Tie 🗞️ Slow News Day #40

Hey,

Searching the charity shop shelves, I finally found it. A simple black tie, just what I needed for my Grandpa’s funeral. It had taken me a few different visits to find one.

I stood at the till, the volunteer worked his way into the seat behind the plastic screen as I waited.

“Just this one please,” I smiled.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he murmured.

I wasn’t totally sure I’d heard him right, so I blinked a polite and appreciative smile at him and stayed quiet.

“Who is it that’s passed away?”

No doubts, this time.

“My Grandpa.”

“Argh”, genuine sorrow written on his face, “your Grandpa. I’m so sorry.”

A beat.

“That’ll be £5 please.”

No bag needed, no receipt. Thanks and goodbye.

I stepped out of the Twilight Zone and marvelled at what had happened.

Who buys a plain black tie if not for a funeral? And, if you know that, why wouldn’t you ask and express your sympathy? And, once that's done, just crack on with the job at hand. Unreal.

The curtain was drawn back, the bullshit was blown aside, it was just a guy taking a chance on what he knew and stretching out across the haze of humanity to reach me.

It was also hilarious and I’m still laughing at it now.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’ll take a swig from my bottle of cold tea. It’s a lot nicer than it sounds. Let me explain…

Every night, I put four berry tea bags into a litre of water and let them steep overnight, with two tablespoons of lemon juice for flavour and a little extra boost. A boost of what, you ask? Hibiscus tea is higher in antioxidants than any other beverage! And in most of the supermarket-brand berry teas, the main ingredient is almost always hibiscus. 20 bags cost about 80p, meaning I pay 16p every day for an unbeatably healthy tonic.

In keeping with our usual programming, though, a shot of espresso ranks fourth best for antioxidant content and a brewed coffee is third best. It’s a free hit, if you ask me. Whatever you’re drinking, as long as it makes you feel good, I'm on your side.

And if you want to feel even better, listen to Angeles by Shannon Lay because, frankly, it’s beautiful. Elliot Smith knew how to write a brooding song and Shannon brings it to a new and special life with this cover. The melody is as sweet as ever, the guitar-playing is moving, and the piano notes in the final 30 seconds are like a fine fringing that make the whole piece shimmer.

Take it easy,