This read is a less-lonely pill:) Your ordinary encounters and soulful observations produce a spool of words that connect human hearts, Alex. It’s an extraordinary time to be here as a writer.
Isn't it weird how calming Jamelle Bouie's videos are? I totally get that. His combo of they-deserve-it name-calling (JD Vance is a "little pig man" and miller is a "piss-baby"), truly jaw-dropping erudition, and connect the disparate dots insights puts a spell on me and makes me hope we still might see our way out of this mess. Plus his outfits.
we live in the same town and I have been waiting (not very patiently) for my JB sighting and when it finally happened last month, in a coffee shop, HE WAS WEARING ONE OF THE BEST OUTFITS and then there the outfit was, the very next day, in a video. i felt like a royalist who'd seen a leaked sketch of Lady Di's wedding gown or something, and when I excitedly told my teenager on the car ride home of this very special sighting he said... "Mom, are you OK," and I felt like an idiot. But still.
I was stunned by the sense of community and generosity shown by this sentence: "I’d just left my friend Mira Jacob’s house, where our writing group had a beautiful and deep three hour discussion of her new novel draft." So much so that I kept thinking about it as I read the rest of the newsletter. It's wonderful that you have that kind of community to support one another.
Thanks for this beautiful meditation. It made me feel less lonely, and I hope it did the same, even a little, for you. Thanks (and to you, Elizabeth Birdsall) for the tip about Jamelle Bouie’s videos. Maybe “little pig man” and “piss-baby” will help me get some sleep tonight. The Pitt isn’t working.
(Also, not to be overly familiar but also weirdly comforting: post-Middletown, I lived one block east on S. 4th, same rent. No cute places that I remember, but maybe the pony living upstairs counts?)
A professor of mine mentioned a teaching tip of yours last week, and I perked up at the mention of your name like we were longtime friends. Keep climbing out of that ditch!!
I've been sick in bed all weekend, and am feeling less lonely today because of this read. Cheers to climbing out of the ditch. Also, thank you for sharing that photo of Greg Ketter walking through tear gas. I now have ideas for an oil painting when I'm feeling a little better. :-)
I feel a bit steadier on my feet having read this. And the Jelani Cobb piece. I’m actually on the couch and I’m not getting up anytime soon, but still. …Rooted, not steadier. Rooted. 🖤
It's those random conversations with strangers that imbue New York with its strange, beautiful magic. Reading this felt like one of those conversations. Thanks so much for this warm, commiserative read. I really enjoyed your thoughts. PS: You say S4, all I can think is Pies 'N Thighs!
Thanks for posting and giving voice to Minnesota and elsewhere. The alternative insight and updates into organisation what’s going on there feel essential. P.s Local London-lubber, and cannot wait to meander the Murdoch map. Give a holler if ever in town!
This read is a less-lonely pill:) Your ordinary encounters and soulful observations produce a spool of words that connect human hearts, Alex. It’s an extraordinary time to be here as a writer.
Isn't it weird how calming Jamelle Bouie's videos are? I totally get that. His combo of they-deserve-it name-calling (JD Vance is a "little pig man" and miller is a "piss-baby"), truly jaw-dropping erudition, and connect the disparate dots insights puts a spell on me and makes me hope we still might see our way out of this mess. Plus his outfits.
I live and die by Jamelle’s outfits.
we live in the same town and I have been waiting (not very patiently) for my JB sighting and when it finally happened last month, in a coffee shop, HE WAS WEARING ONE OF THE BEST OUTFITS and then there the outfit was, the very next day, in a video. i felt like a royalist who'd seen a leaked sketch of Lady Di's wedding gown or something, and when I excitedly told my teenager on the car ride home of this very special sighting he said... "Mom, are you OK," and I felt like an idiot. But still.
Lol. That's adorable.
Love this!
I was stunned by the sense of community and generosity shown by this sentence: "I’d just left my friend Mira Jacob’s house, where our writing group had a beautiful and deep three hour discussion of her new novel draft." So much so that I kept thinking about it as I read the rest of the newsletter. It's wonderful that you have that kind of community to support one another.
Thanks so much. We all teach writing so it’s fun to really get into it.
i am currently reading THE LUCKY ONES by zara chowdhary + cried finding this:
Girti hui diwar ka saaya na batāo
phir se nayi diwar uthao toh bane baat.
Don't point at the shadow of a fallen wall.
Let's see you build one. Yet again.
Thanks for this beautiful meditation. It made me feel less lonely, and I hope it did the same, even a little, for you. Thanks (and to you, Elizabeth Birdsall) for the tip about Jamelle Bouie’s videos. Maybe “little pig man” and “piss-baby” will help me get some sleep tonight. The Pitt isn’t working.
(Also, not to be overly familiar but also weirdly comforting: post-Middletown, I lived one block east on S. 4th, same rent. No cute places that I remember, but maybe the pony living upstairs counts?)
A professor of mine mentioned a teaching tip of yours last week, and I perked up at the mention of your name like we were longtime friends. Keep climbing out of that ditch!!
This is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing these quiet and lovely experiences.
I've been sick in bed all weekend, and am feeling less lonely today because of this read. Cheers to climbing out of the ditch. Also, thank you for sharing that photo of Greg Ketter walking through tear gas. I now have ideas for an oil painting when I'm feeling a little better. :-)
I am real glad to hear that. Yes, make art about this man. He deserves it.
I feel a bit steadier on my feet having read this. And the Jelani Cobb piece. I’m actually on the couch and I’m not getting up anytime soon, but still. …Rooted, not steadier. Rooted. 🖤
keep climbing out <3
“So I gave myself a night out and practiced being alive again with people in a different way than I usually do.”
love this & you
I might need to be a barfly again… love you too!
Love this and I’m so looking forward to your reading this evening!
Thanks! I hope you’ll say hi afterwards!
It was such a pleasure to listen to your reading this evening!
Thank you!
Yes I definitely will!
It's those random conversations with strangers that imbue New York with its strange, beautiful magic. Reading this felt like one of those conversations. Thanks so much for this warm, commiserative read. I really enjoyed your thoughts. PS: You say S4, all I can think is Pies 'N Thighs!
When I moved there, the diner that became Diner was a burned out shell.
I remember that!
Excited to see you at performance space tonight ❤️🔥
Thanks for posting and giving voice to Minnesota and elsewhere. The alternative insight and updates into organisation what’s going on there feel essential. P.s Local London-lubber, and cannot wait to meander the Murdoch map. Give a holler if ever in town!
A story a day, or starting the day reading: it does make you feel happier, a reminder of human creativity. Thank you so much for this.