Thumb squeeze, !

Instead of vocal greetings, I thought I'd look up unusual physical greetings (like the handshake). Turns out, the "thumb squeeze" is done in parts of Africa as a greeting. It's definitely not the routine greeting here in Canberra, where I'm writing this week's email from, but more on that later...

Before I go on, a shameless request! Could you forward this newsletter to just 3 people that you think would like one of the articles? It helps A LOT! If you're the friend reading this, click the link below to join! Glad to have you here!

In this week's email...

• Week in the Life - read on the blog
• Creative Update - randInt: Dr Charles Phillis
• Monthly wallpapers - April wallpapers
• Gadgets/Tech - Anker USB-C Hub
• Read - What science still doesn't know about our senses
• Watch - Behind the Scenes: "No Time to Die" opening car chase
• Quote - “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Week in the life

Hello from Canberra! This edition of the Sunday Surprise is coming from Australia's capital city (and no, it's not Sydney). I had originally picked this week for holidays some time last year not realising it was going to fall on Ramadan. Since most of the time was already approved, I thought a greater than 2 day break after so long was warranted. If nothing else, it makes for a pretty office to work from staying at the Peppers Gallery Canberra in the heart of the city...

The Ramadan fundraising is going along well, even though I'm a bit slow on the video front. Currently, we're at around $350 raised! Thanks to everyone who's donated so far... more on all that over on the blog...

Creative update

randInt: Dr Charles Phillis - Cars, boats, planes & all thigs FAST

Normally, we'd be releasing this episode on the Monday but given it's the long weekend and we had a bit of a hiccup with the last episode, we decided to release this one a bit early!

This is our first interview with someone totally outside our social circle. Charles is a doctor on the sunny Gold Coast in Queensland who has had quite the career in medicine! Along the way, there have been some twists and turns- one involving selling boats!

Given it's the first of it's kind using both Riverside.fm and trying out our skills at interviewing people we don't know, we'd both LOVE some feedback. Additionally, reviews of the podcast would also go a long way in getting the word out about the podcast.

April wallpapers

It's another month and another set of wallpapers are here for your phone!

There's quite a variety this month with some night and rainy ones too.

If you do use one on your phone, tag me on social media so I can see:

@photosbyraffy or @raffyhalim

Enjoy!

Gadget/Tech

Anker USB-C Hub

I'm not a fan of dongles and adapters at all and it's a large part of why I stay away from the Apple ecosystem in the current state.

Lately, as more and more things switch to USB-C, I still find I'm using some older devices here and there and need to connect things up once in a while so I succumbed and bought this hub. For it's size and price, it does everything I need it to and allows me to connect my laptop to all y devices for the foreseeable future.

Other tech & gadgets:

• 100 days of code - If you're interested in programming but have ZERO knowledge, this is one of the best courses to guide you from the absolute basics in one of the most useful languages: Python.
• NuraPhones - As someone who has waaaayyy too many headphones, these are truly something different, especially if you like bass!

Read/Listen

What science still doesn't know about our senses

This article has short snippets that I found quite fascinating and links to further podcasts exploring the strange quirks of our senses... including the 6th sense...

Well, in the less mysterious version of the 6th sense that is...

What I'm reading at present:

• Three body problem - Since I'm on holidays, I decided that I'd try a bit of fiction. Had seen this come up many times so decided to take the plunge and read it. It even has a recommendation by Obama!

Watch

Behind the Scenes: "No Time to Die" opening car chase

Every time I see one of these behind the scenes, I can't help but wonder how much we as a species need stories and amusement.

This video shows all the things that went into making JUST the opening care chase in the latest bond movie. Blew my mind that they needed TEN Aston Martins! TEN!

Quote I'm pondering

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

– Helen Keller

So as I type this, I'm currently pulled over on the side of the road in rural NSW about 30 mins out of Nowra. Having managed to avoid all the pot holes on the road, I managed to hit one with my front left tyre and BAM! Instant flat tyre.

Turns out calling Tesla assistance gets an operator in the US! Anyway, it was definitely not part of the plan for a nice holiday, but these things happen. And now I know what you're meant to do when a Tesla gets a flat...

That's all for this week. Hope you enjoyed this newsletter and hopefully see you next week if I can get the car back on the road!

- Raffy

PS - What was your favourite part of the email this week? Do you like/dislike the subtle changes this year? Let me know with 1 click! I read the survey every week (& keep tweaking things with your feedback!)

Sunday Surprise uses affiliate/referral links in the newsletter. This does not change the recommendation/verdict but may result in Photos by Raffy receiving a small commission and will be marked in orange. Non-affiliate links will appear as blue. Prices recorded may vary.