Dear readers - welcome to June. We’re about to head into the unbearably hot time of year. It’s gonna be a summer of cannonballs, tank tops and shin sweat. I hope y’all are ready.
Lots to cover in this issue. Let’s jump right in!
Podium Life Update
First of all, Josef Newgarden won the Indianapolis 500, which is about as cool as it gets. Here are his Race Weekend Essentials featured on PL. May was great for other reasons too. We had our best month in terms of website traffic and social growth. Here’s why:
SEO investment starting to pay off (this is the long game)
Prize giveaways (drove social interaction & brand awareness)
IndyCar.com featuring our content (adding domain strength and referral traffic)
Content diversity (our mixture of brand and original content hit the right tone)
Perseverance & Positivity
Starting something from scratch is about finding that winning formula. It’s a bit like chess. Some moves work, some don’t quite pan out. Growing a company involves trial and error, some of it involves patience, some of it involves luck, and some of it comes from outside help. I often remind myself that this project only launched at the end of January. I am proud of where we are today and what we can become.
Tris·kai·dek·a·pho·bi·a or 13 years without alcohol
13 is my favorite number which means I am not triskaidekaphobic and may or may not be a Taylor Swift fan. That part is none of your business. Today is a celebration, because it marks 13 years of being alcohol free. Yep - not a drop of alcohol. Not even those fake beers or wines. Lucky number 13.
The hundreds or thousands of poor decisions I made as a drinker, led to one of my best - quitting alcohol. Thank god.
I am free. I am free of hangovers, regret, bar tabs, dumb decisions, and declining health. I am a better human. I am more successful in the areas of life that matter to me. I wake up clear headed and without that little or massive headache. And I feel free. When you are drinking and know you shouldn’t be, it’s a trap. You feel it, but you justify that feeling. The thing is, that feeling only gets heavier. You can’t outrun it. I am so thankful to have escaped it.
My bank account is happier too. 13 years x 52 weeks x $100 = $67,600. I believe $100 a week is being conservative. I’m using this as an example, because I don’t really care about money in that way - but it is hard data. The more important things have improved too.
Relationships, health (both physical and mental), zest of life, career, being my authentic self, and dealing with my own shit, are all better as a result of this decision. And although I ultimately took this step, I am thankful to this universe for responding to me.
Instead of becoming a drunk sommelier, I became a sparking water connoisseur. There is always a silver lining. And so today, I am gonna hit the bubbles haaaarrrrdd.
Over the years, I have met incredible humans that overcame their own demons, battles and addictions. They are warriors. I am in awe of them and thankful for every moment I’ve had with them. Thank you for inspiring me.
If anyone reading this suspects they have a problem with any substance and feels trapped, I want you to know that there is a community out there for you. You don’t need to solve this disease by yourself. In fact, you just need to take one step - it can be a leap or one foot in front of the other. And if that first step is responding to this post, I would be honored.
It’s time to celebrate.
Surrealist Road Trip
I recently decided that I am adding bucket lists into my life. My first one? A Surrealist road trip across Europe - what are the best museums to visit and explore. I was aware of some great options for both Dalí and Magritte, but thought I would ask ChatGTP to do the legwork for me. Not bad at all.
Start: The Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum, Figueres, Spain Begin your trip in Figueres, Spain, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. Visit the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum, which holds the most comprehensive collection of Dalí's artwork.
Stop 2: Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona, Spain Next, head to Barcelona to visit the Joan Miró Foundation, featuring the works of this Catalan surrealist painter and sculptor.
Stop 3: The Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid, Spain Then, travel to Madrid and visit the Reina Sofia Museum. It houses works from Salvador Dalí and other Surrealist artists.
Stop 4: The Pompidou Centre, Paris, France Journey to Paris, France, to visit the Pompidou Centre. Here, you'll find a collection of Surrealist works among their extensive modern art collection.
One thing I need to confirm from my own research is if the Centre de Pompidou Musée National d’Art Moderne has a wall of André Breton’s collection that he housed at his studio at 42 Rue Fontaine.
Stop 5: The Musée Magritte Museum, Brussels, Belgium Travel to Brussels, Belgium, to visit the Musée Magritte Museum, dedicated to the works of the Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte.
Stop 6: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands Head north to Holland and visit the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, home to a number of works by Surrealist artists.
Stop 7: The Sigmund Freud Museum, Vienna, Austria Proceed to Vienna, Austria to visit The Sigmund Freud Museum. Though not a Surrealist museum per se, Freud's theories heavily influenced Surrealist thought and this museum provides interesting context.
Final Stop: The Salvador Dalí Museum, Berlin, Germany Finish your road trip in Berlin, Germany with a visit to the Salvador Dalí Museum. It has an impressive collection of the artist's graphics, sculptures, coins, and more.
Next step? Figuring out the time to do this! Bonus? Soccer teams abound in these locations.
May I present to you, Lord Incandela
That’s right, I’m a Lord of the Principality of Sealand. It really has a nice ring to it. I am also a land owner, in case you were wondering. Now begs the question, do I update my LinkedIn? I could have become a Baron or Sir, but this just felt right. Lord Incandela.
Don’t be intimidated. You can still make eye contact with me and I promise not to change.
Consumption
All things going into my mind.
Books
The Alchemist - an all time fave. This is probably the 5th time going through this.
Blinkist the App. I just started using it and I think I love it. I’ve already listened to 12 Rules for Life and Unlearn and Living in Flow.
Movies/TV
John Wick 4. The. Best. One. Yet. The cast, cinematography, fashion, locations, choreography and ending were all fantastic.
Raiders of the Lost Ark. My eldest son Ollie and I are going through Spielberg’s catalog this summer.
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. First time seeing it!
Ted Lasso, S4. Sad and funny, beautiful, and filled with positivity. It may have jumped the shark no less than 15 times, but I can overlook that. Gonna miss this show. Be a goldfish.
Links
Sir Jackie Stewart: ‘In another life I would have been a Beatle’
The Surrealist work of Natasha Chomko
Disney Just Laid Off The Pixar Employee Who 'Saved' Toy Story 2
Deputies accuse man of using Nintendo ‘Duck Hunt’ pistol during robbery
Lionsgate Officially Announces ‘John Wick 5’ in Early Development
Racing Game History: Namco’s Pole Position (1982)
15 Bizarre Surrealist Films That Will Leave You Scratching Your Head
How Many People John Wick Kills In All 4 Movies
It’s a wrap on issue 20! Take care out there.
Much love, Daniel