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THEY BOTH LIKE GOING BATTY.
Happy Islamic New Year! Also, happy National Potato Day, World Humanitarian Day, and National Aviation Day!
I don't know how you plan to celebrate all those events, but I definitely plan on drowning myself in a variety of potato dishes later this evening.
Before we get to the links, though, some birthday wishes are in order!
• First up, feliz cumpleaños to baseball legend Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker, born this day in 1934! Mr. Clemente wasn't nearly as heralded during his playing days as he should have been due to playing in the smaller Pittsburgh market, but his outfield exploits were impressive enough to make him the first Latin American player enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Beyond his on-field abilities, though, he was also heavily involved in charity work during the off-seasons, delivering baseball equipment, supplies, and food to those in need in Latin American and Caribbean countries. He actually died in a plane crash in 1972 at the age of 38 while trying to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The very next year, Major League Baseball began awarding the Roberto Clemente Award to the player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team."
• Next, happy birthday to actor Patrick Wayne Swayze, born this day in 1952! For a period of time — roughly 1983, when he starred as "Darry" in the film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, through 1991's Point Break (still to this day one of my dad's favorite films, and yes, that dad joke of a subject line was definitely inspired by him) — the world was legitimately "crazy for Swayze." He still had a robust career throughout the 90s and 2000s before his untimely death from cancer at the age of 57. Bigby, our cat, keeps the flame lit, though — his favorite movie of all-time is Road House.
OK, link time!
1. Aquascaping is the cool hobby I never knew existed that I now desperately want to take up.
The Green Machine isn't the only company that specializes in aquascaping, but wow, do they get bonus points for presentation! H/t to BoredPanda (no affiliation with Boredwalk) and Reddit user /u/isaac_horstmeier for clueing me in!
2. Matty Benedetto makes unnecessary inventions that are somehow very necessary...for making me laugh.
I first became familiar with Matty's absurdist "products" after he started posting them on Reddit a year ago, but even during the pandemic he's been cranking out hilariously useless stuff that's very of-the-moment, including Streaming Roulette Dice™ (for when you can't decide what to watch next), the Drink O'Clock™ (to help you determine when to switch from coffee to alcohol and vice versa), and The Sourdough Satchel™ (for when you want to take your bread baby out for a socially distanced stroll, I guess).
Honestly, I feel like there is beauty everywhere in nature, but some of the photography here could use some work. Judge the humans behind the photos instead!
4. Mimi Choi's Instagram is where makeup and surrealist art go hand in hand!
Salvador Dalí famously stated "I don't do drugs — I am drugs", and based on Mimi's work I feel confident that she is operating on a similar level to ol' Sal.
*Yes, I know that mice is the plural form of mouse, but I can't resist an obvious rhyming opportunity when it presents itself like that.
PSA: bats are friends, not food. Eating them is what got us all into this Covid mess in the first place.
Boredwalk Community: Nashville is Metal as F**k
1. What's your actual day job and what's your dream day job?
In real life, I’m a Licensed Customs Broker. I just last week got a new job! Basically we are the people that ensure that the rules and regulations are followed for large commercial shipments coming into the US.
My dream job is to run a dog rescue. If I could somehow incorporate that into helping women feel empowered, that’s what I’d do!
2. What keeps you up at night?
Currently what keeps me up at night is Donald J. Trump. (Ed. note: Same.)
3. What's a book you think the Boredwalk community should read?
I’d recommend Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer AND Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Totally different books, but both stuck with me.
4. What's the most useful piece of advice you've ever received?
Stop. Collaborate. And listen. (At least you're not going around cooking MC's like a pound of bacon. Ewww.)
5. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
It’s totally a super power to have self confidence so I’d pick that ALL DAY.
I left my last job due to what I considered to be sexist behaviors and a company culture that definitely rewarded men for things that women had actually done. The day I left that job, I wore this shirt. It made me feel strong and proud, and most importantly, at peace with my decision to leave a job after 15 years.
The next day, I went to pick up my things from the office and wore my Feminist is my 2nd-Favorite F-Word shirt. It is literally like putting on a cape! (Aww! You're making us blush.)
6. What experience do you most want to cross off your bucket list?
Enjoying traveling.
7. Clear up a misconception (about your job, where you are from, some other topic you know a lot about).
Nashville is Metal as f**k. Don’t be fooled by all those sequined cowboy boots and bridal showers.
8. Where can the rest of the Boredwalk community find you?
I can be found on Instagram @celiesblues and on Facebook here.
MI NOMBRE ES MATT
Happy Wednesday! Are you ready for the first day of the rest of your week? You'd better be, because it's here!
I'm excited, because here at Boredwalk HQ we're the proud mamas & papas of a brand new lint scrubber! Truly, it is a California dream...mostly because of our geographic location, but also because we finally have a solution to the ever-present lint problem in our office. But enough about our fuzz-covered fixtures — you're here for some links!
First, though, I have a question to ask: are you ready for the country? I hope so, because today is the birthday of not one, but TWO honky tonk heroes!
• First up, cut a slice of cake for Mr. Grand Ole Opry himself, Porter Wagoner, born this day in 1927! Mr. Wagoner was a prolific television host and recording artist, charting 81 times between 1954 and 1983 and taping 686 episodes of The Porter Wagoner Show from 1960-1981. He also helped introduce a little-known Nashville songwriter to a much wider audience when he invited Dolly Parton to replace Norma Jean as his regular duet partner on the show. Hey, Porter — thanks!
• Next, sling a slice across the table to the father of "the Bakersfield sound", Alvis Edgar "Buck" Owens, Jr., born this day in 1929! He and his band The Buckaroos scored 21 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Music charts, and he also co-hosted the hit CBS variety show Hee Haw with Roy Clark.
• Finally, happy birthday to Social Security, which was born on this day in 1935 when then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Bill into law! Social Security is sort of an omnibus designation that covers multiple benefits. The biggest is the OASI benefit (Old-Age & Survivors Insurance), followed by Disability Insurance, Medicare Part A, and Medicare Parts B & D. Chances are if you're living and breathing in the United States in 2020, you or someone you know is currently paying to or benefiting from a Social Security program. Cherish it!
OK, link time!
As an artist, I hate artist statements, so I'm not going to try and speak for another one. Just click the link and enjoy!
It's pretty hilarious.
3. Caesar the therapy llama is here to save us all from ourselves and 2020.
I don't know why I only now am learning about an emotional support llama frequenting protests, but this is awesome!
4. Please, Hammer, don't infect 'em!
This Alabama school principal is doing his level best to stop the spread with his MC Hammer Covid-19 parody. I know the Wednesday email is usually a Covid-free space, but this was pretty freakin' cute.
5. These light box memes from legendary Austin Tex-Mex restaurant El Arroyo never get old.
Plus, they're open for curbside pickup — sweet!