On this day in history: In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan discovered Guam. In 1820, the Missouri Compromise was enacted by the U.S. Congress and signed by U.S. President James Monroe. The act admitted Missouri into the Union as a slave state, but prohibited slavery in the rest of the northern Louisiana Purchase territory. And in 1854, at the Washington Monument, several men stole the Pope’s Stone from the lapidarium.

The Upside Down AeroPress Coffee Brewing Tutorial – I use my AeroPress often, and I usually use it inverted. I think it gives me more control over the coffee brewing process, and results in a better cup of coffee. Here’s a tutorial explaining how to do this. And you can pick up an Aeropress on Amazon, because why don’t you have one?

How It’s Made: Pen & Pencil Edition – The Well-Appointed Desk gathered a few videos together about how certain pens, pencils, and other writing tools are made. Some of these are very interesting. It’s unfortunate that the final one in the post is no longer available. Enjoy these!

4 Benefits Of Rising Early And How To Master Morning Wake-Ups – I have become increasingly convinced that my best times are in the mornings. When I can arrive at the office a couple of hours before everyone else, I can enjoy the solitude and quiet before the day gets crazy. I use it for personal study and devotion, and kick things into gear for “work” as others are arriving.

What Is Love? – This may be one of the most inspiring short videos you’ll ever see.

On this day in history: In 1827, New Orleans held its first Mardi Gras celebration. In 1867, Dr. William G. Bonwill invented the dental mallet. And in 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting U.S. Presidents to two terms.

Third Wave Coffee – Third wave is the most recent wave of coffee to impact our culture, and is the current state of the coffee industry. Where will it go from here?

The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever – It really is. It’s incredible and inspiring. Take some time, slow down, and read this article from beginning to end.

Clean Up Your Phone For Increased Productivity – This is an area that many people neglect, and their phone gets clogged up with unnecessary apps and sludge. Take some time now and delete apps that you don’t use, clean up the storage that gets filled up with, well, nothing really, and speed up your phone and your own productivity.

Squadron Of Hope – This is a beautifully filmed video of a protected reef near Indonesia. Hit the full screen button and enjoy.

On this day in history: In 1880, Thomas Edison observed what became known as the Edison Effect for the first time. In 1991, On this day, Sotheby’s announced the discovery of a long-lost manuscript of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. And in 2000, Charles M. Schulz’s last original Sunday Peanuts comic strip appeared in newspapers. Schulz had died the day before.

Second Wave Coffee – Second wave coffee took the coffee industry to a whole new level. And it changed the way we view, and drink, this wonderful beverage.

The Most Oddly Named Town In Each State – I live in the Midwest. We have some very oddly named towns. But it seems like we aren’t the only ones…

12th Dead Sea Scrolls Cave Discovered In Israel – While no scrolls were found in this cave, it does show that there were more than what was originally found, and implies that there could still be more yet, waiting to be found.

The World’s Strangest Borders – Ever wonder why some states and some countries are shaped the way they are? This video gives some insight into that.

On this day in history: In 1911, the 40th president of the United States, and former movie star, the “Great Communicator,” Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, a small town in northwestern Illinois. In 1926, the National Football League adopted a rule that made players ineligible for competition until their college class graduated. And in 1932, dog sled racing happened for the first time in Olympic competition.

First Wave Coffee – Coffee comes in waves. Seriously. There is first wave coffee, second wave and third wave. Over the next three weeks I’ll share an article about each wave, giving some excellent history of coffee and how we view it.

The World’s Longest Trail – I enjoy hiking. I have some goals of trails I’d like to see, and even complete. But the world’s longest trail is expected to be complete later this year. It’s called The Great Trail, and it stretches across Canada.

10 Ways To Create More Margin In Your Time – We all want that extra edge when it comes to getting things done. Up earlier, work later, multi-task, we try it all. But in doing so, we often make life more difficult. It’s really simple. These ten things are where you should start.

Fukushima – This video is composed of still images, brought to life and set to music. It’s hauntingly eerie, and yet beautiful and captivating.

On this day in history: In 1649, England’s King Charles I was beheaded. In 1798, the first brawl in the U.S. House of Representatives took place. Congressmen Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold fought on the House floor. In 1847, the town of Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco. And in 1933, The Lone Ranger was heard on radio for the first time. The program ran for 2,956 episodes and ended in 1955.

The Best Coffee Roasters In All 50 States – Considering the source, I would take this with a grain of salt. However, it does feature a list of some pretty good coffees to try in my V60.

Inside the Budapest Escape Room That Started the Worldwide Craze – Hungarians seem to be super good at solving puzzles, from Rubik’s Cubes to escape rooms. This is an insightful look into the mindset of a nation captivated with solving puzzles.

Why We Love To Read – This is a true statement for me. I love to read. But I have never stopped to ask why. This was a very intriguing article form that perspective.

Lost In Light – The pure night sky is something we hardly ever see, due to the amount of light pollution we generate. This is a very fun video to watch. Full screen it and enjoy.

On this day in history: On this day in 1957, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs, now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees. In 1971, in Prospect Creek Camp, AK, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was reported as minus 80 degrees. And in 1983, The A-Team debuted on TV.

A Clever Way To Make Iced Coffee – I love a good coffee. And occasionally, I love a good iced coffee. One creative way to do this is to use a clever dripper. I may need to pick one up.

The Men’s Dress Shoe Hierarchy – Shoes are one of those clothing items that most men don’t pay much attention to. But you should. Here is a good overview of men’s dress shoes. You should have several of these in your wardrobe.

Why Reading Your Email Is A Waste Of Time – I like to use my time wisely. And I use email as a primary means of communication in various ways. The problem is, email can become one of the biggest time wasters out there. Here is a good approach to using it effectively.

Read Scripture: Esther – The Bible Project has consistently produced good overview videos of different books of the Bible. This video on Esther is no different. It’s well produced and high quality. Enjoy!

On this day in history: Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S. It is a federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr, and is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. He was assassinated in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later, in 1986. Read more about MLK Day here.

Cold Brew Dripper Tutorial – It’s cold outside, and what would be better than some great cold drip coffee? In fact, a good iced coffee sounds really good right now. Here’s a tutorial on how to make good cold drip coffee using a dripper. Note, this is different than a cold brew coffee, which you can drink hot. This is a separate method, and I think it may be my next coffee purchase. You can find it on Amazon.

Why Aren’t The Windows Aligned With The Rows Of Seats In Commercial Aircraft? – Have you ever wondered that? I have, each time I’ve flown. As it turns out, there is a perfectly logical explanation for it.

How To Set Up Your Desk – As a culture, we are driven towards productivity and efficiency, maybe too much. But it does have its benefits. This post describes how to best set up your workspace, in this case, an office desk, for maximum potential.

Meet The Tiny Foxes That Shouldn’t Be Alive – This short video highlights the work of several Californian conservationists who have managed to keep a small species of fox alive.