Woof of the Week - Hi's and Hello's

All Dogs Go to the Internet

How Did We Get Here?

The world we live in is massively f*cked. (To put it bluntly)
Each and every day something seems to happen that has wide ranging implications for humanity. We watch conflicts play out internationally on the same screens we see our friends’ wedding photos. No matter how much pain we absorb from the news in one day, there’s always another event around the corner that’s being ushered into our feeds. It’s nearly inescapable.

In a way – maybe that’s how it should be.

Maybe we should be forced to consider how problems, both domestically and abroad, have effects on the people and creatures we share our planet with. How we should persevere to be more compassionate people. How we should actively refuse to be desensitized by the 24 hour news cycle. And to treat each new story as the traumatic event it is.

But with every ping, news alert and Twitter thread we become beat down to where we were when we first started scrolling - people just trying to see what’s going on in the world; people just trying their best.

Every so often, however, there is a light. Peppered here and there are stories showing humanity at its best. They’re stories of perseverance. Of hope. They remind us that no matter how constant the barrage of notifications and how chaotic our lives can get, there are moments where we find that we can still band together as humans, show kindness to one another, and, hopefully, come out stronger on the other end.

BUT

This newsletter isn’t about ANY of that. Because amidst everything I just mentioned, there will always be something that makes you stop scrolling. something that demands you re-read it just to make sure you read it correctly.
You’ll scratch your head. Exhale in disbelief. And then you’ll say:

“…Woof.”

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Welcome to Woof of the Week!

Picture of Dog from my friend James

I decided to carve out another tiny corner of the internet for myself by creating this newsletter about some of the things that made me say the longest
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooof each week.

Whether it’s a personal experience I had to share, something in the news, or a terribly conceived reality competition show about proving who’s the best activist; everything’s fair game. No Woof is too small - but only the longest Woof will earn the honor of being the “Woof of the Week”.

Each week I’ll give a brief account of Woofs that have happened during the week and my thoughts on the Woof. Whether it’s a lesson to be learned or just a fun anecdote, there will always be something entertaining, intriguing, or embarrassing about a Woof and I’m so excited to create the space to talk about them.

Defining “Woof”

Here’s a Shutterstock photo I found when Googling “Dog with Magnifying Glass”

When I first started saying “Woof” it was because I didn’t want to copy my friend who would reply to things by saying “oof”. Within a matter of months “Woof” quickly became a part of my daily vernacular. What started as a great catch-all response slowly took on a meaning in my head. A feeling. A mood.

I’ve written and deleted my definition of woof a handful of times in writing this. It’s something that’s hard to define until you’re in the moment. Because when a Woof occurs you know it, in your gut. I guess, what I’m trying to say is:

• Woof is when you see a “Rules for a Happy Marriage” plaque discounted at a thrift store.

• Woof is when you hear someone try to play off a casually racist joke as “okay”.

• Woof is when you’re forced to slurp up your ice cream cone as fast as you can outside of the Venice Salt & Straw because it already started melting on your hand before you left the store.

Woof happens to everyone, everywhere. And I’m so excited to bring you the Woofiest Woofs of them all.

Who am I?

Here’s a picture of me in my favorite hat. Photo taken by my friend Robert, hat given to me by my friend Alex.

My name is Evan Yee. I’m the only director and media producer currently based in Los Angeles, California. I grew up in Northern New Jersey so it’s Taylor Ham, not Pork Roll. I’ve been getting into tennis recently. And I regret not going to the beach this summer!

The Royal “Woof”

This time I Bing’d “Dog with a Crown”. The results were wild.

I’m not gonna present myself as some type of Woof magnet. We live in an age where everything is documented everywhere. We know a stranger in Korea has had their cheese fondue ruined so badly that it’s whipped them in their face.

Woofs are a 24/7 international experience.

That’s why I’m also taking submissions from YOU! Have a Woof happen to you this week? Or something that made you say Woof a long time ago you want to share? Submit it via this button:

Woofs can be submitted anonymously so even your most secret Woofs are safe with me. I’ll also include an area where you can submit a picture of a dog or “Woofer” if you’d like as well. I can’t wait to hear (and see) all the Woofs in your lives!

In conclusion –

There are lots of things that go on every day. Some are big. Others are small. Much of it is embarrassing. And a lot that’s just plain dumb. I hope this can be a fun project that will highlight all the “woofy” things that we experience just trying to exist.

Thanks for reading - leave a comment to say hi!

Woof of the Week will go out every Sunday¹. I’m excited to go on this little writing journey with y’all and as I always say:

“Tell a man a Woof and he’ll talk about it for a day. Teach a man about Woofs and he’ll never stop saying Woof his whole life.”

See ya on the next one!

1. I reserve the right to change this if I get tired, thanks in advance.