A little earlier than normal so it doesn’t sit in the Drafts folder until we return from spring break.
Movies, Shows, etc
The Agency
Tuuuuuurific! I had read/heard raves for this and was waiting until S needed to get her next Taylor Sheridan fix on Paramount+ so I could watch it. It lived up to the hype. Now, there are some issues with the story, which got a little broad at times. But that’s a minor complaint. Tense, generally well written, good acting performances. Most of all, though, it is shot like a movie, more cinematic in visual presentation than most other spy shows out there. And the soundtrack was incredible. This felt like what Michael Mann always wanted to make, but often fell short off on the script side. And the big twist at the end worked in making me look forward to season two.
A
The Neighbors’ Window
I wasn’t sure which section to put this in. I watched it on YouTube, but since it won an Oscar it seemed right to elevate it. A wonderful piece of filmmaking. You can do a lot in 20 minutes if you want to.
A
Exploring New Zealand’s Wild Flavors, Māori Culture & Volcanic Hot Spring Cooking | DIRT
I’m also elevating this in status as they require a true commitment to watch now. New Zealand looks beyond spectacular.
A
The Hunt For Red October
Still holds up.
A
Lioness, season one
I took a chance on this as I had heard very mixed views on it from others. There are some big problems with the season. Midway through I was contemplating bailing as it was veering towards similar dumb territory as the Jack Ryan series. I wouldn’t say it totally saved itself but I did finish and didn’t feel like I wasted my time. Some of the dialogue though, yech. I lost track of how many times I knew exactly what a character would say. Like to the word. Nicole Kidman’s performance was kind of terrible. And her husband? One of the worst characters I can recall in a series like this. Debating whether to watch season two, as it got better reviews, but was also reviewed by a lot fewer critics.
B-
30 Rock, season one
While I’ve not watched them as much lately, reruns of The Office and Seinfeld are staples of my normal, casual TV time. If Parks & Recreation aired more often, I would gobble that up as well. I’ve rewatched Arrested Development, parts of Community and Scrubs. The one classic 21st Century (I know Seinfeld doesn’t fit that timeline) comedy I’ve never rewatched? Tina Fey’s classic. So this is super fun because of all those shows, it’s the one I remember the least well. I’m still in the midst of season one, but so far, so great!
A
Shorts, YouTubes, etc
How Tower Cranes Build Themselves
Obviously this works, but it sure doesn’t seem like it should.
Link Sar: The Last Great Unclimbed Mountain
On one hand, I’m fascinated by these climbs. On the other, when they look down from the tops of 3000 foot drop offs, I have trouble watching.
Robert De Niro Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters
Here’s one of the biggest ones of these you can get. And it is surprisingly great. De Niro isn’t always the most forthcoming or comfortable talking about himself, but he was terrific here.
John Cusack Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters
This is whack because there is no section about Sixteen Candles.
Why wasn’t France a part of the Holy Roman Empire?
Why was the Netherlands banned from selling Luxembourg?
Why did Europe obey the Monroe Doctrine?
I love this series. Good content and the subtle humor in the animations is terrific.
Inside This Home Builder’s Desert Hideaway in Far West Texas | Huckberry Homes
These never disappoint.
How an Architect Optimized a 400-Square-Foot Manhattan Apartment | Architectural Digest
My last apartment in Kansas City was about 400 square feet, so it was fun to watch this and imagine what could have been done with that space other than throwing a futon and a computer desk into it.
Up Close with Polar Bears – Sony FX6 Short Film – Churchill Manitoba
Super cool footage of polar bears followed by an interesting description of how it was made.
The Last Observers
Charming piece about another old school occupation that is being replaced by technology.
Cafe hopping in Lisbon, Portugal | best coffee & hidden gems
Living in Lisbon, Portugal | Typical day as digital nomads, life update + coffee, food & fun
M is going to spend the spring ’26 semester in Lisbon, so I started seeking out some Portugal content on YouTube. I think she will enjoy these millennials way more than I did. I stopped watching their stuff, but started a new playlist of other Portugal content I’m sharing with M and will watch on my own next fall.
Not the Typical Golden Route: 10-Day Winter Itinerary with My Family in Japan
Canadians in Japan, eh?
Every “I’ve Made A Huuuge Mistake” – Arrested Development
Can never watch too many AD clips.
The Heatwave Continues, Ireland 1976
Hilarious.
Creating Saturday Night Live: Cue Cards
Quite the process.
Your Spring Wardrobe, Simplified | Answering Your Spring Style Questions For 2025 | Ask Huckberry
Not all this fits my aesthetic, but I always appreciate their seasonal updates.
Alec Baldwin’s Impressions Of “The Godfather” Cast
Shame he’s a total kook, but I do admire the man’s talent.
55 Greatest James Bond One-Liners
Solid.
MUSCAT: OMAN’S ANTI-DUBAI CAPITAL CITY
Funny, I watched this randomly and suddenly I was getting suggestions for other vids about Oman daily. The algorithm is never shy about forcing you down a rabbit hole.
Matthew McConaughey’s Funniest Impressions
How had I never seen Matt Damon do this until now? Uncanny!
Top 20 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Written by Prince
I was prepared to slam this list, but there were actually seven songs on it I had no idea Prince was responsible for. Now, I had never heard any of them before. But I thought it might be 20 obvious ones.
Car Content
I Drive The Hyundai IONIQ 9 For The First Time! Full Tour & Initial Road Test Experience
Hyundai IONIQ 9 EV Road Trip To North Korea!
Ugly car, but glad Hyundai/Kia are pushing their EV offerings forward.
Rivian R2 vs NEW Model Y
I’ve Been Hard On Rivian Recently But Now Is The Best Time To Get One
How Rivian R2 Will DOMINATE
RIVIAN CEO ⚡️ RJ Scaringe on the electric future and unifying vision | Interview @ SXSW
The Rivian R3 Is Getting Closer & Here’s What I Want To See Make It To Production
What We Learned After Testing a Rivian R1T for 40,000 Miles
Only 25 months until I can get an R2. This space may just turn into a Rivian-stan section between now and then.
Photography
5 Tips for Photographers with No Time
Travel Photography on the Oregon Coast in Winter // Fuji X-T5
Travel Photography at Home in Seattle // Fuji X-T5
Travel Photography in Vancouver // Fuji X-T5
OUR LAST DAY ON THE OREGON COAST
5 Photos Show How The Ukraine War Changed
My Minimal Street & Travel Photography Setup for 2025
A Plea to all Camera Brands…
What I Learned Traveling With ONLY The Fujifilm 27mm
50mm Street Photography: Lisbon (POV)
Podcasts
Real Ones
I’ve dialed back my NBA pods, mostly because ESPN fired Zach Lowe last fall ending his twice-weekly show. But I still cycle through as many of The Ringer’s NBA pods as I can each week. This is, by far, the best. Howard Beck is a fantastic NBA writer and surprisingly funny when the other two get him ranting about something. Former NBA player Raja Bell is an AMAZING podcaster. Like outrageously good. Some folks don’t like Logan Murdock’s act, but I do, especially when he and Raja go back and forth. If you only have an hour to listen to folks talk about the NBA each week, this is the one you should pick.