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Hey guys,
If you’re a real day 1 Perfectly Imperfect head you might remember when Alex and I used to tap in every week. Which eventually turned into every two weeks, and then monthly, and well, now…basically never.
I don’t know how some of these other writers do it- the ones who recommend a babillion things each week- because at some point I’m just the same Tyler who can only squeeze in so many new experiences while also balancing my enjoyment of familiar routine and well, chillin’.
I’m kind of okay with that though. Setting out to watch a movie or order new shoes, just so I have something to recommend here, feels a bit antithetical to what this newsletter is meant to be.
A lot of people describe PI.FYI as a public gratitude journal, and there’s something pure about the lack of taste-peacocking I feel when recommending this way. Reflecting on what makes you happy is a great exercise, and helping someone discover something that effected you in that way is a beautiful side effect. I try to write near-daily on my PI profile and share the love.
So, on my 29th birthday, I figured I’d drop in to share some gratitude via 9 recommendations. Hopefully this will be a bit more often moving forward, but only if it feels right.
🚲 Crust Bikes / Cycling 50-100 miles a week / Genosac IG page
In 2021 I bought a shitty 80s road bike for about $300 from this guy named Richard who lives in Ditmas Park— I wrote about him here. This purchase sparked a love for biking that has become a borderline obsession ever since, and after validating that this hobby wouldn’t be short lived, I finally upgraded my bike last spring.
There are a dizzying amount of factors when it comes to selecting a bike, but at some point I caught the bikepacking bug from this lovely Instagram page @genosac. Their account is just a couple of people in Minneapolis who go on these weekend camping trips while riding through national forests, and they upload perfectly soundtracked edits that just radiate good times. It’s infectious.
I spend 95% of my time in New York City so I’m not sure how much bikepacking I’ll actually end up doing, but I ended up getting a “gravel bike” / “all terrain bike” from a smaller East Coast brand called Crust. The exact model is a lighter steel frame called the Lightning Bolt and a friend (@photo.realism) helped me pick out components + put it all together. I have it pretty decked out, but that’s nerd stuff that doesn’t belong here.
I love it, it’s my baby, and I’ve already put close to 500 miles on it since May. I’m constantly looking forward to my next ride whether it’s a 20 mile rip before work, a 10 minute errand ride, or an all-day beach adventure with friends. It gets me outside, keeps me in shape, gets me with friends, and shows me parts of the city that I probably would have never went on foot.
My loud n’ proud love of cycling has led to many a friend catching the bug as well, so let me know if you need any help or have questions. I’d love to pay it forward.
My bike, loaded up with bags for a day at Rockaway Beach.
📽️ Gerry (2002) directed by Gus Van Sant
I’m a big fan of Good Will Hunting (a perfect comfort movie with a great Elliot Smith soundtrack) but I had no idea that my fellow Boston boys (Matt Damon and Casey Affleck) had another Gus Van Sant collaboration under their belt. Also, I know Casey isn’t a great guy, but I’m a sucker for his mopey acting style— especially in Manchester By The Sea, and in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. It seems to come from some kind of deep & familiar Massachusetts sadness. Maybe I’m just projecting though.
That brings us to Gerry, a slept-on hidden gem that bombed in the box office and hardly has any kind of following. The film is based on a real story of two best friends from Boston who got lost in the New Mexico desert in 1999. Don’t look it up since it’ll sort of ruin the ending which is one of the best parts. Our friends at Simone Films announced they were doing a screening of Gerry at Roxy Cinema and my curiosity was piqued enough to check it out.
It’s a mesmerizing story that’s mostly devoid of dialog and unfolds over 103 slow and haunting minutes. The few conversations they have provide bits of insight into a friendship that’s mostly a blank slate for the viewer, so what you’re left with are beautifully composed desert shots tinged with a stranded desperation. The movie is heartbreaking, but at moments surprisingly funny, which you might not expect. If you’re like me, the camera-on-a-hood take at the beginning should be a dead giveaway that this is a special film. Amazing score too.
casey also rocks a 3/4 sleeve with a PI yellow star
🍊 Jeni’s Burnt Orange Dreamsicle
The first bite I was like, hmm idk about, but it just kept getting better and better and better each bite I took. Really good ice cream if you can find it in a store near you. Shoutout to my fiance Jennie for discovering this flavor.
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