As it turns out, football season is not yet over
This newsletter is arriving in your inbox a little early so as to give you plenty of chances to read during Super Bowl commercial breaks and/or gameplay
My friend Max is guest writing today, and I am thrilled. Max and I were in the same RUF intern class. I was reflecting on why so many of the folks I ask to guest write are from that group. Sure there’s the sense in which we’re friends for eternity because we’re friends in Christ, etc. But really it’s just that those friends are really special, and those two years were really special to me, and now everyone is off doing really special things.
Anyway, Max is cool. And I know that the word “authentic” has been used into near meaninglessness, but Max is cool in an authentic way. Max is kind and funny. And Max literally left his mark on me because he designed the one and only tattoo I have.
Max lives in New York City, and at the time of submitting his address for the Christmas card was single. So ladies in the greater NYC metroplex, get in touch.
I tried to find a picture of Max from our time as interns, and only found one But I also found this series of pictures that I can just absolutely smell:
Max is back right. The sweet Northeast interns. What a time.
Ok this photo a) captures the 2015 reformed men’s uniform and b) Mary Elizabeth and Caleb were mere days away from getting married, and now they’re mere days away from being parents!!
IYKYK
I digress…
This sentence now has links to the my instagram, and old issues of the newsletter. And we’re bringing back the Outdoor Voices Affiliate link. I hope today is beautiful for you.
Welcome, Max!
Hey there everyone! I’m Max, Max Wolf to be precise. And if that name sounds half familiar, that may be because you remember my sister Grace’s contribution here several months ago. If nothing else, let that be proof that the eldest siblings don’t always get the first shot at all the fun stuff. Although, I will relish in any opportunity to tease my siblings, even if it is on someone else’s weekly newsletter.
I’m from NYC, got to know Katherine through our concurrent time working with RUF, and now live back in NYC while working for a backline music production company (think ‘roadie for hire’). Music, besides being my livelihood, holds a very dominant place in my life and whether listening or playing, I’m always happy to have a conversation for days on end about whatever tunes you’ve connected with and why they mean so much to each of us. Besides music, I love to doodle and design! If you ever want a tattoo design, ask away. Katherine can attest to it as can others. And although my work habits sometimes resemble those of Calvin, I’d love to tackle any projects thrown at me! You can find me on Instagram via @this_is_the_wolf or on Spotify @maxwelljwolf if you fancy.
But in the meantime, let me tell you what I’ve been thinking about lately!
Number One: How to become King (or Queen)
If you’ve ever thought, “wouldn’t royalty be grand? If I could just avoid the geopolitical stresses and possible medieval attempts on my life…”? Well, apparently such joys are still available to the dreamers left in the world. As explained more thoroughly here, if you’d like to submit an application to be the ruler of Piel Island in Northern England, you’re more than welcome to. All that’s required is that you run the small bar! Is that really a downside?
Number Two: Two books from the year
Of the books I read over the past 365 days, two in particular stuck out to me. The first being How Music Got Free by Stephen Witt. A history of the advent of mp3s and the decline of the traditional music industry, Witt puts forth a riveting tale of the 80s, 90s, and 00s through the eyes of inventors, investors, and internet interlopers as music veers from tapes and CDs to the early mp3 players many of us remember or perhaps that first flip phone that was suddenly able to store and play a few songs. Magical.
And the second book was The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. Set in post-war London, I’m not ashamed to say that I wept at multiple points while reading it and to anyone who appreciates a work of fiction that tugs on heartstrings; read it.
Number Three: Weird Al
Anybody else discover a significant number of music staples through the parodies of Weird Al Yankovic? No? Just me? Well, regardless I highly suggest this article on the pervasiveness and joyfulness of his music and comedy over the years. When artists from Lady Gaga, to Kurt Cobain, to Madonna, to Eminem rank his parody of their work as a lifetime achievement, you know he’s got something good going on.
Number Four: Call your Momma
As the years progress, I’m further reminded of the blessing I have in my relationship with my parents. Gabriel Jesus, a superstar soccer player, born in the favelas of Brazil and now playing in Europe, writes a beautiful piece on how much his mother has meant to him over the years and what her sacrifice has done to contribute to everything he’s been blessed with. Just a nice touch to hear from someone who has scaled a metaphorical Everest
Number Five: My Musical Psychiatry
Besides more traditional therapy, I write and journal my thoughts and feelings in an effort to give words to the fluctuating jumble of daily musings. And when writing doesn’t quite cut it, I curate and listen to playlists. Playlists titled “Melancholy”, or “How I Feel When…”, or “I Smile When…” They can offer a bit of clarity to emotion or sometimes just commiseration without explanation. Music can tap into and run the gamut of our emotions. Explore that and follow the music whenever a particular emotion takes hold. Sometimes you’ll find an answer, sometimes you’ll just find a familiarity. And don’t we know how often that can be the greatest joy of all.