The Matchbook | 2.2.24

It’s 2-2, and that’s pretty cool. I know it’s silly, but I love when the date is something simple and unique that makes you happy for no other reason than we just need more reasons to be happy. Why the hell not? Anyhow, very, very special episode today, as all the way from NEW ZEALAND (by way of Wales, and New Zealand as Sav is indeed a Kiwi), we have some very, very special guests.

Ash Raymond James

and Sav folks, you guessed it, and we’re pleased as punch to have them guest host with us!

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Here’s the scoop, kids:

Lord G’s Finds:

1. The Origins Of 15 Urban Legends - I’ve talked about Urban Legends before, just before Halloween, but this my friends, is a bit different. This is the ORIGINS of 15 of them that have somehow endured, as legends often do, after all this time. How did Candyman come to be? Where did Mothman originate? Why did people actually believe Mikey died from eating Pop-Rocks and Soda? Now you’ll know, and if that’s not something special, I just really don’t know what is. Got a favorite urban legend you’ve often wondered about? Let us know in the comments.

2. The Winterkeeper - Yellowstone National Park is a special place, that needs special protection, and I had absolutely no idea that during the winter months, that protection falls largely on a single person. This is a stunning documentary, short in form but long in lesson, about that man, and about that park, and about the uncertain future for both of them. Absolutely stunning.

3. Somewhere on the Spectrum Podcast - Yep, tooting our own horns here once more, as many of you might not know that

   Ash Raymond James
   and I also once ran an entire video podcast series on Autism, and what it’s like to live Somewhere on the Spectrum. It’s beautiful, it’s informative, and it’s ALL on YouTube for your watching pleasure. If you liked this episode, you gotta dive in and listen/watch our shenanigans. It’s just good. It just is.

Lady G’s Finds:

1. Breadsong - Finding this book was a complete happenstance, an accident I didn’t ever intend on finding at our public library, and I am so beyond glad I did. It’s the story of a father and daughter’s unbelievable attempts to help her anxiety and depression, and the amazing way they finally did…baking together. This book has made me cry, made me laugh, and just keeps me wanting to read it more and more. Tyler bought me my own copy, and I cannot wait for it to arrive.

   

2. 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls - Some say it cannot be done, that it’s impossible to make good cinnamon rolls in only an hour. This recipe, Tyler’s sister McGraw shared with me, completely disagrees. Now that I’ve made them, I can attest: THEY ARE AMAZING. Goodbye to the rolls that take days and days to make, here’s to an hour and some deliciousness.

Ash’s Finds:

1. Mistakes & Their Inventions - After reading about the hilarious 1700s party that lead to the accidental invention of laughing gas and anesthetic, I fell down the rabbit hole of other inventions that came about purely by accident. Some of the greatest inventions just so happened to come from the biggest accidents, and I cannot stop thinking of how funny that is.

2. The Afterlife - After watching The Orville and an episode of them discovering a species that buries its dead with maps, so they know how to find their way to the Afterlife, it got me thinking and researching. I found out Egyptians did something very similar, buried their dead with maps and instructions on how to get to Duat. Apparently many cultures have purgatorial places that must be passed through in order for the Afterlife to be reached, and I find that so beyond fascinating.

   

Sav’s Finds:

1. The Honey Queen - This is such a beautiful book that I have always loved, and I really want more people to love it too. It’s about love, and friendship, and women, and it’s such a beautiful story set in the most amazing Irish town. If you’ve not read and are looking for a new book, I highly recommend it.

2. My Pin Collection - I’ve always collected pins and buttons, and Ash finally put this together for me to display them all, rather than all bunched up in a jar or something else. I love how I can see them, and all the memories they are connected to, so easily now. Special nod to the Glencoe pin, we got 5 years ago, the last time we were all together.

   

We love you all. Be good.