Time is a Motherf*cker
I'm officially in my late 20s
A friend recently asked me how old I feel and I said “younger than the seniors in high school seemed when I was a freshman.” In my memory, they were bigger and older than I seem to myself now. Turns out, having a lower subjective age is actually fairly common for people over 25 – and a pretty good thing at that. But today I turned 27 and it’s the first time saying my age out loud has sounded old.
Perhaps it’s because I’m officially in my late 20s, or that I’m the same age that many great artists died. In theory, the 27 Club is tragic because its “members” died so young, but it’s only a phenomenon because of how much they accomplished by this age. It’s crazy to think that I am now that age – the same age as professional athletes in their prime and actual, real-life doctors.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
I know better than to engage in a game of comparison. That is not the lesson. Instead I’m taking it as a not-so-gentle reminder that time waits for no one.
A few years ago, I was talking to an older man who interjected mid-conversation, surprised that I “still think a year is a long time.” That really stuck with me, because at that time a year was a long time. I think this is the real reason 27 seems older than I feel – a year is no longer a long time.
No one asked, but at the ripe old age of 27, I feel entitled to share at least this one bit of advice: be mindful of how you spend your time, it’s the greatest asset many of us have. There’s this concept of “time billionaires” that I find to be an amazing lens to view how far along we are. And though the days are long, the years are short. And getting shorter. Don’t fight it.
J. Cole L.A. Leakers Freestyle
With his new album The Off-Season dropping today, I have been relishing the J. Cole publicity blitz that has been going on. I’ve watched the mini-documentary; I’ve peeped the Slam cover shot by the great Atiba Jefferson; and as I write this, I’m giving the actual album a first listen. (Way-too-fast take: I was hyped as soon as I heard Cam’ron’s voice on the first track). But the thing that impressed me most was this freestyle. While I definitely fall in the “old head” category, I’m also not one to dismiss everything new as “mumble rap.” That being said, I do place a high value on lyricism and flow regardless of era, and few deliver on that better than J. Cole.
–Justin
Weird Waves Season 3: Tanker Surfing
“Weird Waves” is back for its third season. This series from Vans Surf explores alternative waves around the globe. They surf waves in places where surfing wouldn’t otherwise exist. In previous seasons, they’ve surfed the waves created by falling ice off of glaciers or done stand up river surfing in the middle of Munich. It’s cool to see a strong surf culture in places where the beach barely exists, if at all. This episode takes place in Galveston, TX, where they ride waves created by tankers (which may or may not speed up to give them bigger surf) for several miles. Great waves and great locals make this one of my favorite episodes of Weird Waves.
–Andrew
Rolls-Royce Bespoke Phantom Oribe for Yusaku Maezawa
For the most part, over-the-top rich guy stuff tends to fall in the “more money than taste” category. But this Rolls-Royce for Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is an exception. Made in collaboration with Hermés (just getting buy-in from the French luxury house is itself a major flex), it features a one-of-one body color and an interior that is rich in Hermés detailing, from the Enea Green leather wrapping the steering wheel to the embossed motifs on the wood panels. The refinement stands in sharp contrast to Drake’s gaudy Chrome Hearts’ Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
–Justin