things i think about while powerwashing 99

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Hello everyone!

I am reporting live from the Taiwan here — writing with unfamiliar methods and in yet-to-be familiar timezones. As soon as I landed I’ve been lightly inundated with meals with family, family friends and a crash course in how to refer to your relatives via a Taiwanese style wedding.

From what I’ve gathered, the term “Taiwanese style” is just meant to be used as a way to say that it’s not exactly traditional Chinese but definitely not a western wedding. My relatives (and my new ones) started the morning out in an engagement ceremony that seemed fairly Chinese (I’d never been to a Chinese wedding before so I didn’t know either) where the bride went around to the groom’s family and the two families exchanged gifts. We then moved to some lunch at a super Taiwanese place (coffee ribs are ... interesting) and had some great 7-11 coffee.

When we got a chance, my dad and I escaped the festivities to try and find some good coffee. After driving through circuitous allies, we found ourselves in the parking lot of a temple being accosted by two dogs who were very interested in our bread. The coffee was brewed via V60 and vibes (V60 is the cone dripper, vibes are vibes) and was pretty good for being out in the kind-of countryside.

I guess it kind of was the countryside. The buildings were mainly industrial metal-sided ones but combined with the overgrowth sneakily creeping up the sides and the beautiful sky it made me have a sneaky thought of “what if I lived here.” No! It is so inconvenient there. NYC is getting to me.

The night ended with a long banquet filled with drinking and singing and bingo (I won!!!). I think this part was more Chinese style in that there was a lot of sitting and food and the bride and groom came around to say hello to everyone. So guess I haven’t really gone to a Chinese (traditional) style wedding yet. I think I will later this year though.

Congrats to the bride (my second aunt) and the groom (my new second uncle). I had a great time!

museum of the week: fubon art museum

Ok so originally I had not planned for there to be this section but I was able to find a museum that was open on Monday in Taipei (Mondays are the museum rest day here in Taiwan it seems). Fubon is an art gallery that opened recently and is terribly expensive (shoutout to The Met).

I signed up for the Van Gogh exhibit in particular and it really exceeded my expectations. Who knew that the visual representation of a man falling into crushing suicidal depression would be so beautiful!

As I tiptoed around the throes of people, I found myself staring at one in particular: Still Life with Meadow Flowers and Roses. I’m finding that I particularly enjoy super contrasty pictures and this one is no exception.

Sorry but the rest of this is gonna be in bullet points I’m writing this in my phone:

• I liked the QR code audio tour. But I feel like we could’ve put descriptions next to every painting anyway.
• Us Taiwanese people love lining up and this event was no different. It was pretty funny!
• After being in NY I have been spoiled by the pictures I’ve been seeing. There were a few more famous pictures that were only shown via TV screen and I was like “Oh hey, I’ve seen that one.”
• I also went to a gallery with paintings by Sanyu and Yun Gee. I like Yun Gee’s better.

anonymous subscriber news

To whoever it is at the bottom — thanks for catching up and hope you enjoy it! Please enjoy the newsletter in batches or weekly — I don’t get any stats on if people open this newsletter so I just assume at least 5-10 of you are reading weekly.

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• anonymous subscriber just went to New York and I don't get the point of the Vessel, its just a funny looking circular staircase you pay to climb
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• anonymous subscriber submits: not particularly news, but whatever: I have not been following this newsletter as thoroughly as I should be, glad I took the time to catch myself up this morning! Even more glad to see you're doing well and are enjoying NYC, never would've guessed you'd finally leave silicon valley LOL. Read in one of ur recent editions reminiscing your good times at the Exponent. Got me thinking right now, too -- miss the good times with you, bud!

animal of the week

The LeBron James/Steph Curry/Michael Jordan/Kareem Abdul Jabaar of animal of the week esteemed subscriber Emi Chan RETURNS with some great animal content.

This is a gulf coast toad that lives in Jason’s outdoor potted plants. Sometimes Jason will turn on his porch light to attract insects so this guy can have an easy dinner. — Esteemed subscriber Emi Chan

See you all next week for the big 100!