Mike Industries

Ten Things I Am Thankful For

1. Seattle — If the rest of the world knew that we actually have more livable weather than Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Arizona, Atlanta, and even most of Florida, everyone would live here. When it rains, it only mists, and when it’s sunny it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. If you like to waterski, hike, bike, run, snowboard, climb, boat, golf, shop, parasail, or just about anything else outdoors, you owe it to yourself to visit the Puget Sound region. Come during the summer months and you’ll never leave.
2. Kohler Flipside Showerhead — This is simply the greatest showerhead in the world. It’s so good, in fact, that I keep an extra one in my trunk to give to people once they are convinced of its greatness. Pick one of these up at Home Depot for $75, take the yellow plastic flow regulator out, and you will never be the same again. This showerhead will change your life.
3. Ciao Bella Key Lime Gelato Squares — It’s amazing that it’s taken this long for someone to realize that if you replace the crappy ice cream and the crappy cracker from an ice cream sandwich, you get a much tastier ice cream sandwich. Available at Whole Foods. Buy as many as you can.
4. My House — After selling Newsvine, I spent two years — along with Build LLC — designing and building a house. It’s the funnest project I’ve ever worked on and is a joy to live in. If you’re thinking about building a house, feel free to peruse the house blog to get a better idea for how much things cost, how to hire an architect, and what to look for in home automation.
5. Google Reader — Google Reader may be the most useful app on the internet. If you’ve been putting off using an RSS newsreader because you don’t want to deal with yet another application, try setting your home page to google.com/reader and setting up a profile of news feeds. Unlike client side newsreaders, Google Reader is automatically in sync no matter what computer you happen to be at. Even if you’re in a remote corner of the world on your cell phone, you can check your news and blogs through the genius that is Google Reader.
6. iPhone — It is the best portable device ever invented, and the gadget I could least do without.
7. Adium — Simply the best multi-protocol instant messaging client available. Incredibly thoughtful and flexible interface.
8. Trader Joe’s Frozen Pizza — Ok, let me get this straight. Someone in Italy handtosses a pizza with fresh ingredients, someone else packages it up, someone else ships it across the Atlantic to the east coast, someone else drives it across the country to Seattle, someone else delivers it to my local Trader Joe’s store, someone else sells it to me at the register for three dollars, and somehow, someone is making money off of this??? What? This is quite possibly the best pizza I’ve ever had outside of Italy and yes, it’s three dollars at your local Trader Joe’s. Make sure you buy the large flat one which says “Made in Italy” and you won’t be disappointed.
9. Taylor Made Driver — Drive for show, putt for dough. Just about every Taylor Made driver I’ve ever owned has been money off the tee. Current weapon: Left-Handed R7 driver with a 9.5 degree loft, a stiff shaft, and a bad attitude.
10. Laceless Shoes — A couple of years ago, I gave up wearing shoes with laces. Besides running shoes, it’s all slip-ons for me now. Since making the move, my life is that much simpler, I have an easier time at the airport, and I don’t imagine looking back anytime soon.