How To Get The Loud People At The Campground To Quiet Down As I slither out of my sleeping bag an hour after “quiet hours” began at the campground, creeping toward the door of the tent to go ask the people at the next campsite to maybe possibly keep it down, you know, if it’s not too much trouble, I think: this is going to go one of two ways. They’re going to say oops, sorry, we'll quiet down, or I’m going to have to engage in hand-to-hand combat with up to five men (which will be quick and...
2 days ago • 3 min read
Friday Inspiration 491 NOTE: I'm publishing this week's post on Thursday since this Friday is July 4th, and lots of people/Americans do other things on July 4th. Please feel free to read it on Thursday, Friday, or whatever day suits your needs. This is a bit longer than the videos I usually include here, but I got sucked into this guy’s adventure on “America’s Worst Rated Train,” and honestly, it delivered. About halfway through, I wasn't sure it was good press for Amtrak, but by the end of...
9 days ago • 4 min read
Friday Inspiration 490 IMPORTANT FINAL REMINDER: If you or someone you know/love would enjoy this water bottle because you/they struggle to stay hydrated (or just enjoy the chart on the bottle), we’re in the final days of the pre-order campaign. After June 30, you will no longer be able to purchase these bottles (even during the holiday shopping season, when you remember that you need to get a gift for your friend Jeff, who probably would have loved one of these). Here’s the link (you can...
15 days ago • 3 min read
Friday Inspiration 489 I haven’t listened to a Moth story in a long time, but I somehow found out The Moth had a YouTube channel, and this was the first story I watched. This guy isn’t famous or anything, but I love this story, and his mom sounds like a real one. File under: Suprisingly Emotional Stories About Baseball. (video) It’s a good question: Is it possible to buy a Bob Ross painting? I mean, it should be easy, shouldn’t it? But no, in fact it is not easy, and it is possible, and...
22 days ago • 4 min read
Two Different Mountains We were interviewing a writer whose work I admireand he mentioned that someone told him that we now have the technologythat can write articles for you, super fast And he said Wait, no, what I enjoy is writing the article,not holding it in my hand and saying "this is the thing that I did” I have nothing against minced garlic in a jarbut what I really like is when I have the time to chop the garlic myselfwhen I tell myself that it’s important Important enough to take two...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Friday Inspiration 488 VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re doing a limited-run water bottle starting today. It has my “What Does Your Urine Say About You?” Chart printed on the side. Is it a reminder to stay hydrated? (yes!) Is it a pee bottle? (up to you!) Is it a conversation piece? (yes!) Can you get one after June 20th, 2025? No. Pre-orders start today, and will close next Friday, June 30th, so if you want one, or know someone who would love one as a gift, here’s where you can order one...
29 days ago • 3 min read
Friday Inspiration 487 This video is my first time seeing a sweep boat in action, and my first reaction was "DAMN that thing looks unwieldy," so it’s really cool to watch someone expertly navigating it on Idaho’s Salmon River. (video) I don’t know if I’ve previously mentioned the Rotating Sandwiches website in this newsletter before, but I have to believe that if you’re reading this newsletter, you know a) someone who would appreciate the Rotating Sandwiches website OR b) someone who would be...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Analog Monologue I have a million unread emails in my inbox and I’m doing this instead, I say to myself, as I try to not fall off the ladder—or at least remember to let go of the trigger of the circular saw before I do fall off the ladder. I also should probably clean the bathroom, start writing that thing for next week, research that other thing, put the new wheel on Jay’s bike, call an arborist about that tree limb, make an appointment for a haircut, and do a bunch of other stuff that would...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Friday Inspiration 486 I have recommended the 1996 Geena Davis + Samuel L. Jackson filmThe Long Kiss Goodnight before in this newsletter, so it felt really good to have a YouTube film critic with a large following endorse it as “one of the most underrated and overlooked action movies of the 1990s,” as well as explain why it’s so good (and why Mitch is one of Samuel L. Jackson's favorite characters he's played!). (video) Years ago, I was climbing a multi-pitch route with a French friend who...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
