things i think about while powerwashing 132

Shortcut to anonymous subscriber submission link: https://forms.gle/2MABf8jNr2V8kEY87

Since early June of last year, I’ve been blessed with an extremely awesome remote job. No matter where my laptop and I are, I can work (strange words, but true nonetheless).

It’s not always perfect. If I didn’t live with Simba I think I’d go insane from sitting along all day in my apartment — no matter how active the Slack channels at work. But in the cases where even Simba can’t alleviate the crushing pressure of solitude I look outside.

Coworking is one of the joys of a remote work lifestyle. Even though my friends present aren’t doing the same lines of work (probably better that they aren’t), I’ve found since college that working with other people present seems to make me a bit more productive. This is when the office-lurkers who read this newsletter during their commute would say this is just like working in an office. They may be right, but I do enjoy the added benefit of enjoying the company of the person I am co-working with.

Once the who has been nailed down, the other problem (besides when. what and why have been similarly nailed down.) is where. Previously when esteemed subscriber Rachel Inman was my coworker, we’d meet up at a WeWork somewhere in Midtown to work. But when not co-working with, well, coworkers, I’ve been hiding out in cafes and hanging out in others apartments.

Coworking in cafes, though, has been a pretty great challenge. First is the awkwardness of taking a meeting in a public space. The microphone for my Airpods suck (you sound like you’re underwater, my coworkers say). Add on the terrible voice isolation it tries to do — that usually doesn’t turn out too well. Which is a shame since some of these cafes are so nice to work in. Partners (various locations) is pretty great but my favorite thus far has been Saint George Coffee in West Village. There’s wifi and the sun coming in from the windows really helps with the vibe.

I also have to give a shoutout to three-legged cat if you’re not doing any work that involves meetings. Though a little hard to get to, it has wifi and ac, as well as some quality coffee offerings.

But it’s not always easy. Before (or after, if I forget) I buy a coffee, I try to ask the barista if there’s a no laptop policy. I’ve found the amount of cafes with policies like these on the rise (understandable, but unfortunate for me) with a lot of cafes banning laptops specifically on the weekend. The economics of staying in a coffee shop for an eight hour workday are definitely not stellar — the worst case scenario for a cafe is if you order one $3 coffee and camp in a large table, taking video calls all day long and annoying other customers.

I’ve found no real answer to this strange tension between me (the laptop-sitting gremlin in the corner) and the coffee shops, except that I generally don’t feel comfortable working at a coffee shop for the entire day.

This is all to complain about a very niche luxury that I am afforded due to the nature of my work. Anyway, hope you all have a great week in the office :).

museum of the week

Right down the hall from the Bone Museum (in the same McKibbin Loft) is the Gecko Gallery! It’s a little different than what we usually see — most of the things in this section are old and dead. These species are merely close to that (they are extinct).

When you walk into the little room you’ll be greeted by the person manning the front desk and the reptile manning the room. You can choose to be climbed on and be lizard-blessed as you enter the gallery. Or you can be lame. I can guess which option you’d take.

The guy who ran the place (do not remember his name three months afterwards sorry) was super passionate about the lizards, showing me and esteemed subscriber Rachel Inman all the little guys hiding in the nooks and crannies. The camouflage gave me two realizations. 1: It’s kind of beautiful that these creatures have evolved to fit in with the natural surroundings. 2: I would immediately die in a rainforest.

Along with being passionate about the lizards, he also works to conserve them! The geckos on display are just a selection of his collection. He told us he had a whole warehouse of other endangered geckos that people transport to him in order to help conserve the species.

Honestly a great add-on to the Bone Museum, but if you’re queasy to human remains I’d recommend going straight here!

anonymous subscriber news

Yes it is quite laughable compared to others but it does exist! It didn't feel that much different than in Europe (guess I got lucky this time). The boarding process was much easer but ... I was in business class yohoho.

Submit here: https://forms.gle/2MABf8jNr2V8kEY87

• anonymous subscriber said: speaking of nails i’ve swapped to a new pattern after my mom said my blue nails were too avant garde for the bay area
• anonymous subscriber bought 3 pairs of pants at a consignment store, 10/10 recommend for quality and price
• anonymous subscriber said: american rail systems are laughable compared to others but at least they exist??

animal of the week

Yeah no one contributed this week so Imma just start hitting y'all with the vacation photos. Enjoy these burrowing owls in Badlands National Park!

Send me your animal photos at ryan@torrtle.co!