Hello Reader, from Nick in Austin, Texas. One month after my book launch! Thanks to everyone who supported and shared ❤️

In this issue: a cool tool for public WiFi, Southwest row 23 flying hack, how to host a clothing swap, visiting a wolfdog park, my latest everyday-travel purchase, two great reviews, and more.

Why you’re getting this: I'm Nick Gray and this is my Friends Newsletter. I send this every month to interesting people I’ve connected with and friends I want to keep in touch with. You can un-subscríbe any time and I won't be mad. I won't even be notified!

photo of Nick Gray riding a bike wearing blue shirt and yellow shorts — Me last night, photo by Neville, these ebikes are still $329 at Costco and I still love them.

Random Links

📺 The Best Way To Answer "So What Do You Do?" by Clay Hebert

Nice TEDx talk that gives a better way of answering the question. Like a turbo-charged elevator pitch.

✈️ Southwest Airlines family flying hack: row 23

"Southwest divides the cabin in sections and flight attendants serve drinks to a section. Row 23 is the first row of the back section. You get your drinks first! But on a 737-700, sit in row 17." See her caption for more info, via Jonathan Wegener.

🍉 American Party Game (Instagram) (on TikTok)

My video went sort of viral on the 4th of July. Filming a game where we tried to crush the watermelons between our legs. Spoiler: it was nearly impossible. Also add me on TikTok here.

🍴 Camping spork / fork / knife, $4 on Amazon

I carry one of these in my backpack at all times. I rarely need it, but I'm always happy when I get to pull it out and use it.

🐺 Visiting a Wolfdog Sanctuary in Texas

I wanted to visit a wolfdog place but ONLY if they'd let me get in the cages. Finally I found a spot outside of Houston. This is an article on my blog with lots of pictures.

🤠 What's Up with Austin? by David Perell

An interesting defense: "Austin is a mediocre city, but a great place to live."

🦄 The ‘Shamanification’ of the Tech CEO

"From fruit-only diets to dopamine fasting, Silicon Valley founders flaunt self-deprivation like a misguided pursuit of wellness. But there’s more to it," via Mahlen Morris.

⚡️ The 36 Best Icebreaker Questions for Work

A great list of job or interview questions that I collected from the book Talent by Tyler Cowen and Daniel Gross. Including:

“Why do you want to work here?”
“What are ten words your spouse or partner or friend would use to describe you?”
“Which of your beliefs are you most likely wrong about?”
“How do you think this interview is going?”
“How successful do you want to be?”
“What subreddits, blogs, or online communities do you enjoy?”

Cool Tool: NeverSSL

I use this free site whenever I'm at hotels, airport, in-flight WiFi, etc to quickly get the login page. Just type this into your web browser: www.neverSSL.com

This comic sort of explains how and why it works, and when to use it:

how airports lie to you with DNS text in white background

2 of My Favorite Reviews

These are two of my favorite reviews that came in for my new book:

You can find my book The 2-Hour Cocktail Party on Amazon or anywhere books are sold online.

I got 140+ 5-star reviews on Amazon! Isn't that nuts? I'm nearly there to my goal of 200. That makes me so happy. Plus 23 stellar reviews on Goodreads.

Did you read The 2-Hour Cocktail Party yet? What did you think?

Email me back and let me know if you got it. I'm making a list of anyone who has hosted a party using my party formula. It is my big 1-year goal to inspire 500 new party hosts.

Quotes

"If you're cremated after you die, you can be put into an hourglass and continue to participate in family game night."
via @mariana057 on Twitter

"Looking at a crowd of strangers brings me almost as much awe as looking at deep field images of the universe. Every person in the crowd is a galaxy of memories, dreams, hopes, fears, longing, sadness, regret, love."
via @waitbutwhy on Twitter

a pack of Cig Newtons — Just a little something to take the edge off, via @blumpkinspicedlatte on IG

How to Host a Clothing Swap

I wrote a detailed new article, How to Host a Clothing Swap, including a 7-minute long video tour of a successful women's clothing swap that I attended.

One thing that shocked me: women consistently said they like swaps because they are against fast fashion. That would never have crossed my mind as a reason to gather, but it seemed to be important to many of the attendees 🤷🏼‍♂️

women holding some clothes in a clothing swap meetup — I toured this clothing swap in Austin then interviewed the hosts for their tips.

My biggest take-aways are that:

You should probably host a clothing swap for your friends. It is pretty easy to organize and THEY WILL LOVE YOU for it.
Bring hangers! And a collapsible garment rack. Or lots of table space.

As a small plug: the hosts used the framework from my book to throw this party. The 2-Hour Cocktail Party works for any type of event: a clothing swap, a book swap, a cocktail party, even a neighborhood driveway hang.

Read the Article

The End

Thanks for reading my Friends Newsletter.

I'm flying to Vancouver on Wednesday night, then going on my first Cunard cruise with my friend Tynan. We're stopping in San Francisco on July 24th and getting off in Los Angeles on July 26th. Tell me if you live there and maybe I'll do a meetup. I'm excited: my first time on Cunard. I've heard it is ultra-fancy and a much different vibe.

Oh one more thing! Podcasts and newsletters: what do you subscribe to? Which podcasts and newsletters do you like that are somewhat small? Can I send a free copy of my book to the authors or hosts? I am trying to get booked on more podcasts (like these) or included in newsletters. Any advice is appreciated.

That's all for now. Have a great week!

🤠 Nick Gray