Share The Love
Actually just take this month to treat yourself, and other thoughts from lockdown
January & February 2021
How the heck did this past month feel like a full year unto itself? Jeezy creezy, I can’t keep up with the news - an insurrection, an inauguration, covid spikes, vaccine rollouts, social media reckoning, wall street rebellion, oh my - but after 12 months of doing this newsletter, it has been a great exercise in keeping engaged. Skipping right through January then, which as it turned out was (as one twitter user described it) “three 2020s in a trench coat”, let us step carefully yet optimistically into February. Forget the Hallmark Valentine’s schmaltz, take this month to celebrate the people, places and things you love - most of all, treat yourself as often as possible. If not now, when? Keep going kids, there is light - and hopefully travel days - ahead.
Let’s stay connected: Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, Blog, Website
Travel Dreaming
Check the latest vaccinations rollout updates here (Israel, UAE, UK leading)
22 ways to (eventually) be a healthier traveler in 2021
The Gentlemen of ‘Outlander’ have a series exploring Scotland “Men in kilts”
US joins other nations is requiring mandatory negative coronavirus tests for all international travelers inbound before boarding their flights.
Everyone is sick of influencers, celebrities, etc selfishly traveling to Dubai and the Caribbean (or attempting to cut the vaccine line)
UK restricts borders to some amid major effort to curb variant
Rough month for the Netherlands between government resigning & curfew riots
Italy faces government crisis also due to resignations
UK anticipates about 300,000 Hong Kong citizens to take advantage of a new visa route to leave the city and settle in the U.K. after passport changes
The UK and EU are already fighting after vaccine blocking Northern Ireland
Culture Club
The short version of the Gamestop vs Wall Street Story
(you might want to rewatch ‘The Big Short’ for revenge context)Black Lives Matter movement gets nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Indigenous TikTok creators are leading the way, see here and here
Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman was the greatest inauguration moment, with second being the tidal wave of Bernie’s mittens memes
The Flaming Lips Bubble concert - is this a safer solution?
Director Edgar Wright & Empire Magazine team up for a special issue celebrating celebrating the joy of cinema, 40 stars/directors share memories
People really wanted a sexy costume drama because “Bridgerton” was apparently watched by 82 million people – 41% of Netflix's global audience
French shows “Call my agent” and “Lupin” on Netflix are also very binge-worthy
We lost two great actresses: Cicely Tyson and Cloris Leachman
With the passing of Larry King, revisit his most memorable interviews
History Corner
Hank Aaron one of baseball’s greatest all-around players passes, visit his legacy
If you watched ‘The Dig’ here is the real story of the historical find at Sutton Hoo
Finally adding hero Harriet Tubman on US $20 bill is happening
A 2,000 year old a Roman food counter unearthed in the ancient city of Pompeii.
Fight The Good fight
Whew, it’s been a month. I don’t think I need to recap the insurrection at the US capitol, we are all still living with it. But this Atlantic article ‘The American Abyss’ by Yale history professor is a must read and maybe ‘The Worst President in History’ too since it is warranted. Ultimately, I think we all need a rest and take care of ourselves for a beat, but keep fighting the good fight where you can. And above all, don’t forget…