Don Kowalewski
Writer. Ad Sales and Marketing. Social Media Content Creator. Aeropress Coffee. Makes the best salsa in the world.
Dad Stuff, Part 4: iPhone Cases
Don’t mean to brag, but I recently upgraded to the new iPhone 11. At one time in my life I swore up and down the iPhone 5 was the biggest an iPhone should ever be and all those newer, larger sizes were COMPLETELY unnecessary.
I was wrong. I love the size of my iPhone 11 and part of me wishes I had one size bigger (TWSS).
Now, onto the must-have cases for his nerdy Dad.
Spigen Thin Fit Classic
If this was a perfect world, I wouldn’t have a case on my iPhones at all. They are literally works of art. But, no matter what you do if using them “naked”, they scratch. Scratches bug me. Putting them in the pocket of your coat or jeans, setting them down on a table, putting them in the side pouch of your backpack – it scratches the front and back. Probably little bits of sand. Sooooo, the Spigen Thin Fit Classic is as close to “naked” as I’ve been able to find. It’s almost like having no case, but just enough to handle minor, minor drops. I treat my iPhones like they’re made of glass (which they are), so I only need a minimal protection. And when I do put it in my pocket . . .
Neoprene Sleeve
…and when I put my iPhone in my pocket, first I slip it into a neoprene sleeve. It’s like a pocket inside a pocket, but unlike the pocket on the inside of my blazer, the back pocket of my jeans, or the cargo pocket on my Dad-issued cargo shorts, this pocket is neoprene inside and always free of random bits of sand or lint that can scratch the surface. It’s smart. And acts just like a regular pocket …inside a pocket. A pocket-protector, if you will.
Waterproof Smartphone Pouch (by Travelon)
On a recent camping trip I was laughed at for this (probably because mine has the styling and coloring of an old-timey beach changing tent).
“iPhones are waterproof,” they said and pointed and laughed.
“That thing’s ridiculous,” my college buddies mocked.
I don’t care. I’m comfortable being a Dad and, actually, there are MANY varieties of these waterproof cases and I fish, I boat, I sit at the beach – so this is perfect. Could I get an indestructible Otterbox? Sure. But it’s an all day project getting iPhones in and out of those. With this waterproof pouch, the iPhone slips in easily. You can still work the screen. It connects via Bluetooth to a speaker or earbud (for phone calls), and it’s completely waterproof and floats. I like my Travelon Clear View Waterproof Pouch.
Luphie Batman Magnetic Case
And finally, arriving in the mail any day now, all the way from China (which means it MUST be good), is my Luphie Magnetic Case. This might replace them all. Review to follow.
You might have strong opinions on iPhone cases, but whatever you think is WRONG. I’ve done way, way too much research on this and I’ve spent …cough …multiple hundreds of dollars on glass screen protectors, cases, screen replacements, backing replacements. I’ve concluded this is the ultimate line-up.
Get everything above for about $125 and never worry about your iPhone again.
Writing Stuff, Part 1: Monday Blogs
#MidYearResolutions
I love this time of year. It’s mid-year. Half-way through 2020 and if you haven’t noticed, 2020 hasn’t exactly been perfect. Readers know I love New Year’s Resolutions. I love making big, bold proclamations of amazing things I’m about to do, and then I track my progress. Some people say, “what’s the point of New Year’s Resolutions,” and quote statistics like 80% of people don’t follow through on their resolutions after 30-days.
But I say…
It’s never a bad time to make a promise to yourself.
Plus, right now (not sure when you’ll be reading this, but this was written in the wake of the George Floyd murder and the demonstrations and protests that followed) it’s a REALLY GOOD time to look in the mirror and make new promises to yourself to be better. To be part of a better society. To be part of a better America.
I call them Mid-Year Resolutions (#MidYearResolutions). Time to look back at what you said you’d do at the start of the year, analyze the results, revise and edit those resolutions, then continue or re-start.
Me? My big ones at the beginning of the year were . . .
- Write a book (I’m 40,000 words into it and I know how it ends and where I’m going)
- Weigh 150 pounds (I’m stuck at 158)
- Get a new job (did it)
- Fix my Blog (halfway there)
I had many, many other resolutions. I’ll be looking at all of them and will either stay-the-course or course-correct.
#MondayBlogs
Which brings me to #MondayBlogs and something I’m going to start doing. See, my Blog is supposed to be an extension of all the amazing things I do (make salsa, write stuff, sell advertising, do social media, be a Dad, drink coffee, etc). I’ve come to terms that my Blog won’t ever be a singularly focused Blog about a single topic, but rather a proving grounds (some might call it a dumping ground) for so many things.
#MondayBlogs is a thing by BadRedhead Media (aka Rachel Thompson) started in 2012 to help Bloggers connect with other Bloggers and find readers, fans, and collaborators for their writing. If a few dozen fellow Bloggers happen upon my Blog and give me encouragement, or constructive criticism, or ask me to guest Blog on their Blogs, or …heck …they can tell me they HATE my Blog. It’s all good.
The point is this: I’ve been Blogging for more than a decade. I’m not rich and famous because of it. I’ve done many, many things wrong. But also done some things right – things like HAVE a Blog for a decade. That’s a big first step.
The rest of 2020 will bring a more disciplined focus on getting to 150 pounds, getting my book completed (just this morning my wife told me how to re-write the opening to make it better), and making this Blog more organized and interesting.
What’s on your To-Do (Again) List? What New Year’s Resolutions will you dust off and start again and turn into Mid-Year Resolutions? What are you most proud of so far in 2020?
Tomorrow on the Blog: My Father’s Day List
Advertising stuff, Part 1: Why I Blog
The first sentence of a Blog entry should “hook” the reader. Oh, crap. Was that a good “first sentence?” Did that “hook” you? I hope so. I’m glad you’re here. Welcome to my lab.
Yes. My Blog is a “lab” where I develop theories (or hypotheses), test theories, experiment, and more. If things like writing, creating, content-marketing, advertising, social media, Google analytics, keywords, or Search are topics that interest you – you should Blog, too. If you own a business, you should Blog. If someday you’re going to apply for a job and want to stand-out from the other applicants, you should have a Blog (and think long and hard about this last part when it comes to Blogging or any social media …future employers, current employers, and clients WILL Google you, so if you can’t avoid expressing strong opinions on controversial topics, maybe you don’t need a Blog or any social media …unless “activist” is your goal …in that case …Blog like the wind!!!!).
Blog.
Write.
Every. Day.
Easier said than done. I know. I suck at that “every day” part.
I Blog for the following reasons:
- I’m writing a book
- I work in advertising sales (and tell small businesses how they should market themselves)
- Someday I’m going to write a screenplay
- It’s my journal and I like a Blog more than I like a paper journal
- I have many interests
- I like telling stories
- I have an ego that convinced me people care (and will care) about what I write
Every Blog I write I work to make sure it has Tags, links, a featured image, and all my social media info at the bottom. I watch and see which Blog posts perform better and try to determine “why?” Is it the topic? Was it the way I shared them on my social media channels? Did readers click on any of the links? Were some links clicked on more often than others? And why?
You might say, “oh, Don, you just want to be the next influencer selling leafy green shakes or some supplement. No. I don’t. Which might be why I only have 100 readers each time I post instead of 10,000 and why I don’t have a Sponsored Instagram post that says, “I made $14,711 last month in less than 8 hours working on my Blog and you can too – click below.” Then I would charge people $49.99 for 3 coaching sessions and tell everyone what they should do, knowing none of them will, and repeat, repeat, repeat.
Where was I? Oh. Yes. Everyone should Blog and do social media. It’s good for your soul, your brand (yes, you are a “brand” these days whether you like it or not), and your knowledge and awareness of the modern world.
Tomorrow on the Blog: How-To Aeropress coffee while hammock camping
Do you like me? If so, here are some other places you can find me.
Twitter:Â http://twitter.com/donkowalewski
Instagram: Â https://www.instagram.com/don_kowalewski/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWritesStuff/
LinkedIn:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/donkowalewski
Snapchat: donkowalewski <– I rarely do anything here
YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/donkowalewski
I Want Stuff, Part 1: Father’s Day 2020
This whole pandemic shelter-in-place don’t-go-to-work too-much-family-time is very tough for all of us? Ya know what would lift people’s spirits? Getting gifts, that’s what?
This Blog feature is a life lesson for my 15-year-old son. Back at Christmastime, his mother and I asked for a wish-list. That wish-list had NOTHING on it. Christmas came and went and it was unspectacular for my son. Flash-forward to Easter and we like to put a little gift in his Easter basket. Still. Nothing of note. Then, not two weeks later, my son’s old headphones he uses with his Xbox One crapped out and stopped working and he told us he would like some gaming headphones.
I asked, “how long have you wanted these? See? This is the type of stuff you put on Christmas lists.”
He defiantly said in reply, “but the headphones I had were still working. I didn’t really NEED new ones.”
Where does he get that modesty and simpleness? I had to explain that a person should always have a list of “wants”. No. Nobody “needs” everything they “want”, but that’s not the point. Yes. I have shoes. I have a dozen pairs of shoes for various outfits, weather conditions, and activities. Do I “need” new shoes? No. But I “want” some retro Bo Jackson Nikes. Dang kid just doesn’t get it.
Side note: You should’ve seen the headphones. The cord was frayed and the ear pads were worn right to the foam. Gaming headsets should’ve been #1 on the Christmas list four months ago.
People. We’re coming out of a pandemic and nationwide lockdown. We’re going to need all Americans to unite and buy stuff they don’t need and can’t afford to get this economy moving again. My Father’s-Day-Wishlist below will be my part of the recovery. Get shopping.
People are scared and depressed. You can do some serious improvements to my mood if you buy me some of this stuff.
Dr. Squatch Bar Soaps – Been thinking more and more about the chemicals in products I buy, what they do to my skin and the environment. I’m one man, but I’ll do my part by using better soap. At least I think it’s “better”. I saw their ad on YouTube and it had a bearded Hipster-looking guy. Must be good. I compared the chemicals in it to my Trader Joe’s Almond Ginger Scent Oatmeal Exfoliant Bar, and while I’ve always trusted Trader Joe’s to sell me the most hippy-approved products, I’ll be damned if their soap didn’t have more crazy chemicals than Dr. Squatch. (Note to my son: Yes, they sell soap at Trader Joe’s for $3. Yes, this Dr. Squatch soap is $7 per bar. Dumb purchase? You bet it is!!!)
Here’s a few more Top-Things from the Stuff I Want Page on my Blog.
- Peter Grimm Landau hat
- Smittybilt 3 in. Sure Side Step Bars
- Receiver Hitch for Jeep (or this better one)
Happy shopping. DM me if you need my shipping address.
Weezer Stuff, Part 1: A Weezer Podcast, a Playlist by Weezer, and a cool video
This might be the first and last “Weezer Stuff” post on my Blog, but worthy of the keystrokes. In the course of 24 hours, I happened upon a cool, new video by Weezer, I found a Playlist on the iHeartRADIO App with songs actually picked by Weezer, and then found the We Are Weezer Podcast by Weezer superfans where they talk about Weezer songs, talk to people and bands inspired by Weezer, and talk about other random Weezer stuff (the Podcast even has it’s own webpage). Weezer ain’t The Beatles, but for me, this is a super great Podcast and I would like to hang out with Rachel (host of the Podcast).
Click here to find, listen-to, and Follow the We Are Weezer Podcast.
We Are Weezer Is A Podcast About, You Guessed It, Weezer… Rachel & special guests share interesting details on the band, explore the
music, review and rate songs, bond, & share their personal stories.
Here’s the Playlist that Weezer made. It’s like I’m sitting in Rivers’ basement in the late 80s.
And I know I posted this new video only a couple of days ago, but just in case you missed it, here it is again.
Food Stuff, Part 3: Cauliflower Queso Dip (Plant-Based)
Before we begin, my 15-year-old jerk of a son said I can’t call this “queso” because “queso” translates to “cheese” and this is a vegetarian plant-based recipe, and cheese would make that not so.
I have a job. I pay the bills. I’ll call it “queso” even tho it doesn’t have actual cheese. He can call it whatever he wants when he grows up and has his own house, kitchen, family, and Instant Pot. And I hope his teenage son treats him better than mine treats me.
- Step 1: Make sure you have an Instant Pot.
- Step 2: Put the following in the Instant Pot
- 2 cups cauliflower
- 3/4 cup sliced carrots (I used baby carrots)
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup water
- Step 3: Cook on high-pressure for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Do a quick release (that’s an Instant Pot thang)
- Step 5: Drain and dump into a blender (I use my Vitamix …you could use a food processor)
- Step 6: Add an itty bitty squirt of mustard
- Step 7: Add 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- Step 7: Add 1/3rd or 1/2 of a jalapeno (depending on how spicy you like it)
- Step 8: 1/4 tsp chili powder
- Step 9: 1/2 tsp salt
- Step 10: 1/2 tsp paprika (recipe I found calls for smoked paprika, but I wasn’t buying a new spice)
- Step 11: drain a 10oz can of diced tomatoes; add 3 Tablespoons
- Step 12: Blend it
- Step 13: Add some diced red onion and diced cilantro for looks and a little flavor.
You know the drill. This is the basic recipe. Add more jalapenos if you like, or some pepper, or less jalapenos. Experiment with the diced canned tomatoes. The last time I made it, I just opened a can of “crushed tomatoes” because, if I’m being honest, I bought them by accident.
If you’re thinking, “hey, I like this Don guy’s Blog, where else can I keep up with him?” Well, I’m glad you asked.
Twitter:Â http://twitter.com/donkowalewski
Instagram: Â https://www.instagram.com/don_kowalewski/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWritesStuff/
LinkedIn:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/donkowalewski
Snapchat: donkowalewski
YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/donkowalewski
Random Stuff, Part 6: Rivers Cuomo is Cool
Maybe if I link this new Weezer video I’ll have some people who accidentally come here, to my Blog, to see it. It’s a cool video with Rivers passing a note and passing it and passing it on and on and on. “Rivers” is the lead singer of Weezer …gotta explain that because my Dad and my Aunt sometimes read my Blog.
Stay until the end and read Rivers’s letter to the front-line health-care workers (or skip to the end if you hate great music).
“This one is for the stay at home dreamers, the zoom graduators, the sourdough bakers, and the essential workers.” -Rivers Cuomo
I should be finishing Blog entries about my 13-year-old’s Cruise-At-Home day, another cool plant-based recipe, my thoughts on the iPhone 11, and my lawn. But this was easier. And since my mid-Year resolution is to “Blog every day”, this was easy.
If you’re thinking, “hey, I like this Don guy’s Blog, where else can I keep up with him?” Well, I’m glad you asked.
Twitter:Â http://twitter.com/donkowalewski
Instagram: Â https://www.instagram.com/don_kowalewski/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWritesStuff/
LinkedIn:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/donkowalewski
Snapchat: donkowalewski
YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/donkowalewski
Lawn Stuff, Part 3: Speedzone (and some pulling)
Here we are. Day-7. I’ve witnessed a true miracle. You say it’s a predictable result of a scientifically tested product designed to do the thing I hoped it would do. I say MIRACLE!!! The pictures below, if you have the patience to compare them to Day-1 and Day-3, are jaw-dropping.
The most exciting thing for me is that Speedzone was able to kill the two things I’ve never had luck killing …the unidentified spreading weed that’s always on the curb by the street (and that I think comes with the salt in the winter) and the violets in my backyard.
All of them. Dying.
And some places I just sprayed regular ol’ dandelions and they died, too.
Yes, I know everyone’s lawn is fairly perfect this time of year, but I’m off to good start. A better start than I have on May 3rd than most previous years and two tough-to-kill weeds are dying.
Time for a beer.
Lawn Stuff, Part 2: More Speedzone
Here’s Day-3. Stuff is already starting to die. What you can’t hear in these photos are the dandelions and violets saying, “Ohhh! You cursed brat! Look what you’ve done! I’m melting! Melting! Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness! Ohhh! Look out! Look out! I’m going! Ohhhh – Ohhhhhhhhhh!”
In previous years when I used whatever was on sale at Ace/Home Depot/Lowes, I didn’t see this. This is 72-hours later and, I should mention, it poured rain starting about 10-hours after I applied Speedzone.Â
This excites me for two reasons.
- I’ve saving hours of time where I typically crawl around on my hands and knees picking weeds. And, usually, I get bored and say, “good enough.”
- This might be killing them right down to their roots and I won’t have as many next year.
Lawn Stuff, Part 1: Speedzone
Yes. Another category on this Blog … #Lawn Stuff. When it comes to my lawn, I’m obsessed. Yet, I’m no expert. I don’t have tons of extra money to spend. I don’t want to hire a service (again, the money). I don’t water it daily (one more time, money). I try really hard to avoid chemicals. Just not this year.Â
My friend, Steve T., works for a company that makes Speedzone. He’s a born-and-raised farm kid from rural Michigan. Growing stuff is in his blood. He actually cares about me and my lawn so one day he said, “hey, stop wasting your time with that watered-down stuff from your local hardware store,” and then gave me all these technical reasons about the why and how it all works and I kinda spaced.
“Just tell me exactly what to do and when,” I said.Â
So he did. He actually started to build an App. He told me what to do last fall. He told me what to do this spring.
Step 1: Apply Speedzone to all the weeds with a pump sprayer.Â
I did that on Monday, April 27th. The crappy pictures below show a wide variety of weeds in my lawn. Usually, I’ll spend 4-6 hours pulling all the dandelions one by one and spot spraying the other stuff that isn’t so easy to pull. This year, I’m trying something different.
Pictures below are a combination of Day-1 (before treatment) and Day-2 (24 hours after treatment).Â
In summary, today’s lessons are (1) have a farm-kid friend named Steve who’s as obsessed with his lawn as you are and is as frugal and (2) get Speedzone and a pump sprayer.
Don Kowalewski 