Friday Faves 11/8: French Onion Mac and Cheese, Derry Girls, Scary Pods, and Cover Songs

Best Activity

Seeing Friends: For the first time since June, I returned to the school where I used to work. I had promised myself I’d go to watch the boys soccer team play before the season ended. I spent an hour or so before the game wandering the halls and saying hello to everyone. It was great, and it gave me a sense of why I left, but also why I miss it. There’s no replacing the energy of a school. 400+ people buzzing around before 8:00am, ready to seize the day (or just survive it…). It turned out there were four home games that day, so there was a bunch of activity on the fields, which was great. It was one of those picturesque days that admissions directors dream of putting in a brochure. Low fall sun, packed sidelines, competition, smiling faces.

Part of the reason I walked away from teaching, or at least being in a school, was my role as Dean of Students. I have told people that being a Dean of Students has the same life span as an NFL running back. You get beat up for 3-5 years and look for something else to do (and the ones that do it longer should be in a Hall of Fame someone). When I started working with kids at summer camp in high school, it just came naturally. I got along with kids (maybe it was the match in maturity-level…). When I started teaching, I felt the same way. Once I became Dean of Students, I transformed into the Grimm Reaper, I was asked more times than I’d like to admit, “Am I in trouble?” It sapped my energy, I couldn’t just talk to a kid about last night’s NBA games or the Patriots win or their essay. There was a constant static between me and the kids. That’s no one’s fault, it’s just how it was.

I was glad to return without the static. I was also glad to return and see the plethora of really great colleagues I had over the years. It’s the thing that everyone misses the most when they leave. I don’t think there are many places with such a close-knit, positive, fun group of teachers. It definitely filled my bucket getting back and seeing them on Wednesday.

Going back was fun, and it gave be a sense of what I missed and didn’t miss about being in a school environment. My new existence is a much quieter one. There’s more time to think, less reacting and putting out fires. I have to work a lot harder to get my 10,000 steps in without a going for a run. I have to work a lot harder to get that human contact. Maybe that’s part of the reason I like starting my day in a coffee shop, it feels the same as a hallway in the morning. The promise of the day bubbling up in everyone, the coming and going. The excitement.

On top of that, last Saturday, we had our annual “Friendsgiving” which started when we all found women that were organized enough to organize us. It is so hard to get a bunch of us together, and this afternoon is one of only a few where the majority of us can hang out. I miss the days when we could walk down the hall (or even just hop on the T) to hang out for a day or weekend. We do a potluck and all catch up with one another. I believe there are “High School people” or “College people” when it comes to friends we keep. I am, for the most part, a college person. My high school friends scattered and I’ve found that even after my Holy Cross group has scatted, we have stayed in touch through email chains and gatherings like this one.

Best Read

Dopamine Fasting (NYTimes): The world is full of stimuli. Just like with a drug, our body craves more dopamine over time. Our bodies become unimpressed with the dopamine hit a 10 likes on instagram gives us, so we chase 20 likes. There are \some guys in Silicon Valley who have started dopamine fasting, making an effort to limit stimuli for a day. They think this lack of stimuli resets (or at least helps) how their body reacts to dopamine. This helps them appreciate the little things again. No screen time, no human contact, no music. Nothing that might spike those dopamine levels. While it’s kinda whacky, I think it’s also interesting.

Best Listen

Knifepoint Horror: This narrative podcast will give you the creeps, so if you like that kind of thing, give this podcast a listen. The most recent episode called, “Three for Halloween” starts with a creepy tale that’s about 8 minutes long. If you like it, keep listening. If not, at least you tried.

Fake Plastic Trees by Tramples by Turtles: This Radiohead cover came across my Spotify discover playlist. Trampled by Turtles is a great band, and this cover is excellent.

Best Watch

Derry Girls: I’m not sure how this show hasn’t been on Friday Faves before. It’s an Irish comedy set in 1990s Derry (or Londonderry, depending on what side you’re on…). The show follows a group of teenagers who continuously find themselves in trouble with school, their parents, and various religious leaders. It has an incredible sound track taps into the great Irish music of the time, particularly Ace of Base and The Cranberries. I’d recommend watching it with subtitles… it’s tough to follow sometimes between the speed they speak and the slang.

Chelsea v. Ajax: This game was incredible. I found myself standing in my living room for the last 25 minutes as Ajax held on for dear life with 9 men against Chelsea’s 11 men in London.

Best Eat

French Onion Mac and Cheese: This NYTimes food recipe was our contribution to “Friendsgiving.” This is a baked mac and cheese, however, the recipe adds onions and the classic French Onion gruyere cheese along with slices of bread on top, just like the soup. It was delicious. Buy the cheese grated, it makes life a lot easier.

Best Drink

Nuun: I’m running a marathon on Sunday, so I’ve been trying to drink as much water as possible. Last year, we discovered Nuun tablets, which turn water into a flavorful beverage packed with even more nutrients. They have a ton of flavors and they also have a different purposes. You can purchase ones with caffeine or ones that offer more vitamins. They are low (or zero) calories and aren’t gross and sugary. They’re perfect in that first glass of water in the morning or if you’re looking for a little pick me up in the afternoon but can’t bear to walk into a holiday adorned Starbucks for a cup of coffee. They come in a great little case that you can stick in a bag and bring with you!

Best Plugs (my stuff from the week)

It’s too early for Holiday decorations, right?: I wrote this post early this week, and on Thursday when I walked into Starbucks I felt validated AF. It was like the place was visited by elves. The typically black menus were replaced with bright red ones, advertising peppermint mocha and and gingerbread lattes. The bakery case had a gingerbread load; I guess the pumpkin loaf had to skip town. Strands of lights lined the menus and I had to drink my coffee from a holiday cup. This all came after I left my wife on the couch watching a Hallmark Christmas movie to start her day.

Soccer Podcasts: Both and I spoke for about 90 minutes this week about soccer. I broke it into two different podcasts. First, a 30 minute podcast that covers the current events in English soccer. Second, Both and I did some research on Wolverhampton Wanderers and reported back our findings. I looked at the long history of the club and Both dove into the club’s present day management and how they have turned into a solid, effective English club that’s found it’s way back into European football. This was a blast to record and we’re planning on doing a bunch more of these so we can learn about various clubs in England.

Digital Time Capsule: The Random Division is back with Season 2! Tiff and I will be releasing an episode every Friday between now and January breaking down the world of pop-culture over the past decade. In the first episode we talk about TV and rank our five favorite shows of the decade. Please subscribe or follow on your podcast apps.

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