The Monthly Mention - February 2022

The Monthly Mention - February 2022
Photo by Christie Kim / Unsplash

The Monthly Mention - February 2022

My monthly recommendations newsletter “The Monthly Mention” covers what I’ve been enjoying from the world of Books, Movies, Podcasts, YouTube etc.

Again, it’s pretty miserable in this part of the world at the moment so I've been stuck at home or a cafe doing a lot of reading so I have a few books mentioned here. They are quite different from the non-fiction books I tend to recommend. Also a nod to my new favourite brew - Cold Brew Coffee.


Quick Overview

📕 Book - “Open” - Andre Agassi

🎧 Podcast - The Rich Roll Podcast

🥤 Beverage - Cold Brew Coffee

📘 Book - "Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes" -  Alastair Humphreys

🖥 Webpage - “Five Life Affirming Words We Should Bring Back Into Use” - From Positive News

📙 Book - “The Man in the Tent” - Tony Beardsall


📕 BOOK

Open” - Andre Agassi

My wife and I are both read this at the same time. She also loved it. We weren’t even watching Tennis when Andre was at his peak. I’m big tennis fan but haven’t read many books on Tennis, aside from the excellent “Levels of the Game” by John McPhee (also highly recommended). I’ve had this one by Aggasi on my 'to read list' for the longest time but I was kicked into reading it by Ali Abdaal’s weekly newsletter. He thoroughly enjoyed and recommended. I think you will enjoy this even if you don’t like tennis, sports, or even biographies. I’m always dubious of autobiographies as I question the honesty of the writer, but not with this one. He lets it all out. Regular guy battening his demons. Like 99% of us.

🎧 PODCAST

The Rich Roll Podcast

I can't believe I’ve never listened to Rich’s podcast before! Affectionately known as RRP. I’d heard the name but wasn't sure what he was famous for. Apparently, he has like 200million podcast downloads, so he is a big deal in this space. I heard him a recent episode of the Tim Ferriss show - where else? Rich’s story is pretty inspiring. He thought his life was over at 30, he was a washed-out alcoholic lawyer who on leaving rehab poured himself into 80 hour workweeks and lots of cheeseburgers! On his fitness journey he eventually finds a plant based diet and ultra-marathons. This changed the whole trajectory of his life. He documents this in his book “Finding Ultra”, which I also read this month.

His podcasts are varied with different styles of show, one being “Roll On” which is basically two mates discussing current events and culture (so good!), he also has shows with his wife Julie along with his bread-and-butter inspiring interviews. Dealing with ultra-running, addiction, creativity, you name it - he has a diverse catalogue of guests. Some episodes may not be my cup of tea but there will be something here for everyone. Well worth checking out. I’ve been doing a deep dive. He has an inspiring story and a really engaging personality and style. He is one cool guy. Great interviewer. I could listen all day.

🥤 BEVERAGE

Cold Brew Coffee

This month I’ve been cutting down on caffeine. One cup of coffee a day for me (most days anyways!). I took this as an opportunity to try a few different brewing methods other than my usual double espressos. In “Finding Ultra” Rich Roll mentioned that cold brew coffee has up to 70% less acidity. So I gave it a go. Wow. Steeping for 24 hours in cold water really brings out the rich dark chocolate flavours. It’s like a morning shot of 90% cocoa chocolate using my regular go to coffee beans. Delicious!

I’ve been making it using the AeroPress. But you can use pretty much anything to brew it, jam jar and cold water would do the trick. Watch this YouTube tutorial for the recipe and process with AeroPress. Otherwise search for recipes using your normal brewing process.

📘 BOOK

"Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes" -  Alastair Humphreys

So I didn’t read this one this month, I'm cheating a little. I've read it a couple of times previously but bought as a present for someone so had a flick through it again. It's one of my go to present books, especially for kids and teenagers. It's a coffee style book that you dip in and out of. The goal of the book is to basically get you out of the house with minimal equipment and expense to have an adventure. Rather than grand adventures that seem beyond most of us - Everest, the Appalachian trail - Humphreys recommends micro, bite sized adventures that you can even have in your back garden or local hills. Very inspiring. Lots of ideas to expand your horizons when it comes to the great outdoors. One of my all-time favourites so had to get it into my Monthly Mentions somehow.

🖥 WEBPAGE

“Five Life Affirming Words We Should Bring Back Into Use” - From Positive News

I enjoyed the article. But I especially enjoy the premise of the website. Positive News. The mainstream news is by nature very negative. Most of life can actually be quite positive - small acts of kindness and love between mates, friends and strangers. These are way more common than the media (and especially social media) would have us believe. Because they are so common, they are not extraordinary - and hence not newsworthy. Depressing news story’s are the exceptions, hence out of the ordinary and that’s what makes them “news”. I’ve not spent a lot of time on the site, but I will explore some more. We all need some positivity!

If you enjoy the specific post I’ve recommended here, you may also like the podcast “The Allusionist” by Helen Zaltzman which explores the etymology and use of language. Way more entertaining than it sounds!

📙BOOK

“The Man in the Tent” - Tony Beardsall

Random find on Prime Books via the Kindle app. It was about tents. That was enough for me. I love tents. In fact, any outdoor gear. So I thought I’d give it a go. Essentially the writer gives up the rat race - after a divorce and job loss - and decides to live in a tent and only work at the weekends for minimum wage. He gets the bug for frugal living and keeps living in a tent for years. This book is about the first four years of his new lifestyle. The other 2 (possibly 3) books are about him continuing to live in a tent. (I will get round to reading them soon I’m sure).

I think it appealed because it’s the mid-life man’s dream to just up sticks one day, pop off to the middle of nowhere with his tent, sleeping bag and a few books and rough it out for a while. Only for a while mind you, Tony has taken it to the extreme. I can’t do that unfortunately. So, I did it vicariously via this book.

Funnily enough I was listening to the podcast interview of Rich Roll mentioned above and he sleeps in tent in his back garden. How very stoic! I think he has a bigger garden than me somehow or I would be giving that a go.

📖 QUOTE FOR REFLECTION:

“He who is contented is rich.” - Lao Tzu


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