What are you enjoying right now?
Sometimes, we need to step back and ask a question like that.
Philippians 4:8 challenges believers to think and dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.” So each week the Facts & Trends staff would like to share our “Favorites” at the moment.
It might be a new book or podcast we’re enjoying or something going on in our lives we want to share. Hopefully, you’ll think about things that are your favorites right now and maybe find something else to add to that list.
Aaron Earls (@WardrobeDoor), online editor: While I’m not a particular fan of the cold weather stretching across the map right now, this time of year starts my favorite stretch of sports.
We have the college football season winding down with the first ever playoff bracket taking shape. The NFL is into the second half of the season and contenders are emerging. Plus, the NBA and NHL are underway. But more than anything else for me, college basketball has my attention. Already this season, there have been some great games between high profile programs and interesting match-ups of exciting mid-major squads.
I’m ready for the athletic drama from now through the end of the college football and NFL seasons, the NBA and NHL All-Star games, and into March for the madness that is the NCAA tournament.
Carol Pipes (@CarolPipes), editor: My recommendation this week is an article by Jody Rosen in T Magazine. With intricate detail, Rosen describes The Knowledge, a legendary test for London’s taxi drivers.
Over a period of years, a London cabby logs tens of thousands of miles learning the city’s 25,000 streets just to pass the standard requirement to drive the iconic black taxi. A taxi driver candidate must know every theater, shop, and landmark in the city, as well as every possible route from point A to point B.
Rosen points out that the future of the cabby is in question with the prevalence of GPS devices and the burgeoning market of ride shares like Uber. But for now the black London taxi and its cabby are as much a cultural icon of the city as Big Ben or Buckingham Palace.
Matt Erickson (@_Matt_Erickson), managing editor: I just purchased a Kindle Voyage e-reader and I’m loving it so far.
I’ve been a big fan of the Kindle e-ink technology because there’s no glare, so it’s easy on the eyes. And the new Voyage has the best screen resolution yet at 300 ppi. It also comes with a built-in front light that automatically adjusts the brightness of the display based on the level of light in the room. Pretty cool. I could go on and on about its many useful features.
Basically, it’s the next best reading experience to a physical book. And an e-reader has some advantages—immediate access to new content (usually at reduced prices), a portable library in one small device that’s great for traveling light, and the aforementioned adjustable light that makes reading just about anywhere possible.
So, if you’ve been thinking about trying an e-reader, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Kindle Voyage. It makes for a great reading experience.
Bob Smietana (@BobSmietana), senior writer: My favorite this week: the “Serial” podcast from “This American Life.”
Reporter and host Sarah Koenig honed her story-telling skills as a producer on “This American Life,” the award-winning weekly public radio show. Now she digs deep into the story of Adnan Syed, who was convicted in 1999 of murdering his ex-girlfriend while both were high school students in Baltimore. Syed has long-maintained his innocence, and there’s little physical evidence linking him to the crime.
At the behest of a family friend, Koenig began re-investigating the crime. It turned into a compelling whodunit, being retold in weekly segments, one hour at time. More than 5 million people have downloaded the podcast, which has captured a worldwide audience, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The latest episode—number 9 of an expected 12—debuts today. It’s well worth a listen.
Katie Shull (@KShull), graphic designer: In preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities, I went on Pillsbury.com for some ideas. It’s a great recipe site (especailly if you like easy recipes that involve cresent rolls).
They also have a cookie promotion for Christmas where they email you a recipe every day from November 28 through December 25. I signed up because I love cookies!
What has made you smile so far this week? What would be your favorite today?
