Friday Faves 7/17: Unsolved Mysteries, Sufjan Stevens, Sapiens, Short Rib Grilled Cheese, Lemonade, and Golf

As places in and around Boston slowly reopen for business, there is a sense of anxiety that I tend to feel when venturing to a new place. It’s the same feeling I have when in a foreign country when I try to be extra respectful while navigating new customs and rules.

Right now, every street, neighborhood, and business feels like a trip to a foreign country. The masks on people’s faces act like the language barrier I would feel in a city like Barcelona or Paris. The masks make it tough to communicate or read facial signals, and with the added complication of being trapped inside for months, the social graces that we naturally feel have been slightly lost, too. Trips outside for everyone are fraught with a tinge of fear. We have to keep our distance, but also need to communicate with each other because we’re experiencing new things constantly and the way we learn how the rules is by either reading a sign or asking a question.

I try to remind myself when I am out in public that the core expectations still apply. Be kind and be aware. Patience is a virtue and a mask is required.

Best Watch

Unsolved Mysteries - The old show is enjoying a rebirth. The theme song still crawls into my bones and gives me the chills. The stories are unbelievable with their twists and turns. The biggest differences between the old school version and Netflix’s 2020 editions are there is no host and one episode covers one story instead of a two or three. The beauty of the show is you can pick and choose which ones you want to watch. I’d recommend the “House of Terror” episode (if you don’t mind reading subtitles) or mystery on the rooftop.

Best Listen

Stadio Sessions - The Stadio podcast is excellent, and their interest in music and soccer blend in their 2 hour music sessions they post on mxlr. I listened to the Soul/Disco session this week, and I look forward to enjoying the other sessions. Good music for work from home life. Here’s the link.

Sufjan Stevens “Carrie and Lowell” - Sufjan Stevens is mellow. His music is a bit quirky, but always has a place in the world of background tunes. His lyrics, when you stop and listen to them are intense, but with a bit of humor sprinkled in. This particular album is about five years old. He has an exceptional Christmas Album (please wait until at least September 1st to play that one…) and “Illinois” was the first album in a failed attempt to write one album about each state.

Best Read

Sapiens - This book is outstanding, particularly the first 250 pages when author Yuval Noah Harari dives into the deep history of humankind and discusses the agricultural and scientific revolutions. You’ll pick it up and think it’s going to be the most dense read you’ve ever had, but the writing is simple and digestible and will make you smarter.

Best Eat

Short Rib Grilled Cheese - Just typing those words makes me feel like I need to go for a run. After my 9-holes of golf this Sunday, Tiff and I had lunch with my mom. It was the first true post-golf meal I had eaten. With every clubhouse closed, the 19th hole is a thing of the past, for now. Our lunch was at a little spot in Acton called Rapscallion. It’s a brewpub, they make good beer and their food is solid. This grilled cheese was delightful. It was stuffed with meat and cheese, but instead had the perfect mix. The sourdough bread was also thin and crispy, cooked perfectly. Even with a side salad, this heavy lunch knocked me out when we arrived home on Sunday and I needed a nap. The sign of good eating.

Best Drink

Lemonade - It’s been so damn hot in Boston for a solid two weeks. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with my body, but a few times this week it’s just craved sugar and lemonade was the solution. No booze, no nothing. Just straight lemonade. It’s so refreshing and, yes I know water is really the only thing we should drink when it’s 90 degrees out, I just couldn’t resist sweet, sweet lemonade with it’s hint of tang.

Best Plugs

Golf in Mass - I played two courses last week - Ponkapoag Course 2 and Quail Ridge, and if you’re reading this on Friday, then I’m down in Plymouth playing 27 holes at The Crosswinds Golf Course (check in on IG to follow the round!).

Mailbag - I wrote a mailbag this week. It reached subscribers to the newsletter on Wednesday and I posted it here on Thursday morning. Sign-up for the newsletter!