Top Five — February 21st, 2020

What a week. People, getting to this Friday was a Herculean effort. So I applaud you all for making it this far.
I rounded up some of the more eye-opening work I ran across this week, from politics to composting, with one solicitation for West Texas recommendations nestled in there, too.

Top 5 for 2/21/2020

1. ‘The Great Google Revolt’ — NYT
   Four Google employees were fired in the midst of challenging their employer on new contracts and products that perpetuated nefarious, dystopian uses for their technology. The New York Times set out to capture their story, and the story of an internet giant compromising its culture and tech.
   

2. We’ll be heading out to West Texas next month and are soliciting your favorite things in both Marfa and Fort Davis. Got a favorite trail? Restaurant? Watering hole? Let me know below. 👇

3. ‘33 Restaurants to Eat at In Houston’s Chinatown’ — Houston Chronicle
   Misinformation regarding the coronavirus has put enormous strain on Houston’s Chinatown restaurants — so here is a guide to going out and supporting the city’s food community while filling your belly accordingly.
   

4. ‘A Banana Peel, a Diaper, and a Plastic Bag Walk Into Austin’s Composting Program’ — Austin Chronicle
   The dirty hippie in me rejoiced when the City of Austin launched their composting pilot program in our east campus neighborhood in 2013. Now that the program has extended to the entire city, the Austin Chronicle takes a deeper look into the success — and challenges — that face a city-wide scale for composting.
   

5. Voting in Super Tuesday? Here’s Everything You Need to Know — Texas Tribune
   If you’re voting this Super Tuesday (or early, through 2/28!), I implore you to give this comprehensive guide, compiled by The Texas Tribune, a whirl. Find out what’s on your ballot, check our candidate, and get prepared to make your voice heard!

Have a great weekend, y’all — and go vote!

Image property of TPWD.

Top Five — January 31st, 2020

Rob Gordon is a very unpleasant character. However, he is the type of Type-A sycophant who indelibly leaves a mark. For some, it is in musical stylings or newly formed crushes on Lisa Bonet.

For myself, Gordon’s impression created a lingering attachment to life in list format. All-time best meals, pop songs to dance to (alternatively, to cry to), metro systems, etc. The list is endless and most importantly, fun.

So, in this our new year, I am committing to a weekly list. Yes, it’s the last day of January. No, I don’t know where the rest of the month went or why I didn’t write anything earlier. Yes, this list is aimless and without rules — it’s anarchy contained by <li> tags! But the singular quantifier for this list is that it has to reflect the week. Not in any kind of chronological order, but to consider these a small portrait of the last couple days.

Top Five for 1/31/2020

1. 'I Moved Off-Grid With an Emotionally Stunted Older Man!’ — Ask Polly
   It is embarrassing to be human — despite your best efforts, you will find yourself incapable, longing, messy, selfish, and perhaps even pathetic. This is a reminder that your human state is acceptable, in all its discomfiting glory.
   

2. Furikake Chex Mix
   I plan to make and then devour this for that Big Sports Sunday.
   

3. ‘Paradise’ — Hot Chip
   ”You’re washed up / and you hate it. You’ve lied / you’re berated. You’re despised, contaminated.” See no. 1 and double back for synth-effects.
   

4. ‘The Pitfalls and Potential of New Minimalism’ — The New Yorker
   New minimalism is both a mindset and a trapping of capitalist maximalism, with pine end tables and white waffled bedspreads. A worthy read that digs into the facets of a simplified lifestyle set in the confines of consumer culture — what is authentic and what is aesthetic?
   

5. ‘Physical’ — Dua Lipa
   Dance your way into the weekend.
   

See y’all next week.