The Matchbook | 3.8.24

It’s a very special day this day, a very special one indeed. It’s my brother-in-law’s BIRTHDAY today, and so it feels like we should celebrate, though we’re too far away, though the carrot cake slice we bought him is already devoured. Nevertheless, HAPPY BIRTHDAY WES! We love you so much brother, and hope the day is perfect. Here’s some fresh little links to help ring in a new year!

I bet Wes would say, if he could have ONE thing for his birthday, it would be that you join our exclusive community and help keep the lights on here. Wanna make him happy? Click below:

---

Here’s the scoop, kids:

Lord G’s Finds:

1. The Most Beautiful Shots In Movie History - I love movies, so very, very much. I always have, I always will. The cinematography for me, has always been one of the biggest reasons, as a photographer myself, as I always notice the way a scene is shot. This video, and its sequel, are stunning, because they highlight what are arguably the most beautiful shots in all the illustrious history of cinema. What is YOUR favorite shot?

2. Airheads Bites - I don’t even like candy, not really, so the fact that I’m singing the praises of these little gems is shocking. I stole these bags from Dry Fly Distilling, my brother-in-law and sister’s distillery in Spokane, and am absolutely addicted to them now. I can only eat a few at a time, but I’ll be damned if they aren’t so beyond tasty. They remind me a little of Oompa’s, a candy that should have never been discontinued and literally fueled me through New Zealand. Mmm.

   

3. Two Stretches After Sitting Too Long - I oscillate between a standing desk and sitting down to write, and I have noticed what everyone before me has already noticed: When I sit for long periods, oof, my old man back feels it. These two stretches, that can be done at your desk or in your chair, work wonders to loosen things up, and make you feel a hell of a lot better and fresher. I ain’t no spring chicken anymore, it’s time to limber up.

   

4. Why USA People Stopped Hanging Out & Why It Matters - I’ve rambled about this about 10,000 times here, but to hear a whole podcast on it was powerful. This interview dives into the strange and cataclysmic shift that’s taken in the way that United Statesians (not a word) spend their social time, and how much we don’t see one another anymore. Teenagers, for example, have seen a 45% reduction in face-to-face time with peers from 2003 to 2022. That is INSANE and we’ve seen it first hand here. Really, really worth a listen.

   

   Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

5. 17 Lessons From 17 Years of Marginalian - The Marginalian is one of my favorite daily reads, and I’ve been meaning to share this for ages. Here are 17 life lessons from the 17 years they’ve been operating, and my goodness, all of them are so vital. Just to prove this, the very first one is a powerhouse: “Allow yourself the uncomfortable luxury of changing your mind.” My goodness, what a different place we’d be in now, if that was the case.

Lady G’s Finds:

1. We The Free High Roller Jumpsuit - Free People is expensive, but man do they do things right. I’m gonna order an “amazon dupe” version of these in the washed black, but for now, I’m loving these overalls I got with a gift certificate from Jan over Christmas. Thanks Jan!

   

2. 6 U.S. Islands To Slow Down On - You don’t have to go far far away to feel very far far away. Turns out, some of the best vacation hideaway islands are in this very country. I reallllly want to go to Cumberland Island in Georgia, and back to Catalina in California. Yes, yes please. Join us there?!

   

   Photo by Adam Colick / Shutterstock.

3. Yotam Ottolenghi’s Pasta and Zucchini Salad - When Springtime even hints at returning, I start craving foods just like this, and this recipe even looks very, very much like it’d fit in on St. Patrick’s Day! Do you have any recipes that just scream Spring to you?! If so, share them below!

   

4. Whirly Pop Popcorn Maker - It’s simple, it’s interactive, and it makes the damn best popcorn in the world. Or so Tyler and I think. Add a lot of butter, add a lot of salt (if you’re Tyler) and enjoy. We required the much heavier Stainless Steel version for our induction stovetop, but for those who have gas or electric, the simple, aluminum is a lot cheaper and lighter! Trust me, it’s absolutely amazing.

   

5. Helena Life-Reboot Retreats?! - Ok, so this is very exploratory for now, but we’re putting the feelers out to see what interest is like. Would ANY of you be perhaps interested in a 3 or 4 day life-reboot type retreat class here in our hometown of Helena, Montana? There are still a LOT of details to figure out, obviously, but we’re just starting to get balls rolling that could line up to make this happen. Here’s what we need from you: What would you want it to be about/cover/include? Would you even WANT to come to Montana for it? Would you prefer everyone stay in one Airbnb or place or just get separate hotel rooms, etc, for privacy sake? ANY other thoughts please sound off…I’m opening comments to everyone on this post so you can chime in, no matter what. Let us know and we’ll see what’s what!?

6. Spokane Garbage Goat Mug & Goat in General - Every city needs a Garbage Goat, the infamous metal statue that looks like a goat in Spokane that has a massively powerful vacuum hidden inside that sucks up all the garbage you might be holding onto. It’s fun, it’s clean, and it encourages people to stop littering. Rad. I got a mug to commemorate it!

   

   Don’t forget to sound off about the retreats! Have a brilliant weekend.

We love you all. Be good.