LIFESTYLE Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 6
Nick’s LIFESTYLE Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 6
THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION
Hello again everyone. It's been a few weeks. Weeks of wondering why I create dumb campaign games based on a railway game I clearly suck at. Weeks of getting a new furnace because owning a home is not always a wonderful idea. Weeks of getting INJECTED WITH SCIENCE to avoid getting sick before or during the big vacation. Weeks of enjoying the crap out of the new Ginger Root album. Might be my album of the year so far. Time to clear the docket before vacation and get this old man ramble out of the way.
I spent about 90 minutes making a playlist of every song from the TV show Freaks and Geeks. It’s epic in that 70’s rock way. I want to rewatch that show but also don’t in case it doesn’t hold up.
Last chance to sign up for the DISPATCHES FROM JAPAN, just email me if you want even more emails from me. ¯\(ツ)/¯
Work has issued a RETURN TO WORK 2x a week mandate. We’ll see how that turns out for them…
Listened to this incredible episode of Search Engine - Can I micro dose veganism? One of the more interesting things it forced me to ponder is in a story about this town in Alabama that was a large turkey producing town. They had an annual turkey celebration where, as part of it, they threw 10 turkeys out of a plane to see if they flew. EVERY YEAR. Of course, this sounds barbaric and terrible to me. Eventually PETA and everyone got them to stop the practice. The question is - Why do you care so much about these 10 birds thrown out of a plane when MILLIONS are killed in those sheds and factories over there? GOOD POINT. Interesting episode for other reasons too (like the LIES ABOUT ORGANIC/FREE RANGE MEAT), especially if you struggle with eating meat like I do.
In case you haven’t heard, I’ve been reading about this a lot in the past few years. ‘Life and Death’ for Pets: Elizabeth Warren Targets Firm Buying Veterinary Offices. PE just makes everything
better. It’s not just PE, Mars & Purina have been buying up vet offices over the past five years too. THANK YOU ELIZABETH WARREN I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER.COMMENT 1,024 ABOUT AI. Not the worst use of AI, for now. My dead father is “writing” me notes again
I had a moment of HOLY SHIT reading this. I have aphantasia: my mind's eye is permanently closed. Much like the author, I never knew people ACTUALLY SAW THINGS when they pictured them. MIND BLOWN. Ya’ll some weird fuckers being able to picture things in your mind.
This was one of the most beautiful essays I’ve read in years, especially in light of the past few years. The Trouble with Friends.
ITEM THE FIRST:
MY OWN TABLET FROM MOUNT SINAI: As everyone knows, I agree with noted PhD from Columbia University, Egon Spengler, that PRINT IS DEAD. My rant about the barbarism of killing a tree, pulping it, printing on it and carrying around like a trophy has given me a rep with my friends.
Years ago I got a Kobo Libra 2 to read with (because fuck Amazon). As an eInk device, it was great for those occasions reading fiction, but any book I wanted to highlight or markup was frustrating due to the slowness of eInk. It’s wonderful, but I thought I might be able to do better. A eInk device that would let me highlight, write and read everything. Books, manga, magazines. EVERYTHING.
I went down the rabbit hole of researching different eInk companies, displays, etc. and finally found my white whale. The device that could do it all (except display color), the ONYX BOOX TAB X. This thing is a BEAST.
It has Android on it, which is very weird and different than iOS. That’s been an adjustment, but the built in ePub and PDF reading app are great and really customizable. I was able to download some other reading apps that I use on iOS like my read it later app, Omnivore, and some apps similar to what I use on iOS for reading comics and manga.
It is still eInk, but FAST eInk. Sub-20ms lag when I’m writing on it and 4 different refresh modes to balance quality vs. image ghosting. It has been super versatile in the things I use it for. Did I mention how big it is? It’s like the size of a Rolling Stone magazine from when I was a kid.
So, did I spend entirely too much on a dumb big tablet to read on? YES I DID. Have I enjoyed several books on it and been able to write, highlight and export those notes with ease? YES I DID. If you’re in the market for something like this (and I know, you are not), I recommend it. Just buy it off eBay and save 50%…
ITEM THE SECOND:
LOSING TWO GALLONS OF WATER: Inspired by a FRIEND OF THE LIFESTYLE who was supposed to be doing yoga, at the start of the year, I started doing more yoga. Then I started running again. Then I started eating a bit better. Around June, I wasn’t getting the results I wanted, so I decided that I needed to tighten things up. My pants were still not fitting me right, I had like 3 dress shirts that fit and I wasn’t feeling great. QUEUE EXTREME MAKE OVER.
I knew I wanted to lift weights, since it is the only exercise thing I don’t hate so I checked out YouTube and found some people who had a bunch of workouts that were really good and decided to really commit. SHOUT OUT TO JUICE AND TOYA! To really give fitness 100% dedication and see what I could accomplish. To put my all into it and see what 45 year old me is capable of. To see if I could be proud of me again.
Well, the results are in and I’m down almost 15 pounds since I’ve started. I’ve lost a bunch of fat and put on a bunch of muscle. Muscle in places I DIDN’T KNOW HAD MUSCLES.
Has it been fun? No. I’m eating a really strict diet tied to hitting specific macros. It’s been a lot of work (and willpower) sticking to it. I’ve been going for 2-3 hour bike rides at least weekly. Running other days. Weightlifting 3x a week. It’s been a huge commitment, but I honestly didn’t think I was capable of this type of transformation.
At the start of the month, I got a DEXA scan, which is a whole body scan where they break your body into sections and it tells you the composition of skin, fat, muscle and bone density. Pretty cool stuff. I learned where all my fat is stored (my TRUNK), how much visceral fat I have, how comically more strong and lean my right arm and leg are than my left (from drumming) and how my bone density is not great. I only wish I did this when I started the journey and it will be good to see where I am in six months.
In summary, all the bullshit motivational things won’t get most people to change, but if you read this newsletter and are an old, dying sad dad, you can change if you want to. Not just in fitness but almost anything.
As a treat, I bought myself the parts to replicate Axl Rose’s outfit at the Freddy Mercury Tribute Show, which required 3 inch shorts and a thong. Like every 45 year old does. Rob Halford, I’m coming for you next!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (please mark "ok to print"):
Got a great response to my ask for top picks in a weird thing you are an expert in. I present:
Top 5 Chili Crisp
Chili crisp is so hot right now. Great on rice, eggs, pizza, whatever. There are a ton I haven't tried. These are my favorites.
Laoganma Spicy Chili Crisp (the OG; super savory and aromatic)
Chengdu Crunch (a cousin of chili crisp; super crunchy, umami, and kinda funky)
Momofuku Chili Crunch (savory, a bit spicy, nice golden oil)
Somos Mexican Chili Crisp: Nuts & Seeds (similar to the classic, spicy and crunchy, but the nuts and seeds give a different type of savory)
Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion (nice oil and texture but less spicy)
Thanks for sharing! I’ll be on the lookout for the Laoganma when I’m visiting asian markets and maybe settle for the TJ one since I’m about 3 miles from one.
FAVORITE THING TO GO IN MY EARHOLES THIS WEEK:
One of the best concerts I have ever been to, was Tuxedo at the Cedar Cultural Center in 2019. I dragged Melonie along, and I think even she had fun. I’ve talked about Tuxedo in the past here, so I won’t recap everything, but they just dropped the first single from their new album and I don’t think I’ve hit a preorder link so quickly on anything. Well, maybe the new Cure album coming in November.
“Back 4 More” just drips of the classic Tuxedo sound with funky bass and a catchy keyboard line (which is similar to the classic funk song Forget Me Nots). Perfect ending the summer vibe song. I hope they go on tour and come here again and we can all dance together at the show.
THIS IS THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER
GETTING READY TO REALIZE A DREAM.
I ALREADY DREAD COMING BACK.
THAT IS ALL.