The Weekly Wrap: October 3, 2021

If you want a den of hot takes, I recommend subscribing to a local neighborhood list-serv.

​I subscribe to one for our neighborhood and it's an endless source of entertainment and frustration.

There's the usual batch of people selling things and looking for things, making recommendations, and sharing pictures of animals spotted in the wild.  There's also a good chunk of debate about neighborhood issues that tend to revolve around NIMBY/YIMBY topics and transportation changes. Lately, there has been an ongoing debate about cashless businesses. 

A new restaurant opened on the main drive and they are cash-free.  Going cashless is trending in cities these days and really took off during the pandemic. Some folks on the list-serv are NOT having it. Debate exploded about places being cash-free and "Why won't they accept my legal paper tender?" and "What is the world coming to?" and "It's a privacy violation to make me use a credit card!" and - legitimately - "What about the unbanked/unable to get credit cards?" 

The debate, on all sides, was vociferous and lengthy. Just as the emails on this topic were dying down, a 7-11 down the block from the new restaurant in question was robbed - in broad daylight - of $3,100 in cash. The list-serv was suspiciously quiet for about 24 hours and then everything set off again which much gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair. Again, on all sides.

All of this is to say, if you want to stay informed and have a high tolerance for drama, sign up for you local list-serv. You learn a lot.

What's your favorite way to stay in touch with where you live?

---

• Continuing proof that no one is a "digital native." [The Verge]
• The importance of the family couch. [WaPo]
• A coworker sent me this list of Gen Z slang. I say a few of these which means they are already passé. [Lifehacker]
• Squirrel seeks mobile storage for nut collection. [WaPo]

• Tips to help you raise a reader. [Life Kit]
• The amazing memories of squirrels. [Every Little Thing]
• Political hobbyism and civic engagement: when politics is sport. [Hidden Brain]
• Save the sequoias. [Short Wave]
• A mountain of mammoths. [Atlas Obscura]
• What the hell, English! [99% Invisible]
• You're not special. [Hidden Brain]

• Ear Candy: Lil Nas X performs Dolly Parton's "Jolene."  [BBCRadio1VEVO]
• Switcheroo! How the "Texas Switch" makes for great movie magic. [Entertain the Elk]
• We watched Get Organized with The Home Edit and now I need to visit the Container Store. I'm a regular weeder and organizer of "stuff" and this show has be reassessing my side of the bedroom closet, even though I just reviewed it a month ago. Also, the energy level of the show is through the roof  but you do get used to it. [Netflix]

• Fall weather means we can eat chili again. Huzzah! I made one of our favorites: chorizo and sweet potato chili. The first time we made it, I used fancy D'Artagnan chorizo. It was divine. I have since made it with more affordable chorizo. Still very good, but splurging on the D'Artagnan is sometimes worth it. [Budget Bytes]
• Broke out the slow cooker this week and made chicken tikka masala. Sometimes, I make Indian food simply for an excuse to eat naan, but this recipe is just as good as the naan. Our kiddo even dipped her naan and enjoyed the sauce. I cut down to just one cup of cream and didn't notice any difference in flavor or texture. Also - used chicken breasts instead of thighs. [Spicy Southern Kitchen]

• Got my flu shot! Health officials are recommending them sooner rather than later this year. Also, if you get yours from your medical provider, it's a good chance to talk about a COVID booster. I've been debating it since we have an unvaccinated toddler and I work with the public. My doctor said she would recommend it, but your mileage may vary.