Friends news:

Hello Reader from your friend Nick Gray in Austin, Texas (formerly NYC).

In this issue: The "fun scale," the future of e-bikes, my trip on the BIGGEST cruise ship in the world, a good YouTube video clip, amazing tech from Google Research, how LSD can maybe restore your smell, the inside story of Facebook Marketplace, and more.

Why you’re getting this: I'm Nick Gray and this is my Friends Newsletter. I send this to people I’ve met recently, my contacts on LinkedIn, and friends I want to keep in touch with. You can un-subscríbe and I won’t be offended.

Walking on the beach in CocoCay, Bahamas -- a super fake (but actually fun) island

Random Links

😛 The Fun Scale

My friend Phillip Van Nostrand recently introduced me to this concept of Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 fun. We were drinking tea in my Austin apartment. I proposed going for a swim in Barton Creek, but complained it was cold. Phillip said: "That will be some very good Type 2 fun. Let's do it." And we did it. And it was awesome.

📺 No Signal supercut

"A collection of movie scenes where the characters can't get a mobile phone signal for plot purposes." via Benedict Evans

⚡ Google Research: Themes from 2021 and Beyond

I was blown away by the dialogue that the pretend seal had, based on the new advances in ML! (machine learning) And then the advanced image interpolations. Holy smokes, the future is interesting. via Benedict Evans

👃 What Should We Make Of Sasha Chapin's Claim That Taking LSD Restored His Sense Of Smell After COVID?

🌲 Drawings of tree roots

Hundreds of detailed cross-sectional drawings in an academic archive showing various tree roots. Pretty neat! via Benedict Evans

👖 The inside story of Facebook Marketplace

🚲 The Future of E-Bikes

📡 Maybe There’s a Use for Crypto After All

I own zero crypto but if I was going to buy some, I think Helium is neat. "Helium, a wireless network powered by cryptocurrency, hints at the practical promise of decentralized services."

🚗 I Finally Bought a Tesla and These 8 Things Surprised Me

I wrote this article 1 year ago. It has received over 17,000 views now. Read it to see a few non-obvious things that I found out after buying my Model Y. (I still love this car.)

⚕️ A spinal fluid leak derailed my life of travel and food, but taught me to find beauty in the small things

Article by my friend Jodi: "This is a condition that primarily affects women. Have heard from a lot of doctors who didn’t realize CSF leaks could be chronic."

💔 It's your friends who break your heart

Oof. Related quote from Ben Casnocha: "Losing friends to parenthood is a profound part of the experience of being in your 30’s."

❓ Talk to Stefan: Founder and CEO Coaching

I met this guy Stefan online and found his services helpful. He doesn't provide answers, per se, but asks you questions (on a call) to help work through your problems or challenges.

Stefan standing in his backyard with a real sign I made him print haha — I made Stefan take this picture so you can see he is a real person!!

He will do a free 60 minute call with any of my friends. I hired him and paid for his services for a few calls, not an ad.

BIGGEST cruise ship in the world: My Review + Photos

Some people hate cruises. Not me.

I don't drink, I don't gamble, I go to the gym twice a day, and in some ports I don't even get off the ship.

Last week I went on a cruise with my friends Tynan, Nylo, and Helen. We rode to the Caribbean on the BIGGEST cruise ship in the world.

We took a huge risk in going during COVID times! But it paid off big. I had so much fun. Nobody got sick.

I wrote a recap on my blog about it here. I’ll tell you some of my “Pro Tips” about what I learned to have a great cruise experience. Including:

The best port excursion in Roatan, Honduras (monkeys!!)
When to visit the Flowrider for zero wait times
My favorite spot at the onboard gym
How to get a balcony room with 50% more space
A free onboard cafe that serves great sandwiches
Where to snorkel at CocoCay with the most fish

Read the article here on my blog: https://nickgray.net/symphony/

Or watch this short YouTube video I made: Cruise Tips for Maximum Fun.

Quotes

“A relationship is about inventing your own language. You’ve got the jokes, you’ve got the songs, you have this anecdote that’s going to make you laugh three years later. It’s this language that you build. That’s what you mourn for when you’re losing someone you love. This language you’re not going to speak with anybody else.”

Cèline Sciamma interviewed by Alexandra Pollard in The Independent

Look at this bobcat in my parent's backyard in Texas!!

Bobcat my mother saw in her backyard in Texas! — My mother took this photo. I need a pet bobcat ASAP.

The End

Thanks for reading my Friends Newsletter.

Upcoming travel: Miami / Key West for Noah Kagan's birthday, Hawaii with my family (Oahu, Lanai, Big Island), and considering Dubai for World Expo 2020 before it closes. Anyone been? Worth it?

Do you want an advance copy of my party book? Make new friends and build big relationships when you host small parties! Perfect for happy hours, neighborhood gatherings, housewarming parties, etc. Coming to Amazon in May 2022, but I have a few manuscript copies I can send now for $10 plus $10 shipping, USA only. Email me back if you want one.

"Discover a simple formula with step-by-step instructions to host parties that help you meet new people, strengthen your existing relationships, and make you the person everyone wants to know." Honestly it is so good and I'm so proud of it. Can't wait to share with y'all.

🤠 Nick Gray

p.s. Here's the About Me on my website if you forgot who I am or where we met.