🎮 Boomshakalaka!

The next level of hiking, the poetry of '90s basketball, and so much more...

Mornin’. Do you know the origin of the phrase “they got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning”? Nowadays it means that someone is in a bad mood, but originally it had more superstitious implications.

It used to be considered bad luck to set your left foot on the ground when getting out of bed. It was equally bad luck to put on one’s left shoe first. All this because the word “left” has the same root as the word “sinister.”

Anyway, here’s hoping you got up on the right side of the bed this morning, in every sense of the word.

—Eric Alt, Andrew Nusca, Marques Edge, Tim Leong

Buffed/Nerfed

What’s up and down in the world rn.

Buffed: Now That’s What I Call Earth Vol. 1. The music and audio recordings sent into space to welcome visitors is going up for auction. Because obviously it worked—or maybe you didn’t you hear that aliens are 100% real?

Nerfed: Future cancer diagnoses. In another “yay” for science, engineers are developing tiny surgical robots that can detect and remove cancer cells. Clearly they’ve seen Innerspace.

Buffed: High altitudes. Norwegian Kristin Harila and Nepalese Tenjen Lama Sherpa became the fastest people to climb all 14 peaks of Pakistan’s Mount K2. Just in case you were feeling extra sluggish today.

Nerfed: Horror movie takeaways. A small worm frozen in Siberian permafrost for 46,000 years has been reanimated by scientists. We just “yay’d” you, science, not five seconds ago and now this? Do we need to call John Carpenter?

Buffed: Still being live from New York. While it’s almost impossible to imagine Saturday Night Live without Lorne Michaels at the helm, Tina Fey wouldn’t be the worst back-up plan ever. Especially if it means more Robot/Bear sketches. —EA

Field Upgrades: How to get started on your hiking adventure

Change the game.

Photo by Michael Chiara via Unsplash

Hiking is like opening up a new map or territory in your favorite video game but, you know, irl. Unplugging once in a while and getting out isn’t just good for the body, but good for the soul, too.

Enjoying the outdoors can provide a sense of balance and stress release that can benefit your overall mental health.

Contributing writer Aron Garst joins Modern Hiker editor Casey Schreiner, who shares the best tips to get your hiking adventure started.

Let’s get moving.

Poetry Corner: Haikus inspired by NBA Jam

Who needs reasons when your verse is ON FIRE?!?

Illustration by Tim Leong

The original NBA Jam game debuted in 1993, and it quickly cemented its place in pop culture by adding indispensable new phrases to our collective lexicon—like “Boomshakalaka,” “He’s on fire!,” and “Tom Gugliotta.”

Contributing writer Danny Gallagher was so inspired by the hardcourt classic that he just had to express himself in haiku. And we just had to let him.

Enjoy.

Your moment of meme

Monday Mixtape

The Monday Mixtape has been giving you a peek behind the curtain at what’s been keeping toes tapping, heads bopping, and hips swaying inside the walls of Activision Blizzard—but now it’s time to open things up a bit and hear from you.

Reply to this email and drop whatever it is that’s rocketed to the top of your playlist rotation lately. A gym rager? A bit of upbeat escapism? Something that defies easy genre explanation? We want to hear it.

Until then, let’s get this Monday started…

• Sinéad O'Connor, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” In honor of the legend’s way-too-soon passing, enjoy her unparalleled ability to turn personal confessionals into absolutely brilliant pop songs. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Eric Alt, Activision Blizzard King)

• Travis Scott, “Hyaena.” Oh, did you hear Travis had a new album out? He does, in fact. Get a taste of what has the internet abuzz. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Irene Sizemore, Blizzard)

• f(x) “4 Walls.” This is the jolt of energy your Monday needs right about now. Just try and sit still listening to this. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Aninditya Kusumah, Activision)

• Lunity, “Cupid.” Twitch streamer and YouTube musician Lunity covers a track from South Korea’s FIFTY FIFTY and the results are a “you’re welcome” for your playlist. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Maraya Tran, Activision)

• Yung Bae, Nile Rodgers “Awesome Ways.” You know how we know you’re going to have a great Monday? Because this sunny, bouncy song is in your life now. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Roxanne Ross, Beenox) —EA

Wormhole

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