Friday Faves 8/28: Perry Mason, Chasing Scratch, The Killers, Porters, and Grilled Pineapple

Best Watch

Perry Mason - The old is new again. This HBO show is a remake, rethinking of the old show. Based in 1932 Los Angeles, the show follows Perry Mason, a down and out private investigator, who is trying to find the truth following the abduction and murder of a baby. The show grows into itself over the course of the season; it starts slow but the acting and storyline both improve with each show.

Ted Lasso - In the span of 24 hours, this show was recommended to us by two people. It’s Major League meets Bend it Like Beckham. Ted Lasso is a college football coach who is hired by AFC Richmond to coach a Premier League soccer team. He’s hired for one reason, to destroy the club. Why? Because the owner wants revenge on her ex-husband who cheated on her for years, and the club is the only thing he loves. Lasso is an "“aw shucks” American who slowly weasels his way into everyone’s hearts with his kindness and bad jokes. It’s on Apple TV+, and it’ll make you laugh and rethink how you react to bad news and bad breaks.

Best Read

Donald Trump Jr. is read. But for What Exactly? - This is a worthwhile read about a Don Jr. I think he’s a horrible person, so this is not an endorsement of the guy. When he was 12, Don Jr. went an entire year giving his dad the cold shoulder, he didn’t mutter a word in his direction (I wish others would follow that idea….). Don’t want to read it? The Daily does a companion episode on it’s podcast.

To Kill A Mockingbird - I’m rereading this book with my tutee. We started it this week, and I forgot how good it is. Harper Lee packs every page with meaning, it’s timely given the current issues going on in 2020.

Best Listen

Chasing Scratch - This is my new favorite podcast, it’s a delight. The podcast is about two guys trying to become scratch golfers, the problem is they’re 11 handicaps. That basically means they need to improve their average score by 11 shots, which is very difficult. While the podcast is heavy on golf talk, it’s really about two great friends. The episodes are well organized and produced. They bounce back and forth from present to past, splicing in audio from the golf course, old phone calls after their rounds. Mike and Eli live in North Carolina and Kentucky, so they don’t get to play with each other unless they’re on a golf trip. The side-effect of the two guys chasing scratch is they also improve their health. They start doing yoga and dieting. One of the guys used to drink 30 sodas a week, including a large coke with his McDonald’s breakfast. It’s an interesting study in accountability and setting a goal with someone else and keeping at it, even through the low-points (like shooting scores in the 90s when you’re trying to shoot 72).

Imploding the Mirage by The Killers - This is a very good new album, it’s a bit like “Hot Fuss” and “Sam’s Town” had a music baby. My friend Scott said it was also inspired by the band War on Drugs, and after he said it, it was pretty clear. The songs are atmospheric and a synthy. Brandon Flowers might leave you wishing for some better lyrics, but the music is good. Give it a listen this weekend.

Best Eat

Trader Joe’s Peppered Turkey Bacon - Just a delicious, less-guilty version of bacon. It’s exactly what we love about Trader Joe’s, an affordable treat. I made a couple Bacon, Tomato, Avocado sandwiches this week with it (shoutout Dave’s Killer Bread).

Grilled Pineapple - We had a full pineapple in the house for a photo-op (seriously). So I cut it up last night and rubbed maple syrup and salt on it and tossed it on the grill. The key is letting a cook (is cook the right word?) for a little longer than you think. Give it 20-25 minutes. I wish we had ice cream to go with it, coconut maybe?

Best Drink

Space and Time by Treehouse - Treehouse is known for it’s beefy IPAs, but their porters and stouts are really freaking good. Admittedly, this doesn’t feel like it’s porter season, but the right versions are very much like an iced coffee. We have a few different porters in the fridge from a Treehouse run in May, I’m doing Sober September* so I thought it might be time to drink some tempting beers. Remember if you visit Treehouse to leave some space in the cooler for their stouts (after all, Pumpkin beers are raiding our liquor stores, so it’s basically fall).

*Sober September will be ignored on September 18 and 25. If you know, you know.