. But do you? No, you don’t. And you never will. Unless you get this thing. You still have to actually brush your teeth some (I think that is the case with all electric toothbrushes), but this thing takes out much of the effort.
MAYBE SOMETHING MORE UPBEAT - I recently watched Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and was surprised at how moving it is. I never watch Mr Rogers as a kid because, frankly, I thought his show was boring. So I didn’t think I would have much of an appreciation for this documentary. But you cannot help but be touched by the story of Fred Rogers, who I learned is likely one of the most genuine people that has ever been on television.
MUSIC - I present you with two playlists and one album recommendation this time.
We can dance if we want to - I am especially proud of this. I been on a big 80s kick and love 80s new wave, so decided to make a playlist of my favorites. This thing is 118 songs and counting. I have been listening to it on repeat nonstop for the past two weeks. I hope you enjoy it. A few disclaimers:
This is an 80s new wave playlist, but a few songs may not be considered new wave. In fact, not all songs are even from the 80s. You could, therefore, argue that this is simply, a playlist. Maybe so. Please just go with it
No, there is no such thing as too much Tears for Fears
YeeHaw 8 - 14 songs of what I have been listening to recently. Mostly new stuff, but a couple not new songs. This playlist largely includes some old faces that recently released new albums (Gorillaz, Interpol, Santigold) but also has some new faces
Best Kids - Best Coast is an indie rock band from LA. They recently released an album of kids songs, and it is really great. Ice Cream Mountain is my favorite. The album is included in Prime Music