New Zach Bryan Album

Cover of Lodi When
Lodi WhenYoung Manhood and Other Donatable Organs

New album dropped in the middle of closing on and moving into our new house. That was a few weeks ago, but I’ve been listening to it constantly the last few week.

This song is my favorite off the album and is a reflection of life – posing the question: If you were going to write a story of your life, what would you write about?

Hoping that this song can be a nostalgic reminder of getting our first house for years to come.

The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing

Marcus Aurelius
4.61out of 5

If somebody else trained the way you train, would you fear them? If someone else prepared the way you prepare, would you respect them? Why would life reward and effort you don't admire in someone else.

A sobering way of thinking to cut through one’s own spotlight effect and see your output for what it is.

4.68out of 5

Our first house!

Super cool day today because Abby & I closed on our very first house in Grand Rapids!

Really excited to make this space our own.

4.92out of 5

Jalapeno Ranch

Ingredients

  • 1 Jalapeño (seeds removed)
  • 1 & 3/4 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
  • 2 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt & pepper to taste

Method

  1. Blend together (in blender or food processor)
  2. Put in fridge to firm before serving

2 servings15m

This is one we’ve made many times, but finally adding here so I don’t have to keep looking back for it!

4.55out of 5

The most personal is the most creative

Martin Scorcese

Something to be said about this — why it’s so easy to appreciate someone who is so clearly themselves and nothing else.

4.52out of 5

The Nihilist Penguin

Stumbled across this penguin today – apparently a story about a specific penguin from a 2007 documentary called Encounters From the End of The World that has been living rent free in my head.

In the documentary, this lone penguin decided not to go to the feeding grounds with the group he’s walking with or go back to the colony, instead he decides to just walk into the distance towards the mountains some 70km – as the narrator puts, “it walks towards a certain death, but why”.

And, while the real reason for it probably sad (disorientation or injury), I think it represents something that is a great reminder for how to live your life: you dreams and curiosity should not be discounted in comparison to a meaningless life of marching on. Even if you end up worse for it, the act of acting on your beliefs is a practice of living in and of itself.

First Spooky Season Movie of the season

Poster for The Dark and the Wicked
The Dark and the Wicked1h 35m

This movie was genuinely pretty scary – focused on sort of an evil spirit/religious oriented antagonist.

While it was scary and super entertaining (reason for the 3.77), the ending was just a ridiculous letdown for us and I think because of that it’s hard to give it a truly great score.

3.77out of 5

Anthony Bourdain Biopic

Poster for Tony
Tony1h 47m

Been waiting on this one to come out for a while, and it was pretty good! Basically just a coming-of-age story about Anthony bOurdain and what let him down his culinary path.

I think the film did a good job of placing you in his shoes and conveying the desperation and insecurity that he felt during that time.

4.07out of 5

Let it offend you that someone else could be handed your days and turn them into something greater

Seneca
4.89out of 5