The Itinerary: Movie Fonts, European History and Banksy

It's still hot here in south Texas. I feel like I could write that sentence every week and it'd be true for a good 8-9 months out of the year. We're gearing up for a trip to see the fam and this is what we're reading/watching/laughing at to prepare. Enjoy!


This Histomap of Europe gives you a pretty detailed look at the borders and population of Europe starting from the year 400 B.C. Come for the history, stay for the ridiculously epic musical score.

National Geographic's 2018 Travel Photography Awards are out and this year's crop of winners is exceptional. Check them out here

By far the most famous street artist of the modern era, Banksy has popped back up in Paris, this time with a pretty overt political message. 

Ever wondered about the fonts on movie posters? Well, wonder no more with this video from Vox that looks at why we keep seeing the Trajan font on movie posters. (via Uncrate)

Watch the video below for a bright and quick way to go all over America from Kevin Parry. (via PetaPixel)

10 Days, One Road: A Journey Around Iceland

The landscape of Iceland is a surrealist dream, which is probably why so many films shoot there. In 10 Days, One Road, filmmakers Daniel Kemeys and Hana Noguchi take us along on their ten-day trip around Iceland's Ring Road. Using a Sony a7Rii (my preferred camera) and a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone, we're transported to waterfalls, rushing water, epic snow drifts and white-dusted timber. 

The more I watch videos like this, the more I want to venture to Iceland. Maybe it's the hot Houston summer that feels like oppression some days. The humidity seems to just sink into your bones this time of year.

How do you like to escape the heat of summer? 


The Itinerary: Ektachrome, England & Kintsugi

The World Cup just started (find out how to watch it here) and Nick Hornby’s new article for ESPNFC, "The unbearable hope -- and inevitable pain -- of supporting England at a World Cup”, might be the most blatantly beautiful look at the hope and disappointment of supporting a national soccer team, especially England. 

Leave it to Popular Science to give us a revealing look into the Rochester, New York factory where Kodak is bringing its Ektachrome slide film back to market later this year. I’ve currently got a roll of Kodak Ektar 100 loaded in my Canon A-1 and can’t wait to see the new Extachrome when it’s released. 

It’s sweltering here in Houston right now so to keep myself sane I watch this haunting drone video of Northern Norway from filmmaker Sergey Lukankin. It looks cold. And sparse. And amazing.

It’s not a new TED talk, but Rutger Bregman’s “Poverty isn’t a lack of character, it’s a lack of cash” has been flooring me lately. 

Ever wonder what happens to all the coins thrown in Rome’s Trevi Fountain

The art of kintsugi has fascinated me for a while now, and this modern kit brings the classic artform up to date.

Speaking of kintsugi, Death Cab for Cutie just released the first track from their follow-up to 2015's Kintsugi. Watch "Gold Rush" below.

How To Watch The 2018 FIFA World Cup In The U.S.

It's that time again! The FIFA World Cup begins today with a 10 a.m. CT kickoff from the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow where host country Russia takes on Saudi Arabia. The best games of the first few days will definitely be Portugal v. Spain on Friday, June 15 and Germany v. Mexico on Sunday, June 17.

Unlike the World Cup in Brazil a few years ago, the start time for the group stage games are a bit harder to accommodate here in America due to the time difference, so here's a handy chart on how to watch, listen or stream all the World Cup games in the US. 

Time 

All times in Central Time Zone

For the first two matchdays of the Group Stage, most days will see three games take place at either 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. CT., with the exception being today's opening match and  Saturday, June 16 when four games will be played at 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. Once the third matchday hits on Monday, June 25, the format switches to four games a day, two at 9 a.m. and two at 1 p.m. This is done so that every team in a group plays at the same time for their final group match.

The first Knockout Stage starts Saturday, June 30 and will see two games played each day at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. until the July 4-5 break. The Quarterfinals will be July 6-7 with games at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Semifinals will follow on July 10-11 with a single game per day at 1 p.m.

The FIFA World Cup Final will be played Sunday, July 15 at 10 a.m. with a third-place match taking place the day before, Saturday, June 14 at 9 a.m.

Watch

Fox is the official carrier for the World Cup in the US so all games will be shown in English on Fox and Fox Sports 1. You can also catch the games in Spanish on Telemundo and NBC Universo. Check your local carrier and listings for channel numbers and availability.

Stream

I'll be streaming the games through YouTube TV but you can also stream them on Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, Playstation VUE and more. 

If you have a cable subscription, you can stream all the games at FoxSports.com and TelemundoDeportes.com. A login is required for both sites.

Mobile

For watching on the go, check out Fox Sports or Fox Soccer Match Pass app. They both require either a cable login or subscription.

Watch Together

One of my favorite things about the World Cup is that it's an easy way to celebrate our individual culture and heritage. Use this time to get to know the people around you and celebrate not just soccer, but the rich heritage we have from all around the world. Living in Houston, I can walk into any pub on a matchday and see people wearing jerseys and t-shirts from teams all over the world. Take the time to get to know them. That's the brilliance of the World Cup.

I'll be cheering for England and Belgium this year (a bit awkward since they were drawn in the same group) but if you don't yet have a team that you follow, try this handy World Cup Quiz from FiveThirtyEight to find out who you should cheer for. 

Let us know who you'll be rooting for in the comments below!!

A Tour of London's Hat Shops

If you've seen any pictures of me, you'll immediately know that I'm a hat person. Not your standard American style ballcaps, but fedoras, flat caps and the like. British history is full of men and women wearing gorgous adorenemnts (Royal Wedding, hint, hint) and you can find the perfect chapeau to compliment your style in London. Whether you're looking to emulate Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders or Lord Grantham from Downton Abbey, London's hat shops have you covered (literally.)

1. Lock & Co.

You can't mention hat shops in London without talking about Lock & Co. The oldest hat shop in the world started in 1676 and is one of the oldest family-owned business still in existence. They outfitted Sir Winston Churchill with his trademark Homburg and Bambridge hats and even created the Coke Bowler for Edward Coke in 1849. Find the very best of British heritage hats at No. 6 St. James’s Street.

The shop is quaint and full of history, hats, and panache. If you're looking to delve into British hat history, or visit the Kingsman storefront next door, Lock & Co. is the place to go. 

 

2. Bates Gentlemen's Hatter

Boasting a beautiful shop on Jermyn St., Bates Gentlemen's Hatter is the logical next stop after Lock and Co., possibly because it's just around the corner. With a presence on Jermyn St. since 1898, Bates offers handmade Panama's, a large selection of caps, and a showcase of fedoras and trilbies. It would be almost impossible not to find a hat that fits your liking at Bates. They even have a store in Paris if you decide to take the Chunnel over for a short visit. 

3. Christy's Hats

Tucked away in a small shop in Prince's Arcade off Jermyn Street, Christy's is a delight for the hat-wearing man. Started in 1773 by Miller Christy, this British heritage brand has outfitted the UK Police, Brad Pitt, and even Marlon Brando's Don Corleone character in The Godfather. Christy's boasts a rich heritage with prices a bit under some of the other shops listed here. I picked up a brand new flat cap (pictured above) and my very first packable fedora in delightful olive green. The helpful staff will get you kitted out with a perfect fitting hat for any occasion in no time.

4. Stumper & Fielding

Last on the list is a bit more fashion forward than some of the other shops. Stumper & Fielding in Notting Hill is a great shop to visit when you're perusing the Portobello Road Market. Featuring hats, men's and women's fashion, and an Instagram worthy store, S&F has a bit of something for everyone. If you're new to hats, this is a great place to start as it won't break the bank and you'll get a lot of ideas of how to wear your new headgear.