Since I last left you...

Manhattan views, a smoked Old Fashioned, and time to write

A photo of the Old Fashioned I smoked. It’s gone now, but it was delicious.

I smoked an Old Fashioned with the smoking kit my girlfriend got me. I’ve been sipping on it as I write this post. It’s one of those smokers you’d find on your Instagram Story or TikTok Shop that raves about the array of wood chips it comes with, how easy it is to spark it up, and how effortless it is to add an aromatic finish to your bourbon beverage of choice after a long week. Topped off with USB-C charging (a requirement of mine), it’s the perfect device for fixing a drink just the way I like it.

I haven’t written here in a long time. Since I last left you, I joined The Shortcut full-time as an editor, helping to establish our coverage of new phones, the rising trend of AI, launching a live show dedicated to consumer technology, and more. It’s been… a lot, but I’m glad to be back after well over a year and a half.

Writing for the sake of writing has always been one of my passions, so long as the platform exists for me to publish. I enjoy writing for a much larger site than my Substack will likely ever be, but it’s fun to let loose and not care about metrics or subscriber counts when I publish something.

Since I last left you, I fell in love and moved to New York City. I had just traveled internationally for the first time when I published my last piece. It was an exhilarating trip, filled with new adventures and new folks I now call friends. I went for work, obviously, and it changed how I view the significance of what I do every day as a full-time technology journalist.

Since I last left you, I developed a love for an Old Fashioned, hence me smoking one before I sat down to write this article. It’s a classic beverage, one that dates back to the early 1800s, that got its name after folks in the 1880s yearned for the days when cocktails were simpler than they eventually became. It burns your throat just the right way, inspires your creative side to let loose, and sets your spirits up to relax and enjoy what life has to offer.

Since I last left you, my spirits have been enjoying the views of New York City each day I wake up. From Sunday morning to Saturday evening, the sunrise has enveloped the island of Manhattan in a fiery glow that I used to only experience on occasion. I used to travel to the city a lot for work, but now, I get to wake up to God’s exquisite sunshine right next to the love of my life.

Since I last left you, the love of my life has embraced me in more ways than I can count. Her compassion, kindness, openness, loving family, and welcoming personality has made some of the biggest changes in my life feel effortless to adapt to. I’m excited to build a life with her and lean on her through every career shift, every major life event, and every struggle I’ll face. I love you, Little Miss.

Since I last left you, country music has become an even larger part of my life. Writing for Country Central is a dream come true, one that few folks will get to experience in their life. From covering weekly singles to the occasional album review and editorial, I’m blessed to work with a team of experts and influential folks in the business my father always wanted to work in. I’ve met famous artists, PRs, managers, and more, and I’ve learned from all of them what it takes to make it in such a crazy business. I couldn’t be more grateful to my boss and managers for letting me share my insights and manage the company’s website.

Since I last left you, the world has shifted. No, not in the sense of politics or international affairs, but my world. My little sister is expecting her first child any hour at this point, my job continues to change every day from writer to video producer to live show host, my Chloe awaits her ring, and my spirit for writing has grown stronger and stronger. I love putting words in an empty post or document and seeing where my mind wanders, and that’s what I want out of this newsletter.

Legendary Scoop is my personal dedication to the things I love about God’s world. From my love, to my family, to the city I’m living in, to my career and the crazy path I’ve been on, this is my home to tell you all about it. Expect random restaurant reviews, random takes on technology, insights into books I read, albums I enjoy (or don’t), drinks we’ve been sipping, and what it’s like to live in the greatest city in the world.

I’m blessed to be at the point I am. Since I last left you, I’ve grown. Matridox will live in my heart for all eternity, and I’m officially retiring it with this post. It’s time for the next decade of my self-published career to begin. I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

Max, my Mom’s Legendary Scoop