whose octopus is this really, anyway?

Hey.

Unfortunately, in what appears to be the house speciality of 2020, the world looks even worse than it did last week.

In the USA, you’ve now seen 200K deaths and the passing of the notorious RBG. Here in Argentina, I’m getting ready to witness my first run on the banks. (Cue all the crying for all the Argentinas.)

But there are some bright lights, which I’ll number this week, for variety.

1. Subpar parks remains my #1 go-to when I need a hearty laugh. This is the instagram account that illustrates real, one-star reviews of national and international parks. Seen a few caves, seen em all, you know you what I mean? But dang, that lava…

Subpar Parks @subparparks

Just one of the longest cave systems in the world, with so much crazy texture (hello, boxwork!) it's basically impossible to capture in an illustration. And on top of that (literally), the largest mixed-grass prairie in the US. Same old, same old, @WindCaveNPS.⁠ #subparparks

Subpar Parks @subparparks

Listen. I know what you're thinking. "Amber, this review of @Volcanoes_NPS is definitely a joke." I assumed it was too. But after a deep dive on this reviewer's other reviews, I am convinced otherwise (but I am hoping they wanted to touch HARDENED lava). ⁠#subparparks

2. The an on-going trend of “flights to nowhere” is making headlines right now. In brief, you pay a lot of money, get on a plane to fly in the sky, stay at a hotel (or not), and come home. Not kidding.

3. The press release is dead. Use this instead.

4. This take on the new Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, is spot on. Haven’t watched the actual movie yet. Assume it will hit horrifyingly close to home, etc.

   Rachel Wenitsky @RachelWenitsky

   A former tech employee in a documentary about why social media is bad (social media is bad)

   

5. This new game show for investors looked like a terrible way to spend 31 minutes. But by minute 2, when a 55-year-old British white male had already declared himself “the Taylor Swift of Venture Capital investing” I was IN.

6. For those following the progress of Jefa, the women’s digital bank I invested in that beat out 1,995 companies to make it the TechCrunch Disrupt finals …Emma and her team didn’t win, per say (or at all, if we’re being specific), but they still rocked it! See the finals here.

7. Long cat, the actual living cat behind the internet meme, has died at the age of 18. (Sorry, I do realize I said this list would be bright lights only, but at this point in the year you should realize a lie when packaged as such.)

Finally, in reader news, I got some kind notes back from you all last week.

That’s because it turns out when you go out of your way to share something mean another reader said to you, it’s a proven best way to invite in compliments. If that’s not a mental health strategy, well then my psychiatrist doesn’t deserve me!

Like this one, for example:

“I for one ENJOY your writing style on these emails! I was considering whether or not to unsubscribe, and I don't have a business, and now have plans to just stay retired and not bother trying to start one. I've changed my mind after reading that ending kick. As long as you'll have me just lurking around, I'll stay and smile & laugh at your family's antics. We all NEED some levity this year!”

Lurk away, woman!

Additionally, another reader, the gloriously named “Annabe” told me to go watch My Octopus Teacher on Netflix. She did so without knowing that my all-time favorite trip was driving through South Africa (where it takes place) AND that my mother works in an aquarium. When I googled it this is the first review that popped up:

“So...this guy starts out by saying he couldn’t be a father to his own human son. So he spends his days obsessing over an octopus. How does he know it’s always the same octopus?”

As a volunteer marine-something-or-other in training, perhaps my mother can answer that one.

Over to you, Barb!

Claire