Good Good Things – Issue 19
Hi friends, I’m back and ready to sling some more good, positive vibes your way with some top-notch distractions. So push aside that dumb spreadsheet, have a fifth cup of coffee, and get clicking! Also, a big thank you to Aaron Cohen for the nice shout-out on the awesome kottke.org blog, the OG of good content on the internet (since 1998).
Historian Answers Folklore Questions
I would love to have a cup of tea with Dr. Wood and ask her a few questions about my favorite cryptids. (Three hours and four cups later) “So, what if we finally capture a bigfoot and he’s only like 5’10” and wears a 9.5 D?”
Medieval historian Dr. Juliette Wood joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about folklore. How did unicorns become a symbol of little girl cuteness? Are mermaids and sirens the same? Has anyone ever actually found a razor blade in their Halloween candy? What are the origins of Slenderman?
Rocky 50k Run
Philly’s own Rebecca Barber and her unique long-distance race will be getting some much-deserved attention from ESPN. Join the fun at the 13th running of the Rocky 50k Run this Saturday, December 6, 2025. Details here. This “fatass” (No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps) race was inspired by our guy, Dan McQuade, back in 2018, with his article “How Far Did Rocky Go in His Training Run in Rocky II?”
Very exciting news: ESPN will be coming to this year’s Rocky 50k Fat Ass Run to film for a future documentary on the Rocky Steps and their impact. Get ready for your moment to shine in front of the camera and join us on this Saturday, December 6th at 7 AM!!!
Rewatch: Best of Between Two Ferns
Like you, I love Zach Galifianakis, but sometimes I am in the mood for Seth Galifianakis. I’m so glad he was included in this mix.
Follow: Pizzavania
Patrick Berkery, Philly’s busiest and most tasteful drummer, is now serving up a piping hot newsletter “highlighting some of the best pizza Pennsylvania has to offer.”
A little bit about me: If ever there was a topic I feel qualified to write about, it’s pizza. I eat a lot of the stuff. I plan New England road trips so I can visit my favorite pizza destinations in New Haven, Connecticut. I’ve been to Chicago many times and enjoyed some of the best deep dish the Windy City has to offer (Lou Malnati’s could be my favorite). I’ve hit many of the great spots throughout New York City (John’s of Bleeker is still my favorite) and New Jersey (give me DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pies till I die), and several in Old Forge (aka, “The Pizza Capital of the World”).
Read Patrick’s pizza gift guide >
My Spotify Wrapped
Not surprised.
Michael Myers Played His Own Scary Music
Wow, I’ve seen this classic multiple times, but I never noticed how multitalented Michael was. Thank you, Real Big Boys, for this eagle-eye discovery.
Due to low budget, the villain, Michael Myers (Halloween 1978) had to actually play his own scary music during the scenes, though, and nobody has noticed until us. (This is part of the “Cinema’s Never Noticed ‘Ems” series (aka CNN Em’s) esipode 14.). This is extremely rare footage, though.
A Rare Smile Captured in a 19th-Century Photograph
Pretty cool to see young O‑o-be’ flashing a mega-watt smile back in 1894. Why did most people look so bummed out in old photos?
When photography was first invented, exposures could take 45 minutes. Having a portrait taken meant sitting stock still for a very long time, so smiling was right out. It was only near the end of the 19th century that shutter speeds improved, as did emulsions, meaning that spontaneous moments could be captured. Still, smiling was not part of many cultures.
Read her story on Open Culture >
“Whither Rivers Flow” by Photographer Ximeng Tu
The website BOOOOOOM features a series of stunning photos documenting the changes that have occurred in the city of Chongqing by photographer Ximeng Tu.
Tu grew up near the Jialing River and often swam there as a child. After studying in other cities in his youth, Tu returned to Chongqing for university. The Chongqing of today is different from the Chongqing of Tu’s childhood and these images are an effort to record those changes—to tell the story of the riverside from his perspective and memory.
Read the article and see all the photos here >
Christmas Prep
My neighbor Mark is very angry that my Christmas lights are super bright and spell out MARK SUCKS.
I love “Flip Your Wig” so much because I think it’s the only Hüsker Dü song where they trade off main vocals. Bob goes first, Grant sings the next part, then after a killer solo, a nice back and forth…
My daughter: “Can we turn the Christmas music back on?”
It’s not Hallmark’s best, but I do enjoy seeing all the Philly landmarks in “The Christmas Hoagie.”
Underrated Christmas Songs
“I Was Born On Christmas Day” by Saint Etienne featuring Tim Burgess (The Charlatans).
“Christmas Holiday” by Gurr featuring Eddie Argos (Art Brut)
Talking “A Very Brady Christmas” with Chip and Jeff
Your pals Chip and Jeff discuss the Brady Bunch holiday classic “A Very Brady Christmas.” It’s awkward, slightly stressful, and oddly and uncomfortably horny. These are real-world Brady kids dealing with some real-world problems. They are all grown up but still lie to their parents and find themselves in some major pickles.
The Best Bagels in NYC! Russ & Daughters
“Hey Jeff, what’s your favorite prestige TV show? What are you obsessed with?”
(mouth full of bagel) “This…”
Philly Marathon Gets Some Major Props
The popular running podcast, “The Marathon Handbook,” had some very nice things to say about my hometown 26.2-miler. I was volunteering at the 18.9-mile aid station, and I noticed the host of the podcast ran by wearing a Marathon Handbook cap, and I said aloud to no one, “Hey, it’s Michael!” Then I got back to handing out and refilling 100s of little cups of water. I also yelled, “Great job, runners!” at least 10,000 times.
I’ve run the Philadelphia Marathon ten times, and I know I am biased, but it is a stellar course. It’s fast and mostly flat, with top-tier crowd support and scenery. I always recommend it to first-timers and veterans alike.
It was a long yet rewarding day watching people run a considerable distance and begging them to stay hydrated. I had so much fun. Congrats to everyone who got out there!
Note by Note: The Making of a Steinway Piano
Wow! 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and countless hours of fine-tuned labor…
Note by Note is a feature-length documentary that follows the creation of a Steinway concert grand, L1037. It explores the relationship between musician and instrument, chronicles the manufacturing process, and investigates what makes each Steinway unique. From the factory floor in Queens to Steinway Hall in Manhattan, each piano’s journey is complex, spanning 12 months.
Quick Hits
- A Displaced Tribe Just Reclaimed Ancestral Territory Near Yosemite
- From Otis Redding to Booker T., Steve Cropper was a strong yet subtle force that shaped so many soul classics
- Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health
- 7 Levels of Peanuts: From ‘Deleted’ to ‘Global Icon’
- The Rise and Fall of the Triple Album
- The RoboCop Statue Arrives In Detroit
- “Brooklyn Motto” by Alex R. Johnson
- An Interview with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein
- Fugazi live concert archive on Bandcamp
How to Turn Off AI Tools Like Gemini, Apple Intelligence, Copilot, and More
AI features are crowding into Google search, Gmail, iPhones, Windows laptops, and other products. If you’re suffering from AI overload, these settings can help.
Gift Idea: A Nice Shirt
Do you like R.E.M., napping, pizza, arcades, or running alone in the woods? Well, I have the shirt for you. Get a couple for your friends and family, and please, make sure to (Tom Haverford voice) treat yo self to a quality tee. Your support is greatly appreciated.
A Visual History of Lunchboxes
Love a good history lesson that combines design and lunch! View them all on the Design Observer website.
Via the awesome Laura Olin newsletter.
When I stumbled on to a selection of lunch boxes, I was impressed with their wide-ranging collection, from the plain everyday workingman’s box (think construction worker, 1940s) to the fun and highly decorated tin boxes of mid-century America (think Gene Autry). Here’s a small display of the lunch boxes of our nation.
Feel Good Break
Please enjoy an adorable 12-year-old (I’m guessing) Dave Gahan dancing in this video.
Favorite Music of 2025
Sometimes I think the only good I do in the world is texting my high school buddies new bands to check out, trying to save them from the strong gravitational pull of going to straw cowboy hat pop country concerts or lifeless Dead cover band shows. Replies like “Cool, I might check it out,” and “This sounds weird,” keep me going.
Here are a couple of jams to whet your whistle. View/listen to the entire list here >
Bluesky
— Sarah Andersen (@sarahseeandersen.bsky.social) December 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
According to my year-end Reynolds Wrapped™️ I used 22.6 feet of aluminum foil in 2025. Most popular usage: burritos!
— Lostcatdog (@lostcatdog.bsky.social) December 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
So it’s NOT my imagination
— Emo Philips (@emophilips.bsky.social) December 2, 2025 at 3:23 AM
John…what’s wrong…you’ve barely sucked on your chili dog
— Patrick Cosmos (@veryimportant.lawyer) November 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I love Christmas mainly because it’s the only time they add fruits and grains to the worker pellet mix in the break room
— tara (@weedlejuice.bsky.social) December 2, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Gotta say, I’m not so confident that you do
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo.com) November 7, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Beginning to think I’ll never make a bunch of sandwiches by shuffling a loaf of bread.
— RM (@dorsalstream.bsky.social) November 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
[the robe store]
me: is this a good one for getting the morning paper
salesperson: yes and, you’re gonna love this, it’s our top rated robe for frantically taking the garbage out because you hear the truck coming
me: (hiding my excitement) really
— Ygrene (@ygrene.bsky.social) November 14, 2024 at 11:54 AM
— Patrick Rapa (@classypatrick.bsky.social) December 4, 2025 at 5:35 AM
In 1987 Family Computing magazine asked “computer-using celebrities” what they wanted for Christmas. Julia Child wanted a potion that taught her MS-DOS. Steve Wozniak would like a girlfriend. Robin Williams said he’d “like to be able to jack in directly.” And Todd Rundgren needed a laser printer.
— Dan McQuade (@dhm.bsky.social) November 30, 2025 at 1:40 PM
My “never getting dumped” tattoo only mocks me now.
— Kip Conlon (@kipconlon.bsky.social) November 28, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Watch for me in the Thanksgiving Parade. I’m dressed as a sweet potato and jogging alongside the Vibrant Vegetables float
Take care of each other
FDT forever. See you soon with more goodness…
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