May 23, 2023 - Cords, Backpacks, Caps & Gowns, Fans
Quick note: Thank you so much for being part of the launch of Boo’s N.E.W.S.. Your comments and feedback have been wonderful. If you enjoy what you are reading, please send it to your friends!
Nuggets of Information: Wrap It Up!
When it comes to storing extension cords, I must admit I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about my form or technique. I tend to be either a “coil it up and hope the loops are roughly the same size” guy, or if I want to feel like a senior roadie for a hair metal band, a “wrap around my wrist and elbow” guy. In this video by AC Designs Garage Adrian shows how to create a series of loops that both make it impossible to tangle it and allows you to pull just the amount you need without unwrapping the whole thing.
Enrichment: My Life in a Backpack
Recently we traveled out of the country for Spring Break. While on the trip, I read My Life in a Backpack by Chris Harbour - an inspiring and exhilarating journey across the globe. I’ve been a fan of Chris’s since we were at Whole World Theatre together - just before he embarked on his journey to explore Asia and pen this book. Chris's vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling had me hooked from the first page, eagerly anticipating his next adventure. What struck me most was Chris's fearlessness and sense of adventure, as he embraced the unknown and pushed himself out of his comfort zone. His ability to connect with people from different cultures and form deep friendships was heartwarming and led me to focus more closely on how I interact with new people. While I love meeting new people, Chris takes it to a whole other level. Throughout his travels, he will go to unfamiliar areas, completely alone, meet new people, spend the day with them, and then come away with new friends who he will connect with on future travels. We all need to do more of that. I recommend “My Life in a Backpack” as a must-read for travel and adventure enthusiasts. It will leave you feeling inspired, embolden you to meet new people, and make you want to explore the world.
Workshop: Graduation
Over the last week I’ve been working on various elements of our daughter Samantha’s High School graduation. The most effort was around her graduation party, which we co-hosted with our dear friends Danielle and Allyn. Their daughter Mallory has been friends with Samantha since they were little – easy to build out those photo collage boards for sure! We had been planning the party for months – for this past Saturday at 4:00 – but the weather just kept looking worse and worse. On Friday we were close to postponing it until June or July, but then decided to move it earlier in the day to start at noon, hoping to get ahead of the rain. That left us less than 24 hours to do everything. And we did. Picking up decorations, rearranging our entire yard, setting up our deck to serve as a stage for our friends who play music, picking up sandwiches from Henri’s and Lee’s Bakery, cooking four pork butts, assembling photo walls and other picture areas, making various signs – we did a lot of work in a short time. Luckily the Reids are cool under pressure, and between our two families we got it all done.
The party started at noon, and other than a five-minute sprinkling, the weather was great. So many good friends, wonderful food, live music (including Samantha playing a few songs). It was a great party. Mallory and Samantha were totally in their element. They spent time with their friends, but also interacted with all of us older folks.
The original plan was for them to have a teens-only party after the main party ended. Since we pushed the main party back to noon, we strongly suggested they have their kids party at 4:00 – and go until the rain stopped them. They had other plans – to start the party at 9:00pm as originally planned. At 9:00 kids started showing up, and so did the rain. Heavy rain. The Reids and Booher parents sat in our living room while the kids rearranged tents and furniture to maximize covered party space. Party #2 was officially dubbed the “Poncho Party.” At 11:00, as agreed upon in our lengthy contract negotiations, the party ended. Ubers pulled up; kids departed. A good day indeed. On Sunday, we went to four other graduation parties, and I played golf. LOOOONG weekend!
The parties were certainly the most physical work of the graduation week, but the most emotional moment for me happened Thursday afternoon. Samantha’s school does something called the “Blue & Gold Envelopes” where family and friends can send in letters or cards to kids who are graduating, and they open them during graduation rehearsal. I had originally typed my letter to Samantha, and then Thursday hand-wrote it out. I won’t share what I wrote here – it is between me and Samantha – but the general spirit is that she shared so much with us over the last 18 years – from first steps to Daddy Daughter Dances to Dead shows to playing music – and now it is time to go share all she is with the world. I teared up while writing it and continue to be emotional. Back in 2014, I read this article by actor Rob Lowe about his son going off to college. It stuck with me, and the emotions he conveys as a parent have manifested inside me as we get closer to dropping Samantha off at college in a couple months. I encourage you to read it. Is someone chopping onions nearby? I’m not crying – you're crying!
Selected Content: Conan Must Go
I’m a big Conan O’Brien fan. Every morning I walk for an hour, and I listen to his podcasts “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” where he interviews celebrities, and “Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan” where he interviews fans of his – many located around the world. He just released a trailer for his new show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” on Max (HBO’s newly re-branded streaming platform), where he travels around the world meeting fans he had interviewed on his Needs a Fan podcast. If you have seen his “Conan Without Borders” episodes on YouTube, you may have a sense for what to expect with this new offering. I can’t wait for it to air.