With the air still thick with the smoke from the Camp Fire, this feels particularly prescient. But more than the subject, the writing here is amazing and you need to read this for that alone. Case in point: talking about how she went to see A River Runs Through It for Brad Pitt, “But after the movie, it was Robert Redford’s narration that echoed in my head. The way he said ‘Montana’ felt more spiritual than the way our rabbi chanted the blessing ‘Shalom Rav.'” *swoon*. Check it out.

Speaking of the Camp Fire…. this article discusses that fire specifically, but applies to most of the major conflagrations lately – our fires last year had the same prescription, and anyone in SoCal knows the havoc the Santa Ana winds can bring. “I always like to say nothing good comes from an east wind in California,” the article quotes Neil Lareau, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno. Brother, werd.

Creepy AF. That’s the disclaimer I’m putting at the front of this. Here’s all I’m going to tell you: family buys their $1.3 million dream house, but before they even move in a simple envelope appears in the mailbox. “Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard,” it starts, “Allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood.” It goes on, “My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.” I’m going to leave this right here for you… Long read. Make sure the lights are on. Just saying…

Ready to feel old? Nirvana’s Unplugged show was 25 years ago this weekend.

*boom*

This is a great long read of what people involved in the show – from band members, to recording people, to fans in attendance – remember that make that specific performance so memorable.

Thanksgiving 2018 Preview: Mac The Cheese

This year I decided to do a practice run of a few Thanksgiving dishes, one of which is a new recipe for macaroni and cheese. It’s largely adapted from another recipe, but the addition of a chipotle pepper and bacon (BACON!) really elevate it. Highly recommended.

Curbed

Following 31 Ghosts, I’ve still got spirits on the brain, so here are a few ghost-related links for this week. First is the question of what happens when the house you’re buying turns out to be haunted? Like, legally speaking. Also: what states require homeowners to declare if a death occurred in the house (ooooOOOOooooh!) (spoiler: California is one of them).

NYTimes

From ghosts in real estate to ghosts in stories… Why do we find them fascinating still? This is a little high-brow. Me? I love the spookiness, the idea that there’s a world there we can’t see. And if I’m honest, the idea that our loved ones may be looking out for us.

Atlas Obscura

Okay, this one is ghost-adjacent – graves! Clyde Tombaugh, a self-taught astronomer, who discovered Pluto in 1930 is on – or at least has remains on – the spacecraft that has come closet to the planet he discovered out in the outer reaches of our solar system. I’m not sure why I find this so delightful, but it just seems like such a perfect tribute.

NYTimes

From the headline you might take a pass thinking this is a downer. Couldn’t be farther from the truth. I love Jerry Seinfeld and believe strongly he’s a national treasure. Mind you, I think “Seinfeld” the show is fine (amazing in its time, aged decently), “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” is pretty brilliant, but I’ll admit I only watch it sporadically even though I love cars, coffee, comedians, and, as mentioned, Jerry Seinfeld. Here’s why I think he’s a national treasure: he’s a deeply thoughtful comedian who really loves the history and the craft. I think of people like Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, George Carlin, even Jay Leno (who I don’t think is the funniest guy in the world, but he gets the craft (and he still does stand-up gigs across the country at places you’ve never heard of)) and I argue that Seinfeld is right up there. 

Merriam-Webster

Pick a year, any year (well, any year from the 12th century and now), and Merriam-Webster will show you the words that came out that year (or century as you start to go back a ways). Looking at the list of words for the year of my birth – which is a great place to start – I found a collection of “new words” that really define who I am came into being the year of my birth: “alternative music”, “Internet”, “GPS”. Am I reading too much into this? Yes, yes, I am because as much as those words seem so prophetic 40-years out, other words like “gonadotropin-releasing hormone“, “teletext“, and “pass-through entity” for the same year suggest I’m finding meaning in the arbitrary. 

One hundred and four years ago this month – October 5, 1914 to be precise – marked the first air-to-air dogfight. This is a short piece, but it’s pretty cool. One point they make is when this occurred, the famous Wright Brothers flight was barely more than a decade prior. Think about that: from a three and a half second flight to aerial combat in eleven years. That’s pretty remarkable. 

Get past the silly title. Get past the odd opening vignette about how the author literally lost his shirt. This is an article about reclaiming through recreation, about the nature of authenticity, about indigenous art history, and about our relationship with the past.

Back in Week 12 I recommended an article from Jalopnik by David Obushowski about master Ferrari mechanic Jenni Helms. David is back and writing about a special project of Jenni’s father and owner of Scuderia Rampante, Dave Helms. Dave has been working to resurrect a legendary race car thought destroyed long ago. Just like the previous story I linked to, this one is wonderfully written and irresistibly intriguing. 

Listen up, shirtballs, I’ve recommended the Good Place twice now in the [virtual] pages of Five Things, but that may not have been enough to persuade you to carve out a space in your busy schedule to catch up. I get it. Here’s a New York Times Magazine feature on creator Michael Schur along with everyone in the show and about the philosophies wrapped up at the core of the show. Honestly, even if you have no interest in ever watching The Good Place (and you should. I’m just saying… Yeah, I’m gonna judge you), read this (longish) piece. It’s incredibly well written, engaging, and a wonderful portrait of the people and ideas behind this unique show. 

Father and daughter both share a love for climbing. Her skills are growing, his diminishing with age. I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING! Seriously, even kid-less, this one is really sweet.