My darlings, I have emerged from my two weeks off with a tan and noticeably less teeth clenching. While I wish I could say I have a poignant meditation on the nature and importance of rest in an age of busyness to share with y’all, that’s currently in drafts and in no state for public consumption (getting through post-PTO email will do that do you).
Instead, here’s a grab bag of stuff I’ve read, stuff I want to read, stuff you’ve sent me, etc. So, let’s get to it!
Over at NBC News, David Ingram got ahold of a list of “3,407 concrete buildings in San Francisco that may be at high risk of collapse in a major earthquake.” While it focuses on this draft list of at-risk building, the piece also delves into the politics of retrofitting, and how challenging it will be for our city still recovering from the disruption of the past few years to invest the time and capital required to avoid Turkey-like danger when the big one hits SF. And let me tell you, the helpful map included is only sort of contributing to the general anxiety creeping past my vacation zen: Unpublished list reveals 3,400 San Francisco buildings may be at severe earthquake risk (NBC News) And if you’re looking for a good explainer of the dangers of these buildings, the San Francisco Chronicle story covering the same list (and linked to in the NBC story) has a handy visual explainer: About 3,900 San Francisco buildings are made in the same way as Turkish ones flattened in the earthquake (SF Chron)
The credit card screen asked me to tip as I checked out at the SFO newsstand when I was flying out for my adventures, so I can report that this business practice did indeed (gasp!) annoy me: Tipping at Self-Checkout Has Customers Crying ‘Emotional Blackmail’ (WSJ)
During my time in Lake County last week, in a relatively lush countryside after California’s spring of rain, twilight meant Amy dinner time for mosquitos. So I don’t think I’ve clicked anything quite as fast as I clicked this: How mosquitoes use your body chemistry to pick you for their next meal (Washington Post)
Who else of my elder millennials went through their Titanic phase? Just me? I’m the only one that saw it ten times in theaters when it came out? OK, fine… Titanic: First ever full-sized scans reveal wreck as never seen before (BBC)
I’m sure y’all saw this when it came out weeks ago, but if you didn’t, I hope you read it now - it’s SO good: Generation Connie (NYT)
And finally, friend of the Missive Alexander shared two links I must insist y’all visit: Gen-Z-Span (tagline “it’s giving democracy”) and Kenny Log-ins. That is all the explanation this Missive will provide at this time.
Hi, I missed y’all, glad to be back. Drink some water, get outside, be kind to yourself, won’t you?
Xoxo Amy
