Plum Nuggets: Horse Gallops, Stilettos, Astronauts & More :)

Fall’s in full effect, y’all. And, much as I adore the stunning show Mama Nature puts on here in Mississauga, the drop in temperature’s enough for me to hunker down inside more often (and gear up for the Canadian winter just around the corner!) It also means I spend a lot more time checkin’ out nifty things online.

This week, I’m dropping some plum nuggets on you. (Head out of the gutter, toilet-bowl envisionairs. You know who you are.) In other words, stuff worth sharing. Because I’m not just about talking shop (how dry would that be?!) Sharing the simple tidbits that float your boat can be just as juicy.

Here are my top 7 for the week:

1. This most awesome device that attaches to one’s bike. And makes it sound like a mother freaking HORSE galloping when you ride. For realz. This is a thing. Can. You. Even??? (Log under: “Stuff I didn’t know existed but MUST HAVE.”)
2. This wicked-good talk with Magic Johnson from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, “View From The Top” series.
3. As a language nerd, this book by Ella Frances Sanders is seriously turning my crank. It showcases “untranslatable” words from other languages with charm-your-pants-off illustrations and explanations. My hands down fave: the Japanese word, komorebi, which represents “The sunlight that filters through the leaves of the trees.” *sigh* Because, of course, there should be a word for that. In every language. Right?  
4. These shoes were just delivered to me this week and they are gorgeous. Bonus: They definitely upped my negotiation skills during a recent contract renewal. (At least, I’m pretty sure they did. As I always say: anything is possible in a kick-ass pair of shoes.)
5. These two  off-the-cuff interviews with American astronauts Captain Jerry Linenger and Robert Curbeam, and Korean astronaut Soyeon Yi in NYC. The clips are only a few minutes each but chocked full of the real space travel Q’s you’re interested in. Like, what’s the tastiest space station food? (Hint: It’s NOT the tubed, jellied perch) and what’s the biggest inaccuracy in The Martian?
6. In honour of Halloween, this flash-fiction horror/fantasy audio reading of Malon Edwards’ tale, “The Half Dark Promise”. Haitian Creole expert, Mandalay Claude-Louis-Charles’ hypnotic narration is perfection. (Tip: Scroll to the bottom of the page for the podcast recording. To move past the lengthy intros, skip to the 5:15 mark.) (Full disclosure: The author happens to be my husband 🙂 )
7. And, finally, this cool site that will satisfy your inner font geek.

Wishing you the happiest Halloween!

Peace and pumpkin spice,

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS WORTH SHARING?

SHARE THEM BELOW, OR ON B & F’S FACEBOOK PAGE.