links I’m loving right now

first:

This list on wikipedia of territorial disputes around the world. First off, it’s hella long. Crazy how much we don’t know until we seek it out. Second of all, I love the way these lists are organised, and they come along with a definition. While we always know, don’t fully trust wikipedia as a source for citation, it is a great place to start.

 

now this:

Fifty Anthony Bourdain quotes. Turn the volume on, hover your finger on the right arrow button, because we can read this to our selves much faster than the pace of the video. Nevertheless it’s great. I am such big fan of Anthony Bourdain (RIP). And I love his voice and his stylistic choices and colorful language. pair that with a guy full of worldly experience and you can’t go wrong.

 

 

and then this:

This is a Vice News report on Mental Health crisis in Florida. And talks about the baker act. Clearly there is something going on with anxiety in the youth. I mean, myself included. I have never been suicidal EVER, so I am not equating myself to these kids. Clearly though there is something going on with this huge rise in unhappiness or worry. the video also briefly touches on how much health care could cost for keeping a kid in therapy/in the hospital while they are trying to recover. It is just such a shame that parents have to decide between “mortgaging the house” and making sure their kid stays alive and get the help they need.

Links I’m loving right now

The internet is a massive black hole, and half the time I’m on it I feel like I’m wasting my time to find something that is actually worth my time. Some things have really quenched this thirst lately so I wanted to post here to either a) share this with you guys, and/or b) publish it so I can find it later. Because really this blog is kind of contributing to the black hole I mentioned previously.

1.

Porn Hub’s 2018 Year in Review: I recently had this sent to me, by none other than my boyfriend, and I have got to say it is one of the most interesting thing I have read on the internet. Yes, I know it is March 2019 and I am super late to the party. The piece really goes hard on the stats and provides a peak into the world’s changing sexual interests. This article was on my mind so much it actually came up as a topic while live streaming on Twitch just the other night. Have to say it has been one of my favorite live stream discussions to date.

Speaking of porn…

2.

Via the rabbit hole that is YouTube, I landed on some TedTalks and followed it to the founder of a website called Make Love Not Porn. The focus is really more about love making (clearly) and real life couples and partners sharing their intimate lives and kinks. The viewing system is much different than PornHub and is worth a look. They provide previews, but one has to work off of a subscription model or I believe a pay per view. Some of the previews are good enough! I will say that their website needs a major revamp though. It’s almost hard to navigate, and is not user-friendly yet. However the idea of this movement is deserving in itself.

Something now a little less sexy…

3.

Fresh Air has been a staple in my life since freshman year in college. Radio had always been really big in my family, and I realised just how much I missed NPR once I had moved out. There is honestly something so great about Terry Gross; probably many somethings actually. The show sources incredible subjects and she asks questions that get to the meat of the matter. A few weeks ago, this one came out about the cost of going to the ER in America. This was particularly poignant as my father was just there last week. Thank goodness he came out alright, just a hiccup in his health. Living and working in Germany, I am thankful everyday for this healthcare system, and that I never have to worry about my health vs my bank account. I just have to worry about the bank account after booking too many adventures in South Africa.

What’s draining the wallet and the bottle…

4.

As early as next week I will be taking my first trip to South Africa! I cannot believe it. I didn’t even think I would get to go to Africa in my life, especially not in my 20’s. Life has a funny way of surprising you like that. I have been dating a wonderful South African since last summer. He does live there, so we have a LDR. However, he goes to incredible lengths for us to see each other. This is the longest we have been apart since we have been together and its just been a month. He is always flying in, and he came to Dallas with me for the weddings last fall in Dallas! (Which reminds me. I have got to tell you the story of how that happened.!)  Our first destination will be Cape Town, and there we will be going on a wine tour of the vineyards at Franschhoek. BUT LISTEN! We are going on a wine tasting tour via a tram!  I have no idea what to expect, I have nothing to expect at all for this trip, but I am SO GAME for the idea of it. The idea of it is getting me through my work day.

To be completely honest, I didn’t pay for the wine tram.. but I’m positive the wine will be affecting my purchases once I’m on it. Please pray that I don’t order a $100 wine.

 

What’s filling up my brain…

5.

You may more may not know that I am not a gamer. However! There is this daily brain excercise app called Peak Brain Training. It gives me 4 short games every day (because I have the free version) that are supposed to be measuring and excersising different areas of the brain, like memory, focus, emotion, language processing, etc. Do I know if that is working? No. But I definitely find myself opening it every day to play these four randomised games, which they select for you based on your development (I think). What I do know is that I like it, and a feel like I am doing something good for myself. Even if it is a game.