Don Kowalewski
Writer. Ad Sales and Marketing. Social Media Content Creator. Aeropress Coffee. Makes the best salsa in the world.
The Top-10 Songs of All (My) Time, Part 2
Here’s the only song on my Top-10 list that I’m embarrassed about. But …it’s on my Top-10. Emphasis “my”. I can’t help it. This song gets me energized.
It’s “Der Komissar” by After the Fire. Quite different than the majority of the songs on my top ten and knowing this probably wouldn’t make it on any other top-100 (or even too-200) list, I think this song is the definition of “wall of sound.” Incredible bass line. Stops and starts. Horns and shouts. Kinda tells a story. That’s a stretch. But can’t you see this as a James Bond 007 movie song with even a little rewrite? It would beat quite a few James Bond songs, actually. Read More
The Top-10 Songs of All (My) Time, Part 1
Recently, Apple Music and Rolling Stone published their list of greatest-albums-of-all-time lists. I love lists like this. Sometimes these lists remind me of albums I’ve never listened to or other albums I haven’t listened to in a while. These lists are mostly click bait. I get that. I’m not even offended or ready to march out front of Apple’s headquarters because they picked The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill as their #1. Over Thriller? Over Nevermind or Rumours? I get it … beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there might be a huge group of people that love Lauryn Hill and this album, but my gut tells me Apple picked this as #1 just to get attention. To be different for the sake of being different. Rolling Stone did the same when they picked Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album as their #1. Over Pet Sounds or Songs in the Key of Life?
Again. I get it. Best-of lists and judging greatest-of-all-time in any category can never be perfect. But at least try to get close. Read More
The Donnie Jalapeno Kitchen is Open for the Season
Hola. Want some salsa? Everyone is always texting me all the time asking when I’m gonna start making it again. And when I say “everyone” and “all the time” I mean about 4 or 5 people and once or twice.
Either way …Donnie Jalapeno Salsa is back and open for business. I have the same terrible business model, but I have the same amazing best-salsa-in-the-world. I don’t ship it. I deliver only in a small radius. Most people pick it up at my house. I told you, it’s the worst business model …but it’s all about the freshness. If Donnie Jalapeno gets really, really big, that may change. But for now, I think they call a business like mine a “cottage industry.”
Thanks for your order. You’re welcome for the best salsa.
Podcaster, Author, Professor: I’m a Fan of Scott Galloway
I found a new Podcast I like (actually, love). Which became an author I love. And I’m ready to tell the world. Found out about this guy about a month ago, but he’s got strong opinions and before I started Liking, Following, and Sharing, I had to be sure my fandom wasn’t going to lump me in with some cult-like following and worldview.
It’s Scott Galloway, his Podcast is the Prof G Podcast, and his most recent book is The Algebra of Happiness. Great book if you’re like me and you’re in your 50s. I might’ve even liked this book in my early 40s. He definitely captures the I’m-50-and- what-was-important to-me 20-years-ago isn’t-so-important-now vibe.
Scott speaks with authority. He’s unabashed in his opinions and fully acknowledges he may be wrong and he may also, at some future date, change his mind. Read More
A Movement Movement (Hand Edition)
I’m starting a movement around …movement. Unless someone already started it, and in that case, I’ll join and promote their movement movement. It might already be called “ergonomics.” I’m starting with focusing on my hands (and then my feet and then my back and posture).
Our opposable thumbs and sophisticated hands make us human. At least I think that’s one of the top things on the list. Countless articles and Podcasts talk about mobility and dexterity. Peter Attia says …
“…not enough can be said about the importance of grip strength as you age. It’s one of the strongest physical associations with longer life.”
Read what he says and watch a grip strength exercise here. Strong, capable hands, as you age, can help you in a slip and fall situation. In this book, Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity, Attia spends a great deal of time on hand health. Don’t believe me? Here’s an article he wrote, and a Podcast all about grip strength and its impact on our longevity. Read More
Stuff I Want, New and Improved for 2024
They say it’s better to give than to receive. I agree. So I make it easy for people to give me things. Too many people say things like, “I have everything I need,” or, “if I want something I’ll just buy it.” Last I checked, this is America. We’re a capitalist society. Almost 10% of our Gross Domestic Product is based on retail sales. Every company that makes a thing needs people to buy their thing.
This is like a public service, if you think about it.
In 2024, I’m taking my “Stuff I Want” list to another level and hoping to cash-in on that sweet, sweet Influencer money. Read More
How Not to Look Like a Ragamuffin (Do Laundry Correctly)
My Mom, when seeing what my siblings and I were wearing or how we looked, was very focused that we not leave the house, “looking like a ragamuffin.”
rag·a·muf·fin (/ˈraɡəˌməfən/), noun; 1. a person, typically a child, in ragged, dirty clothes.
NOTE: I did some quick research to make sure “ragamuffin” isn’t highly inappropriate or offensive and as best I can tell, it’s cool.
I Appreciate a Teacher
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. I’m married to a Teacher (pictured above teaching during the Pandemic in a tent while the kids on the other end of the remote learning were also in a tent). If you think you appreciate Teachers, my bet is you don’t appreciate them enough. If I wasn’t married to a Teacher, I’d probably think my level of appreciation was more than enough. It wouldn’t be.
ALERT: If you’re the type of person that doesn’t appreciate Teachers, the type that thinks they get paid too much and their Union is too protective, or you’re the type that thinks they get paid too much or that their job is easy …STOP …READING …NOW. Seriously. Go away.
Teachers who care, which is the majority of them (I know this because I interact with my Teacher-Wife’s co-workers and peers and have for 27 years), are angels on Earth. Teachers should be paid more (which still wouldn’t make them wealthy or among the 2-percenters or 1-percenters). Read More
Yearly Goals …startiiiiiiiiiing now!
No time like May 6th to set some annual goals. I’m straight up stealing this from Matthew Dicks because the man has great ideas (Homework for Life is another). Monthly, Matthew Dicks posts updates to his yearly goals. So here’s mine.
HEALTH
Lose 15 Pounds
Do 100 Burpees (with Push-Up) Daily
Do 100 Sit-Ups Per Day
Hike with my Rucking Vest 1x/Week
WRITING/CREATIVE
Blog Daily
Fix and Organize My Blog
Journal Daily
Homework for Life Daily (and get better at it)
Finish writing my “sales” book Read More
Be Creative and Fun, Not for You, But for Others
Why do I have a Blog? It’s not to monetize it or become famous. That might happen, but it’s not my “why”. My “why” is because I like to write and be creative. My audience might be ten people. Might be 8 people. Maybe a bit more or less, but mostly I write for 4 people … my wife, two daughters, and son. I wish I remembered where I read this writing advice, but the advice was to write everything as if you were writing it for one person. Keep that person in mind and make sure whatever you create and whatever you do, will make that “one person” happy and they’ll enjoy it.
Sometimes I write for my Mom (gone for almost 20 years) because she was my first editor and a voracious reader and always so proud of me. She would definitely read my Blog. Or I’ll write something to my friend Matt (gone 5 1/2 years). Read More
Don Kowalewski 