#131: Super Cool

Aug 14, 2020

Carrie Riley & The Fascinations - Super Cool.

Press play before reading! From this:

If this is your first Friday newsletter, the format is different from the Monday/Wednesday newsletters.

On Fridays, we listen to music.

MUSIC THINGS:

At the risk of “unpacking”…BOY, do I love a good brand deal. I’m not being sarcastic. There are so many TERRIBLE executions that when they get it right, it hits the sweet spot of cultural context for both brands (Drake is a brand, but you knew that already). Drake and Nike together brings that warm monoculture feeling that, despite our tweets, appeals to me, you, yo mama and yo cousin, too.
Nike is in a spot where their prime athletes are either in a bubble somewhere, right? Activate your non-athletes. Hard to book a shoot somewhere? Do it on campus. To use an out-of-date colloquialism: Use the whole Buffalo (or owl, in this case).
I got an open bounty for anyone who can help me secure an interview w/Oliver El-Khatib: A vintage Starter jacket (button, not pullover) of your team of choice. Speaking of, follow @gamedaygrails, something fun is on the way.
NEW PLAYLISTS FOR AUGUST:
A reminder: My new gimmick is “The King of Very Specific Vibes”
Art School Alumni Party Playlist
Scenario: Your thesis “Acceptance to Plural Identities in Art Therapy: Examining Colonization and Multiculturalism Training through Autoethnography” sits on your hard drive, never to be read again. You long for the days of questionable decisions and even more questionable outfits.
Songs to Kill Your Plants To
Scenario: Look, you started with good intentions. It’s not your fault. There’s a lot going on, nobody can be expected to keep a fiddle-leaf fig alive right now. In this economy?
Hotel Pool VIBES
Scenario: You were supposed to be at a cool hotel pool right now getting some sun while drinking a cocktail that’s essentially a Solo cup’s worth of Dole fruit juice, half a White Claw and a shot of Effen Black Cherry, but somehow costs $17? Instead, the only glow you’re getting these days is from your laptop screen.
Apple Music/Spotify
UPDATES:
1st batch of August updates is done!
Cool Men’s Boutique
Apple Music/Spotify/Tidal
Cool Men’s Boutique almost has 100 subscribers on Spotify, so glad people are enjoying!
Cool Dive Bar
Apple Music/Tidal/Spotify
Cool but Overpriced Sushi Fusion Restaurant
Spotify/Apple Music
Stoned in the Shower
Spotify/Apple Music
Older Millennial Instant Party Starter
Apple Music/Spotify

HOW TO HELP BLACK LIVES IN 30 MINS OR LESS:

When it comes to taking the steps needed to create a racially equal America, I’ve heard from many well-intentioned non-Black people over the last two months that one of the most daunting things for them is trying to figure out what they can personally do make things better.

Some folks see these massive issues as a significant problem that cannot be defeated, so they struggle to figure out what one person can do, which leads to them not doing much other than posting to IG. Some of that is not wanting to seem like you’re doing too much, some of that is fear your intentions will be misunderstood.

What if I told you that for only 30 minutes a week, you can help black lives no matter where you are or how much money you make? Here’s how:

Carve out 30 minutes in your calendar this week. Call it “Being A Better Person Time” or “Set a Good Example for my Kid” Time, whatever works.
Use that 30 minutes to go here.
Click a link and make a call or donate or sign a petition. Just do one thing in that 30 min window.
This weekend, share the above link with your three closest friends and say, “Hey, I’m (calling/donating/signing a petition). I’m worried about how things will be for future generations, so I’m doing something about it. If you’re interested, here’s the link!” If you have a group chat, drop it into your group chat!
Repeat the following week for as long as you can. Do it while you online shop, do it while you’re on an annoying call, hell, you can do it while you poop, I genuinely don’t care! Whatever it takes! It is the absolute least that you can do, but you’ll get a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that you at least did SOMETHING to help. You have a vision of who you want to be, right? That ideal version of yourself that does the right thing when given a chance and leads by example? This is that chance. You can do it!
BONUS: You won’t have to lie to your kids or grandkids about being on the right side of history! You can be all like, “Children/Grandchildren, we don’t tolerate that racist shit in this house. If anyone says otherwise, send them to me.” and you’ll sound all tough and cool, and your kids or grandkids will respect and love you and not want to be racists…guess what? That means less racist people in the future!!!
Look at that. It turns out you had a bigger impact than you thought the whole time!