Hey T&E fans!
It’s been a little while since I’ve checked in. I was deep in the middle of ghostwriting a book for someone and that was taking every free moment I had so I was unable to find time for a new Trial & Error. I promise to be back to regularly scheduled programming soon. For now, I wanted to take a quick look back at all 12 of the Trial & Errors I’ve done over the last year. Technically I started this last May but there were a few months where nothing worked out so I didn’t pass the 12 post mark until June.
In those 12 months I’ve done everything from stabbing myself with a needle to freezing my body nearly to death to learning how to be a master chef to hanging out with a swarm of bees. It’s been a wild ride so far and I can’t wait to do more.
Before we get started in the review, I wanted to mention a cool product I was sent. My family recently went to Disney World. It was super fun and amazing to see Disney World through the eyes of my two-year-old son. But it was July in Florida, so it was extremely hot! We sweated through every set of clothes we had multiple times. Which meant that on the way back we had some very stinky clothes. Luckily, I had been sent a STNKY bag to test out. The STNKY bag holds your dirtiest, smelliest clothes in an airtight bag so you can throw them in your suitcase with your clothes that are still clean. And when you get home you don’t even have to touch the clothes, you just unzip the bottom, pull out the mesh inner lining and wash the clothes inside the bag. It’s great for a camping trip, sports equipment, or if you work in the medical field and have clothes you don’t want to touch before washing.
My Trial & Errors can be split into several different categories: product testing, experiential, educational, or pranks. There’s only one prank and it was my most popular edition of T&E. I might have to do more of those.
For each issue I’ll detail whether I’ve tried the thing again or whether it’s sparked greater interest in the subject. I’d love to hear from you. How have these Trial & Errors sparked interest in a topic for you? Have you tried anything after reading about me doing it?
Experiential
Three Minutes (My First Time Doing Stand-up)
This one was life-changing for me. I have wanted to try stand-up comedy since I was in college but had never worked up the courage. Having Trial & Error as motivation for doing this pushed me over the line.
I loved it. I’ve gone back two more times since and gotten better each time. In fact, I have a big announcement about this coming up soon. Watch this space for details.
I’m Deathly Afraid of Needles (Why Did I Sign Up to Donate Bone Marrow??)
Tyler Hicks wrote the only guest post so far for Trial & Error about his experience as a bone marrow donor. This one was equally inspiring and horrifying for those of us who are terrified of needles. It’s a powerful read. I can’t thank Tyler enough for sharing this one with us.
And, no, I have not donated bone marrow after reading this.
Waist Deep with Alligators
The post that started it all at Trial & Error, this story was actually borne out of reporting I did for Texas Monthly that they ultimately killed. I had this great experience and tons of research, but no home for it. So I started my own thing and it’s grown into this really cool set of adventures for me and my readers.
I have lots of alligator experience in my life, so, yes, I have continued being around alligators since then.
Blistered: How to Be a Top Chef
I’ve been a huge fan, and regular customer, of Andrew Savoie and his restaurant Resident Taqueria since it opened. So to get to step behind the counter and learn to cook from the man himself was a really cool experience.
I learned how to make chilaquiles, but I think the most interesting thing I learned was how to make a salsa. I haven’t done it again since, but I plan to try to make my own some time in the future.
Into the Swarm
This is another one where I could have only done it because of the motivation of Trial & Error. I’ve long been interested in beekeeping so to experience it firsthand was amazing. It was also terrifying.
Since this I have not delved deeper into the beekeeping world, but I am still fascinated by bees and how much work goes into keeping hives. Maybe this is a hobby I’ll get into when I’m retired.
2021 Albums of the Year
Admittedly this one was a little cheap since I didn’t really test anything out, unless you consider listening to a bunch of albums testing them out. But looking back at my choices, I do still listen to most of those albums so I guess they were the right picks.
Product/Service Testing
The Pain Issue
For this post I made the mistake of trying a bunch of different things and throwing them all into one post instead of spreading it out. As such, you get a jam-packed edition where I tested out a theragun I was sent, cryotherapy, infrared sauna, and CBD.
Honestly, this one hits very close to home for me. As I type this I’m battling through a pinched nerve in my back and I am making use of many of these products and therapies. I use the theragun all the time, I use the CBD balm as well as CBD gummies for pain relief, and I have returned to do cryotherapy several times. The only thing I haven’t done again was the infrared sauna.
Float into Oblivion
Float therapy terrified me, but it ended up being somewhat enjoyable. The whole experience was really unique. I got some of the best responses to this one because a lot of people have been curious about trying float therapy out.
I haven’t been able to go back and try it again because of my schedule this summer, but my wife and I have plans to try it out. I’d love to hear her perspective on it as someone whose brain works completely different from mine.
A Stretch & and Twist
I loved my experience at StretchLabs. I loved it so much I went back a few days later. And I loved it so much I tried too hard in soccer that night and broke my arm.
Several months later, after I healed up totally I went to StretchLabs to help with my very stiff neck. Amrutha, the same girl who stretched me the previous time, did a great job helping me with my neck. I could see this becoming a regular part of my wellness routine (if I can ever actually start a regular wellness routine).
Pour Some (Blood) Sugar on Me
To be honest, this one was tough. I had to stab myself with a needle, which was a huge pain for me since I hate needles. It was fun testing out new technology and learning something about my body, but at the end of the day I didn’t feel that the product was ready for mass consumption. And it was very expensive. It made for some great photos and videos though!
I have not tried this product again and I don’t plan to in the future.
A Square Meal
People loved reading this one, but mostly because they were horrified by the looks of the food. Overall it wasn’t terrible, but the product wasn’t good enough to be someone’s main diet staple. I haven’t eaten these again and I haven’t heard from anyone that tried these themselves.
Pranks
I Scammed My Way Onto an Under 30 List
You definitely know this one. This has been by far my most read post. People loved it. I’m sure people also hated it, but I haven’t heard from them. to be honest, I may never hear from some of them again. That’s the price I pay for doing some hardcore, #important Big J Journalism work.
I haven’t scammed anyone else, but I get suggestions for new hustles to try all the time.
So which of these 12 was your favorite? Which type should I do more of? Let me know in the comments below.
I’ll be back soon enough with another edition of Trial & Error. Thanks for sticking by me and thanks especially to the T&E club members who support my work with their monthly subscriptions. If you’d like to join this illustrious crew you can do so here.