Good Good Things – Issue 18

Please enjoy this cornucopia of holiday goodness, sans squash, the earth’s least desirable vegetable. I hope you have a restful holiday and take some time to decompress, go for a walk, eat lots of mashed potatoes, go for another walk, and spend time with loved ones who make you happy. Also, help out if you can.

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Happy 40th to Calvin and Hobbes

My favorite panel: the teacher’s arms are perfection and tell the whole story.

More on NPR >

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How Marley Marl Accidentally Revolutionised Sampling in Hip-Hop

I always look forward to a hip-hop history lesson from El Train. His knowledge is deep, and his delivery is hypnotic.

The story of how Marley Marl’s studio mistake sparked a revolution in hip-hop production and inspired generations to come.

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New 30-foot Mural in Italian Market is a Tribute to  Immigrant Communities

Michelle Angela Ortiz has been working for over a month on a mural at the intersection where she grew up, and the 30-foot-tall painting will be one of the largest in the Italian Market when it’s unveiled on Saturday. The mural centers on Gabriel, who has worked at a produce stand for over 30 years.”

Read the story on Philly Voice >

Follow Michelle on Instagram and check out more “Our Market Murals” >

 

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Why Movies Just Don’t Feel “Real” Anymore

I know next to nothing about making movies, and I usually don’t notice much, but it’s become very apparent that most of today’s big-budget movies look like crap: bad color, wrong lighting, obvious CGI, and dear god, why is everyone in all the background scenes blurry?? And there’s so much more. Tom van der Linden breaks it all down for us (via Open Culture). He uses a lot of big words, but I was able to follow. Fascinating insight.

Why don’t movies feel “real” anymore? A deep dive into the first principles of movie immersion: on perceptual realism, indexicality, haptic visuality, and cinematic qualia.

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How To Choose The Perfect Wine For Thanksgiving & Other Holidays

I want to be friends with André Hueston Mack and take him wine shopping and drink pinot noir with him. Someone make this happen.

On this edition of World Of Wine, expert sommelier André Hueston Mack demystifies the process of shopping at your local wine store, sharing his tips and pointers for picking the perfect bottle for over a dozen different holiday occasions.

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Emmental Explained: Switzerland’s Iconic Cheese

I’m going through a big Swiss cheese phase right now. A subtly delicious cheese that deserves more flowers (I just learned this phrase).

Join master cheesemaker Christoph Hofer at Eyweid dairy to discover how Emmental is made, why its iconic holes form, and what threatens this hallmark of Swiss cheese today. From fresh Alpine milk to wheels weighing 120 kg, learn why Emmental remains one of the world’s most famous cheeses and why its holes matter.

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Thanksgiving Stuff(ing)

Least Popular Thanksgiving Horror Movies

• Cranberry Saw
• Children of the Cornbread
• Rosemary’s Gravy
• The Yamityville Horror
• Brine of Frankenstein
• Pie! Pie! My Darling
• Hellbraiser

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During my freshman year’s Thanksgiving break, I brought home all my bedding, a comforter, and some laundry in a large garbage bag. If you’re thinking my Dad mistook the bag for actual garbage and threw it out, you’d be right.

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Least Popular Thanksgiving Songs

• The Thanksgiving Shoes
• I’m Dreaming of a White Meat Mess
• Gravy, It’s Cold Outside
• O Come, All Ye Platefuls
• Zat You, Cranberry Sauce?
• It’s The Most Wonderful Pie of The Year
• Little Drumstick Boy
• Giblet Bells

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I’m excited for Thanksgiving dinner, my in-laws are letting the vegetarians sit inside this year!

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Enjoy a Sweet Little Story about Billy Berry Reconnecting with His Childhood Home

Jason Narducy (Superchunk, Bob Mould Band, R.E.M. tribute band) posted this lovely story about playing a house show and connecting a legendary musician to his past. People reminiscing fondly about where they grew up always gets me a bit weepy. My parents passed away a long time ago, but we’re lucky to still have my childhood home in our family. My kids never met my Dad, and my Mom died when my oldest was a year old, so being able to visit the house and tell stories about how awesome and loving they were helps fill the void a bit.

 

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Video Playlist: Best of Indie, Punk, Shoegaze of 2025!

Remember how stoked you were to kick back and watch 120 Minutes, discovering new and exciting bands that weren’t played on the radio? Well, friends, you can relive that magic right now. Put away your phone, turn off the lights, crack open a beverage, and watch this video playlist above on the biggest screen you have. There is an abundance of excellent music available to you with one simple click.

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Quick Hits

• Saved: My Picture World – Diane Keaton’s Autobiographical Scrapbook
• Football Stadium Turned Community Garden
• Johnny Marr: 100% Smiths Set 2025
• An Introduction to Hilma af Klint: Once a Forgotten Painter, Now a Celebrated Pioneer of Abstract Art
• High Vis – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
• How “No Worries” Became Everyone’s Go-To Phrase
• Why adults should read children’s books

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Stone Roses Documentary

Watch the clip above showing the Stone Roses rehearsing for their comeback tour, and you will become an instant fan if you weren’t already. That is a Jeff Lyons 100%, stone-cold guarantee. Reni is one of the greatest drummers of his generation. His playfulness and perfect backing vocals are a joy to behold.

I am unable to embed the full documentary video here, but you can watch it for free on YouTube. It is worth your time; it’s one of my favorite music docs.

In 2012, a resurrection no one thought possible took place when legendary band, The Stone Roses, reformed after 16 years. With unprecedented access to previously unseen archive footage, MADE OF STONE is a revealing journey through the life of one of the most revered and influential bands in British music history.

I was inspired to rewatch this last night after hearing about the passing of bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield. Read “Mani’s writhing, relentless bass was the Stone Roses’ secret sauce – it taught indie kids how to dance” by Alexis Petridis. Mani seems to be having a ball in the doc. Rest in Peace.

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Tbilisi Mural Fest’s Dynamic Murals Brighten the Sides of Buildings Throughout the City

Visit Colossal to see more stunning murals.

Established in 2019, Tbilisi Mural Fest has a deceptively simple goal: to turn Georgia’s capital city into one huge public gallery. For the artist-organizers, who also create works under the moniker TMF Studio, contemporary murals have the ability to transform unsightly, blocky developments into giant works of art. The paintings are not only a pleasure to look at but also create a more inviting urban environment.

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The Story Behind This Giant Rock in the Middle of a Field

If someone wants to tell me about a giant rock in the middle of a field, you better believe I’m listening.

Devil’s Tower, also known as Mato Tipila or Bear’s lodge, was formed over 50 million years ago. Rising dramatically from the Wyoming plains, this spellbinding monolith is a pillar of Lakota Sioux mythology and an enduring challenge to rock climbers worldwide. But through thousands of years of human fascination, one critical question remains unanswered: how did it get here?

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Lowest-Rated Hallmark Christmas Movies

‘Tis the season where good-looking white people going through some shit rediscover who they are while visiting their hometowns, and hook up with other good-looking white people in the process. Chip and Jeff quickly highlight the least popular of these absolutely real, and not fake, Hallmark Christmas movies. Here’s a couple of stinkers to whet your whistle…

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Don’t Sleep on This Very Good Gift Idea!

Hey guys, when you think of spending time with the family during the holiday season, you think of one thing and one thing only… that’s right, NAP TIME. Give your favorite napper the perfect gift this holiday season. Voted #1 shirt to nap in by NAPS Monthly.

Get a NAPS shirt for your favorite sleepyheads >

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Lettering Tips That Feel Like Cheating!

As someone who dabbles in graphic design, I was excited to stumble across the Chris Piascik YouTube channel. Chris is a talented illustrator who has worked with clients like Cartoon Network, Microsoft, Facebook, Adidas, Nickelodeon, and others. He is an easy-going guy and an effective instructor, showing step-by-step projects that are very doable for novices and pros alike.

Hand lettering is fun, but getting started can feel tricky. In this video, I’ll show you some easy ways to create custom lettering without having to invent styles from scratch. We’ll go over tracing type, modifying fonts, and pulling inspiration from vintage lettering to create unique designs. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for new techniques, this will help you quickly improve your lettering and give you knew ideas.

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Loops! I Did It Again