The Daily Valet. - 3/31/21, Wednesday
✔️ Beyond Bridges
Wednesday, March 31st Edition
Never believe me when I tell you the wine is expensive ...
Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Beyond Bridges
We’ll be hearing a lot about infrastructure this week
Infrastructure Week, which became something of a punchline during the last administration, is back. But President Joe Biden is set to outline a very serious plan today in Pittsburgh.
The first phase of his “Build Back Better” package will unleash over $2 trillion in new spending on everything transportation and public water, health and broadband systems; to community care for seniors and innovation research and development, according to the Associated Press.
The goal of the plan is an investment not just in America the place, but in its workers as well. Of course, a project this ambitious won’t come cheap. The White House confirmed it will require 15 years of higher taxes on corporations—reversing much of President Trump’s 2017 tax law—to pay for eight years of spending.
Those tax hikes will also cover the second phase of the plan, focusing on soft infrastructure investments in child care, family tax credits and other domestic programs.
Battle lines are already being drawn, reports Politico, with the bill getting early pushback from the left and the right. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted that the package is “not nearly enough” and “needs to be way bigger,” and Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming called the plan “a Trojan horse for more liberal spending and higher taxes.”
And while the White House is emphasizing the urgency, the administration is also working deliberately to build support. It wants to see progress on the new legislation by Memorial Day and hopes to have it passed over the summer.
↦ FYI: Biden’s plan requires an investment on par with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal or Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. Which is why he and his staff have been studying those administrations since before taking office.
The World Is Going Back To “Normal”
And people are worried ...
There's a lot to look forward to in the coming days. Vaccinations and the world opening back up. Reunions with families, eating at restaurants with friends and going back into work.
Still, what should be a thrilling prospect—a return to some sort of “normalcy”—has left countless people reeling with anxiety and dread.
Dozens of respondents to a BuzzFeed News survey about post-pandemic life expressed an equal amount of excitement and concern about The After Times. Especially when it comes to work. Some are anxious about returning to the long hours and commutes.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the one thing a lot of people are going to miss about the WFH lifestyle? Midday naps. According to a recent survey, 33% said they took naps while working from home. And despite dozens of studies that've shown the benefits of taking naps, such as increased alertness, the stigma about napping at the office endures. But I'll be fighting it ... one nap at a time.
↦ Meanwhile: Zoom calls might actually be making you less effective at work.
Partner
Working remotely can be tough on your body. A few simple stretches can sort you out and give you a much-needed boost of energy.
PayPal Lets You Pay With Bitcoin Now
Which means crypto spending is now possible at millions of merchants
PayPal announced Tuesday that it has started allowing U.S. consumers to use their cryptocurrency holdings to pay online merchants globally—a move that could significantly boost use of digital assets in everyday commerce.
“Checkout with Crypto” builds on the ability for PayPal users to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies, which they launched in October.
But now, the new checkout feature allows users to instantly convert their Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin to spendable U.S. dollars for free. PayPal then uses it to complete the transaction. If a merchant doesn't take American dollars, PayPal also converts the cost into local currency at standard conversion rates.
This isn't the first payment app to offer support for cryptocurrency. In 2018, Square launched support for Bitcoin on the Cash App. But this could streamline the use of cryptocurrency as a more common payment method, thanks to PayPal's 377 million active accounts.
Drunk Science
Study claims cheap wine tastes better when you tell people it’s expensive
Well, this story makes me happy. Because I while I always enjoy a good (meaning pricey) bottle of wine, there are plenty of $12 bottles that I enjoy—perhaps just as much.
If you don't have a lot of cash to spend, science says so-called “cheap wine” can taste better if you tell guests they're drinking something expensive.
A recently published study conducted at Switzerland’s University of Basel found evidence that bottom shelf wine becomes more enjoyable when tasters are told it's an expensive bottle.
It seems a high price is part of the overall enjoyment of wine. People prime themselves for a better experience owing to the price of the bottle. For people insisting that the fine wines taste better, they're right—just not for the reasons they think.
↦ FYI: There's a famous story about a couple who was mistakenly served a $2,000 bottle of wine at New York's Balthazar after ordering an $18 bottle of Pinot.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Partner
Stretching Is a WFH Essential
Loosen up or suffer the consequences later
When you're working remotely—even in the best home offices—you'll likely notice that your body feels a bit different. That's because prolonged sitting sessions can wreak havoc on your body. You tighten your hip flexors while slumping your shoulders and your posture pays the price. But if you start to incorporate a few vital stretches into your daily routine, not only will you feel the difference but you'll start to notice positive changes in your body too.
According to the American Council on Exercise, stretching has been found to enhance athletic performance, while decreasing stress levels and improving blood flow and circulation. By minimizing wear and tear on your joints, you'll boost your muscular function, reducing your risk of injury. So give yourself a mid-day break, pull on some new performance gear and stretch yourself out. We've got some suggestions or do whatever feels good. A little stretching goes a long way.
Our At-Home Stretching Kit
Metal Vent Tech 2.0 melange stretch-jersey tee, $90 by Lululemon
Santal body lotion, $70 by Le Labo
Reversible yoga mat, $70 by Lululemon
Stride 2-in-1 flex and mesh Dri-Fit shorts, $55 by Nike Running
Utility camouflage-print Dri-FIT therma tights, $70 by Nike Training
TechLoom slides, $100 by APL Athletic Propulsion Labs
↦ Shop: Exercise gear at MR PORTER
What We’re Buying
If you take your coffee seriously and want an impressive-looking machine sitting proudly atop your counter, but don't know much about pulling the perfect espresso, this is the machine for you. The aptly-named Breville Barista is well-rated, fairly foolproof and holds your hand through the process. The machine has a nostalgic look but also comes with modern amenities like an integrated charcoal filter and customizable settings for a perfect cup every time. Now that it's on sale, it's a steal—especially considering the built-in burr grinder would run you about $200 if bought separately.
↦ Get It: $999.99 / $599.96 at Sur la Table
Today’s Deals
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Morning Motto
Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate.
↦ Follow: @cozyvu
That’s all for today...
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