Issue #32

Sad news, Dr Who, the best sparking water in the world, ton of links

Mar 08, 2024

Dear readers -

My mom passed away on February 26. She was the biggest fan of this little newsletter and the first paid subscriber. Truth be told, this has devastated me. Even when you know how a story ends, the ending can be gut wrenching.

My mom was friendly, chatty, sociable, gregarious and an extrovert. I’m friendly but that is where the comparisons end. She loved this newsletter and would remind me after each issue. I think she enjoyed reading them because she got a glimpse into the life of a quiet introvert. Over the past 2.5 years, she experienced 31 issues covering my weird takes on marketing, bucket lists, surrealism, interviews, art projects, tv/shows/books I’m reading, travel, jobs and much much more. Of course we talked, and a lot of meaningful life chats happened in a hospital room, but I like to think this newsletter gave her an extended directors cut version of my life.

I am in the midst of mourning and figuring out all of my mom’s life stuff (which is an awful combination) but I wanted to write something soon, to let her know I’m going to be ok.

Currently accepting applications for a new #1 fan of this newsletter!

Doctor Who Dalek Sprinkler

I grew up in England with the original Doctor Who and the Raymond Cusick designed Daleks haunting me as I laid in bed.

In England, it rained. There was no need for complex irrigation systems.

Fast forward 30++ years and I now live in the Midwest, where summer’s can be best described as part Saudi Arabia and part Saudi Arabia. It gets hot.

So my art concept combines the incredible world of Doctor Who with the needs of every true red blooded American – a perfectly GREEN, manicured lawn.

Here is the original sketch:

And here is a rendering:

Who wants one?

Give a gift subscription

Smeraldina Sparkling Water

I first discovered Smeraldina a few years ago at Due Amici in Columbus, Ohio – a delicious Italian restaurant that serves traditional dishes with a modern approach. To date, this is the best sparkling water I’ve ever tasted. If you know anything about me, you know I enjoy at good sparkling water – as evidence by a Pinterest board, for goodness sakes. From their site.

Acqua Smeraldina is the premium bottled artesian water for highly health-conscious people. Acqua Smeraldina is pure artesian water from the beautiful island of Sardinia (Italy), where the lifestyle is healthier and people live longer: that’s why it is known as the island of centenarians.

Who doesn’t want to live until they’re a hundred?

And now for my 1st review – which is based on a number of things: Brand, Taste, Bubbles, Availability and Price. Some of these may seem a bit arbitrary, but you have to understand that I am a brand guy. So I admit to skewing these categories to my own interests.

Smeraldina Sparkling Water is the best I’ve ever had. Delicious paired with Italian food with a perfect bubble composition and a reasonable price ($3 for a bottle). Extra points for mentioning centenarians in their brand story. It is hard to find in Indianapolis, but I will keep looking. And I know what I will be on look out for on my future travels…perhaps even to Sardinia.

Grazie Smeraldina.