It’s been a dark and scary week, but for me the flickering light at the end of the tunnel has been Donwill writing this week’s passions. I met Donwill years ago, and I thought, man he’s great. These days, I have the joy of seeing him every Monday at Butterboy, where he’s the resident DJ. He’s also an award-winning podcast host, musician, producer, and is currently on tour with Michelle Buteau. And you know what, he’s also down to earth! His podcast, The Almanac of Rap, is a must-listen. Take it away, Donwill!
Hello to all of you passionate people! I brought a few nuggets of joy to share with the class but before we get into it I’ve gotta mention that on 10/17 I’m doing a live Almanac of Rap recording with Shawn Kantrowitz, Petey DeAbreu and Josh Gondelman at Bierwax Brooklyn. There’ll be interviews, trivia and prizes! You can RSVP here.
Okay let’s get into it!
Untangling Wired Earbuds:
I have never solved a Rubik’s Cube but I’d imagine that successfully untangled a set of wired earbuds gives you the exact same feeling. No matter how neatly you coil them they always are tangled when you go to get them and unlike most other ‘games’ there are stakes to this puzzle. You either figure it out or raw dog the world for however long you’re out there in it so why not make it fun! Time yourself and try to beat your best score!
It also goes without saying that I am pro wired earbuds as primary headphones and not backups!
Cortado Hacking:
If whatever major chain coffee shop ((starbucks)) you encounter doesn’t have a cortado on the menu all you gotta do is order a shot of espresso with a little steamed milk on the side. You can then assemble it yourself!
Sometimes the milk is free! Even the alt-milks! It’s insane! Notice I said sometime because results may vary. I’ve paid as low as $2.35 for the whole shebang and never more than the cost of however much their latte is. Be prepared for confused looks but take solace in the fact that the cashier will never forget you. Also real baristas will know what you are doing and salute your contempt for corporations gatekeeping cortados.
New York coffee shops have truly spoiled me.
(It’s also worth noting that Starbucks in general will give you free ice water if you just walk up to the pick up counter and say some variation of “i didn’t get the water I ordered”)
Advil’s Candy Coating:
This is a forbidden passion because drugs are bad but I want to shake the hand of whoever decided to candy coat Advil. They really took that whole saying about a spoonful of sugar helping the medicine go down to heart. I haven’t had a Skittle in like three Halloweens but in my mind they taste just like Skittles.
Pain management and hangovers are not fun at all but knowing I get to take the edge off of my ailment with a little sweet treat is a tiny silver lining, or better yet candy coating!
The candy coating also makes it easier to take them without a beverage and nothing makes you feel more rock n roll than curing a hangover with HARD DRUGS.
BONUS PASSION: Earworms:
No, not actual bugs (gross) but songs that I love at the moment. If there’s one thing to know about me it’s that music is the most all consuming passion in my life so in closing here are three songs that I think you’d enjoy. Consider it a mini DJ set!
Change of Heart by Change
Don’t Look Up by Tanya Morgan
Why Don’t You by Cleo Soul
(Oh and if you enjoyed my rambling feel free to buy my album or sign up for my newsletter)
And now some from the readers…
Jenny: “I'm passionate about asking couples if they want their picture taken! Whenever I happen upon a couple trying to take a selfie, I ask if they'd like me to take one of them instead. I'm pretty handy with a camera, and get a little thrill giving people a nice picture together with their beloved.”
Allison: “I am writing to share my passion: free car vacuums that you can find at some gas stations. What a novelty to find anything free these days!! There is nothing like sucking up the remains of Cheerios, dog hair, playground sand, and other debris that plague my car at zero cost to me. And even just a few moments of using one makes me feel like the proud owner of a brand new whip. Plus they are fun to use! So noisy! So powerful! I highly recommend.”
Molly: “Pizza in a bag. The pizza place on my block sells slices that are huge, like as big as 2 normal slices. When you buy just one, they put it on a paper plate and then in a little brown paper bag. I love carrying my little pizza sack around the corner to my apartment to eat it as the bag and the plate slowly absorb all the grease.”
If you can believe it, Murder on Sex Island comes out on Tuesday, October 17. You can pre-order here or wherever you like to buy books. Also, you can always purchase after it comes out, but let’s be honest, this is a self-published book, and I don’t think it’ll be in many bookstores. EXCEPT I think Greenlight Books will have a few copies, and I’ll be doing an in-person book signing at the Mysterious Bookshop, where you can buy a copy directly in front of my face. “So noisy! So powerful!”
I love Donwill,
Jo