The Matchbook | 8.18.25

Little Bits Of Light

It’s smokey here, beyond smokey, it smells like ash and the sky is orange and it’s hard to breathe and I am so worried this is and will always be the new normal. I hope not, but goodness, it feels like it. Anyway, here’s some cool links to help you breathe through it all.

Easiest way to keep this place running, these essays and emails coming, is to pledge your support to the cause. I’d love you forever:

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Here’s the scoop, kids:

1. 12 Insane Facts About Space - I’m fascinated by space, always have been, always will be. It astonishes me, and a few days after watching the Perseid Meteor Shower light up the sky, I’m still reeling. Here are 12 facts that will rock your world, and your outer spaces too. Here’s one: “The Apollo astronauts' footprints on the moon will probably stay there for at least 100 million years.” Tell me that’s not amazing?

2. Vertical Nap Pods?! Yep - What starts in Japan, inevitably ends up as some expensive gimmick in fancy offices and companies all over California, and I’m sure this will be the same. A company in Japan has designed a pod that they claim allows people to take full naps whilst sitting upright completely. As space becomes increasingly less on this overcrowded planet, is this the solution to needing to sleep in public? Hahaha.

3. Daily Habits Of Truly Happy People - Who doesn’t want to be happier? Actually happier? Thankfully, some smart people interviewed some happy people, did some studies on it, and then came up with 4 tips on how the rest of us cynical bastards can reap the same benefits. Thank god for that.

4. Invocation Of The Stars by Luna Maye - She’s not saying anything, just making sounds, but I’ll be damned if that’s not enough for me. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a song whose title is just so perfect. This song feels like a little slice of weird peace in an otherwise busy day. Maybe just to me, but who knows?

5. The Most Reflective Mirror In The World - I don’t know why my brain is so fascinated with sciencey stuff, but it is, and that means you’ll always be seeing weird science stuff on here. This one is cool as hell though, and watching the mirror literally disappear, or become a damn flashlight, is pretty amazing. Give it a few minutes, and be wowed, whilst also learning something weird and new. Why not?

6. Bhutanese Baseball? - If I told you that Bhutan has aspirations of becoming the next great baseball nation, you’d probably laugh and say I was nuts. Turns out, it’s all true, and the photos from this essay are stunning. My dad will love this one, as it’s a place we’ve always wanted to go…maybe now, he’ll get invited to coach there? :)

   

   Photo by Matthew DeSantis @matthewrdesantis

7. Typewriter Series Silliness - More videos of me being an idiot, but reading you poetry along the way. Cool beans man.

   

   @tylerknottgregson @tylerknottgregson ♬ original sound - Tyler Knott Gregson

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I love you all. Be good.