Dear readers -
I come to you with positivity and love. May in Indianapolis is a special month and this one has not disappointed.
Let’s jump in.
VeeCon and Podium Life
Gary Vaynerchuk brought his VeeCon event to Indianapolis, May 18-20. I managed to secure a media credential through Podium Life and I made good use of it. Cool, huh? Even cooler? Gary Vee and his team held the opening media event at Maven Space, my wife’s coworking space. So there’s that.
I got 6 minutes with Gary and we talked about marketing, motorsports and the Indy 500. You can read it all about it, here.
VeeCon is such a symbol of positivity and kindness and creativity and the belief that anything is possible. As I type this, I am listening to Guy Raz from How I Built This and his takeaway from interviewing countless entrepreneurs: they persevere despite being told no. As someone trying to build Podium Life - this weekend and Guy’s words were exactly what I wanted I needed.
My hip-hop cup is fulleth
As a semi-professional hermit, you’ll be surprised I ventured out on a Thursday night to see Busta Rhymes in concert. Not much gets me out of the house, but going to see a hip-hop legend will do it. With Busta’s ties to De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, this was especially meaningful to me.
And man, he’s still go it. His impeccable flow, versatility and sense of humor were on display and so were his hits. What a night. I may go out again.
Break ya neck!
Who wants a Lil’ Inc! sticker?
It’s perfect for your laptop, beer fridge, a bumper or on your trapper keeper.
Let me know if you want one by leaving a comment.
My love for the Natural-Disaster-Action Movie (written by me and GPT4)
Oh, action-disaster flicks, how you thrill us, With your CGI cataclysms so monstrous, Your plots may be thin, your science fictitious, Yet, our popcorn-munching selves find you delicious.
From twisters and quakes to the meteors' flight, You light up the screen with scenes of pure fright. Your heroes, so brave, their tasks Herculean, In the face of Earth’s wrath, they stand as a bulwark, unyielding.
We cheer for their triumphs, gasp at their falls, Hooked by the spectacle that enthralls. For in every wave, tornado, or comet, Lies a heart-thumping, earth-shaking cinematic sonnet.
From towering tsunamis to the shifting earth's crust, You've mastered the art of spectacle, in you we trust. So here's to you, action-disaster movie, Your fiery explosions, your tempests groovy. Despite your flaws, we'll always be fans, Waiting eagerly for your next wild plans.
San Andreas - Ah, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson doing what he does best: carrying an entire movie on his giant shoulders. My personal crush, Alexandra Daddario is perfect. The script? Filled with cracks (get it?). The special effects? Top-notch. Not the most cerebral of disaster movies, but a ride you won’t want to end.
2012 - Boy, Director Roland Emmerich didn't hold back a bit on this one, huh? Almost got to the point of being laugh-out-loud ridiculous. Still, gotta give it up for those eye-popping visuals, and Cusack brought his A-game. Critics might've been a bit harsh - it's not the worst, but don't go in expecting a masterpiece. And Woody Harrelson? Man, he's just superb.
The Day After Tomorrow - This is exactly what you want from this genre - totally over-the-top and insane special effects. Quaid and Gyllenhaal did their thing well enough, and the effects? Not too shabby, considering the film's age.
Crawl - Who knew that mixing a hurricane with alligators would be like tossing Mentos into a Diet Coke? Unexpectedly explosive! It's not your usual disaster flick - it's more like a roller-coaster ride with reptilian teeth. You'll be clinging to your popcorn for dear life. A ridiculously entertaining mashup of weather gone wild and gator-geddon!
The Impossible - Not your typical disaster flick, this one tugs at the heart strings. The performances were outstanding and the tsunami scenes were harrowing. This film is a testament to human resilience. The most normal of all the movies listed here.
Greenland - This one was surprisingly decent. Butler's performance was solid, and the film managed to balance tension and character development well. The concept isn't new, but the execution was refreshing. It's not just about cataclysmic disasters; it's about human resilience, relationships, and survival against all odds.
Geostorm - This film is like a cheese pizza with extra cheese, and then some more cheese on top. The dialogue? As smooth as a gravel road. The plot? More overblown than a balloon at a kid's party. Yet, there's something oddly captivating about its enthusiastic nonsense. It's not going to bag any Oscars, but if you're just looking for a movie to keep your popcorn company, this one's a hoot.
Twister - A classic! Paxton and Hunt had great chemistry, and the special effects still hold up pretty well. It's not high art, but it's a fun, thrilling ride that never gets old.
Moonfall - Kinda like ordering a fancy dessert and getting a ding dong. The idea behind it was quite titillating, but the way it was delivered? About as useful as a pitchfork in a sand trap. The acting wasn't exactly Oscar-worthy either. But hey, if you've run out of paint to watch dry, it's an option.
The Hurricane Heist - This one was a hot mess, but in the most hilarious way possible. It's so bad, it's almost good. If you're in the mood for some mindless fun, give it a go.
The Wandering Earth - This Chinese entry to the disaster genre was refreshing. The visual effects were stunning, and the story was ambitious. It felt a little long, but it was worth the watch. It's great to see non-Hollywood disaster movies making their mark.
What movie did I miss?
Consumption
Movies/Shows
A lot of natrual- disaster-action movies (see above)
The Wrath of Man - don’t mess with Jason Statham
Books
Four Thousand Hours (it might be better to read, but listening to it has been kinda annoying)
Links
Surreal Photos Reveal the Destructive Aftermath of the Cumbre Vieja Volcano Eruption
Indy Maven Wins Best Newsletter in 2022
Japanese Buildings that are Shaped Like the Things They Sell
Why Ted Lasso’s Shoe Game Is So Strong
So excited for the GRAN TURISMO movie.
This is the end. Summer is around the corner. Have a good one.
Much love, Daniel
lol Alexandra Daddario could be Leslie's twin!