There's an older (perhaps ancient) couple where I live who decorate their house on every holiday--major, minor and the totally obscure. I've often thought that's their way of always having something to look forward to...and it reminds me that our lives can get small as we age...and it's soooo important to not let ourselves diminish with time. We must always have "something to look forward to." Per usual, T, a great and provocative post.
I’ve had The Power Broker sitting on my shelves for a few years, but it’s been intimidating to actually pick up. The 99% Invisible podcast (https://99percentinvisible.org/club/) is doing a book club this year discussing the book, which I want to listen to. Just have to start reading first….
I've been listening to (and loving) that podcast companion to the book -- it's kept me going through the 1,300 pages. (Which I still have a LONG way to go through.)
Looking forward to the DoubleStack at the Eugene Marathon. A 5K to start . . . on the 27th, then Half Marathon on April 28th! Wished the whole group could be here, but it's not to be this year.
Looking forward to the fall when we all get together! How about the Charlotte Half in NC. Could be fun. :)
The one in Charlotte was just one that came up as one of the 10 top Marathons, but I'm open to any! Atlanta would be great since it is on your own turf. Can't remember for sure, but I thought there was one in Athens. At the moment, I'm focused on Eugene since it is in two weeks!!
Let's see what the community goes for. In any event, it will be fun to get together!
Will be doing Wisconsin Half on 5/4, Fargo virtually in June, Charlotte is out for me … Caribbean cruise conflict. Space Coast in Cocoa on 12/1 and Palm Beach 12/15.
Gosh, you are busy, Dave! Let's see what the community comes up with. Terrell says he knows of several Half Marathons in the Atlanta area. I have a 5K and a half coming up in 2 weeks here in Eugene. Rest if open until the 10K in SF that I am signed up for in July! I'm excited to see where our meet-up will be this Fall! :)
Hello: Another thoughtful newsletter T! I gave up running about 6 mos ago, joined a new gym and have been swimming since January of this year. I have a great coach, so much to learn and nothing hurts in the water. After a good swimming work out this am, I thought I want to push myself even further w/ swimming. Today we practiced diving off the platform: so much fun! Swimming buddies encourage ea other and I look forward to having something to look forward to. I will be retiring w/in 2 years and this is definitely going to fill up some of my time. Another thing to look forward to.
Last time I dove off a platform was 57 years ago (I was 17) … 5M platform. No more for me … religious reasons … I’m a devout coward! Gonna post this and go swim laps.
Let me begin by saying this M*A*S *H / Cheers /BBT freak never got Seinfeld! But alas, one more st have something to look forward to, even in it is something as mundane as picking up a few things at the grocery store … it provides continuity in our path through life.
How are you considering Moses thus far? I’m only a third of the way through the Powerbroker and I know we’re not supposed to like Moses. But as someone who’s come of age in the era of chronic housing shortages, negligent transportation upgrades, and some truly horrific urban experiences, thus far I’ve struggled to see Moses as the “bad guy” in spite of his arrogance and power hunger.
Reading in 2024 I keep thinking every chapter, “Well, Moses does have a point…”
This is a great, great question. Okay, so, if your question is, would I like this person if I met him? I think the answer is clearly no. But do I have empathy for what he was doing, or trying to accomplish, at least at the start of his career? I do, completely. Moses is a complicated figure, and completely repulsive in some ways -- and, of course, over time his pursuit of power changes him, and disfigures him, if we're willing to go that far in describing him. But his original impulse -- making life better for ordinary New Yorkers -- is one I applaud and think is worthwhile.
Humans are complex. Few are all good or all bad. Moses was a driven man with a pretty focused vision and he got stuff done! Big stuff. Huge, life altering stuff. As the book progresses, you can see where his vision became more about keeping power and doing things his way which eventually became detrimental to a large portion of the population. No surprise that the portion was/is minorities, low socio-economic, underserved communities. Still, he shaped NYC and part of the state, quite an amazing accomplishment for one human.
Im going to have to find those books this summer and read them! I’ll start my list. Also—my mom tells me and my siblings the same thing! We have to have something to look forward to. 🥰 Great advice! Thanks!!!
This made my day! I’ve been curious about that book - I mean, there’s a hit Broadway show based on it - so this is a good nudge. To your short list of greatest bios, I’d add Ron Chernow’s “Grant.” That was last summer’s big read and it got me through some long training hours to boot. Incredible history. Our country owes much to Grant.
I had no idea there was a Broadway show based on it! I've always wanted to check out Grant, by the way -- it's just that these door-stopper biographies take a LONG time to get through, especially at the speed I read. Maybe someday... :)
There's an older (perhaps ancient) couple where I live who decorate their house on every holiday--major, minor and the totally obscure. I've often thought that's their way of always having something to look forward to...and it reminds me that our lives can get small as we age...and it's soooo important to not let ourselves diminish with time. We must always have "something to look forward to." Per usual, T, a great and provocative post.
Thank you SO much, Diana!!!
I’ve had The Power Broker sitting on my shelves for a few years, but it’s been intimidating to actually pick up. The 99% Invisible podcast (https://99percentinvisible.org/club/) is doing a book club this year discussing the book, which I want to listen to. Just have to start reading first….
I've been listening to (and loving) that podcast companion to the book -- it's kept me going through the 1,300 pages. (Which I still have a LONG way to go through.)
Glad you are back!
Looking forward to the DoubleStack at the Eugene Marathon. A 5K to start . . . on the 27th, then Half Marathon on April 28th! Wished the whole group could be here, but it's not to be this year.
Looking forward to the fall when we all get together! How about the Charlotte Half in NC. Could be fun. :)
That could be! Also one maybe here in Atlanta -- there are several throughout the year here.
I was right. . . the 15th Half Marathon is in Athens on Nov. 3 2025.
Excuse me. . . Nov.3, 2024! Never was good on the keyboard! :)
The one in Charlotte was just one that came up as one of the 10 top Marathons, but I'm open to any! Atlanta would be great since it is on your own turf. Can't remember for sure, but I thought there was one in Athens. At the moment, I'm focused on Eugene since it is in two weeks!!
Let's see what the community goes for. In any event, it will be fun to get together!
Will be doing Wisconsin Half on 5/4, Fargo virtually in June, Charlotte is out for me … Caribbean cruise conflict. Space Coast in Cocoa on 12/1 and Palm Beach 12/15.
Gosh, you are busy, Dave! Let's see what the community comes up with. Terrell says he knows of several Half Marathons in the Atlanta area. I have a 5K and a half coming up in 2 weeks here in Eugene. Rest if open until the 10K in SF that I am signed up for in July! I'm excited to see where our meet-up will be this Fall! :)
Hello: Another thoughtful newsletter T! I gave up running about 6 mos ago, joined a new gym and have been swimming since January of this year. I have a great coach, so much to learn and nothing hurts in the water. After a good swimming work out this am, I thought I want to push myself even further w/ swimming. Today we practiced diving off the platform: so much fun! Swimming buddies encourage ea other and I look forward to having something to look forward to. I will be retiring w/in 2 years and this is definitely going to fill up some of my time. Another thing to look forward to.
I love hearing that, Denise!
Last time I dove off a platform was 57 years ago (I was 17) … 5M platform. No more for me … religious reasons … I’m a devout coward! Gonna post this and go swim laps.
How true! Having something to look forward to - matter how large or small, gives you hope for the future.
My grandfather used to always say that! 😊
Love that!
Let me begin by saying this M*A*S *H / Cheers /BBT freak never got Seinfeld! But alas, one more st have something to look forward to, even in it is something as mundane as picking up a few things at the grocery store … it provides continuity in our path through life.
Give it a chance, I think you'll love it! :)
How are you considering Moses thus far? I’m only a third of the way through the Powerbroker and I know we’re not supposed to like Moses. But as someone who’s come of age in the era of chronic housing shortages, negligent transportation upgrades, and some truly horrific urban experiences, thus far I’ve struggled to see Moses as the “bad guy” in spite of his arrogance and power hunger.
Reading in 2024 I keep thinking every chapter, “Well, Moses does have a point…”
This is a great, great question. Okay, so, if your question is, would I like this person if I met him? I think the answer is clearly no. But do I have empathy for what he was doing, or trying to accomplish, at least at the start of his career? I do, completely. Moses is a complicated figure, and completely repulsive in some ways -- and, of course, over time his pursuit of power changes him, and disfigures him, if we're willing to go that far in describing him. But his original impulse -- making life better for ordinary New Yorkers -- is one I applaud and think is worthwhile.
Humans are complex. Few are all good or all bad. Moses was a driven man with a pretty focused vision and he got stuff done! Big stuff. Huge, life altering stuff. As the book progresses, you can see where his vision became more about keeping power and doing things his way which eventually became detrimental to a large portion of the population. No surprise that the portion was/is minorities, low socio-economic, underserved communities. Still, he shaped NYC and part of the state, quite an amazing accomplishment for one human.
Im going to have to find those books this summer and read them! I’ll start my list. Also—my mom tells me and my siblings the same thing! We have to have something to look forward to. 🥰 Great advice! Thanks!!!
They're SOOOO good!!! I hope you love them as much as I have.
Thank you. I needed that today.
I'm so glad to hear that, Lisa!!
This made my day! I’ve been curious about that book - I mean, there’s a hit Broadway show based on it - so this is a good nudge. To your short list of greatest bios, I’d add Ron Chernow’s “Grant.” That was last summer’s big read and it got me through some long training hours to boot. Incredible history. Our country owes much to Grant.
I had no idea there was a Broadway show based on it! I've always wanted to check out Grant, by the way -- it's just that these door-stopper biographies take a LONG time to get through, especially at the speed I read. Maybe someday... :)
I hear you. I listened to Grant while packing to move last summer. There was also a road trip. 😂