friday link love

Happy Friday, friends! To be honest with you, I’m not sure where this week went. I thought I had blinked and it was gone. There were recipe test successes and recipe test fails. And last night I went to the NYSE for a work-related event and I couldn’t help but find it impressive and slightly overwhelming. It also stuck me as ironic that I spent ten years working in finance and had never even set foot on the exchange. And now, in my new life, so to speak, I was circling the floor looking at all the screens. It was an interesting event with interesting people, but these types of things are really hard for me; they are my Achilles heel. I’d rather address a room full of five hundred people than have to mingle in a room full of people I don’t know. A wave of anxiety washes over me, and I could easily be that person in the corner of the room, clutching her wine glass and fiddling with her phone only to look busy. So I have to make myself go up to people, extend my hand, introduce myself. Sometimes it works – and they are friendly; other times, you get a sense that you have just interrupted a conversation and they’d rather be left alone.

When I was younger and had first moved to New York, I had taken up social smoking to keep me looking busy and occupied. The cigarette, for a year or so, was basically what my phone is now – a crutch. It gave me something to do and allowed me to remain with my thoughts. Thank goodness smartphones came along – though I’m not sure they are much healthier.

By the way, that electronics Shabbat I wrote about last week – it was terrific, and I can’t wait to do it again. At the beginning, I felt a little anxious and twitchy, like I was forgetting to do something. By the mid-morning I had gotten used to not having my phone around, and by the time the sun went down Saturday night, I didn’t even want to look at my phone. I felt relaxed, less anxious, free somehow. I’m going to try it again tonight through tomorrow night.

Hope you like today’s links and have a great weekend ahead. I’m hoping to do some more yoga (that’s a pic of me heading to my Sunday morning class). Also, it’s cold out, let’s make soup!

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An invention that marinated 19 years. Mary’s Marinating Sticks are coming to a Target near you. This story just made me smile. Good on Mary!

Out of network, not by choice, and facing huge health bills.

Math proves bacon really is a miracle food.

What happens when you just give money to poor people?

Why Russia is growing more xenophobic.

Which state matches your personality? I was North Carolina, huh.

This 6-year old is the youngest to run a half marathon.

A new online dating platform lets users “bribe” their dates to go on a first date with them. According to the platform’s founder, “women love presents like dogs love treats.” Uh, good luck with that one.

American education isn’t mediocre – it’s deeply unequal.

Your “healthy” diet could be quietly killing your brain.

Here’s how the Internet hurts your sleep schedule, productivity and personal life.

Texts from William Blake. Brilliant.

When I grow up, I want to be Heidi Swanson and make amazing things like this spoon butter.