Hello. It’s been a bit. One small thing — this newsletter is now free for everyone. I’ve stopped billing, and removed the subscriber option at sign-up. For the foreseeable future, it’ll all be free. Thanks for your support, and if you have friends who like free stuff, now’s the time to tell them to sign up! Anyway.
How does this work? Each newsletter you’ll see one reader’s answer to the previous week’s question. Then you’ll see the question they have for the list, which you can respond to if you’d like. Or you can just read and enjoy.
Previous ask:
Who’s one person that had a profound impact on you without ever knowing it?
Alex answers:
I run cross country. I'm not fast, but I run. My JV team was at this meet, the Varsity team was at some other place. The meet was really strange, as the course was built into a dam. A really hilly, hard course that was only 3 miles long. Not one of us on the team was looking forward to it. So we start the race, and about a mile in, I heard this kid call to me. I had never seen the kid before, he wasn't on any team I had ever heard. I should probably mention that my school name has the word "Valley" in it. I'll never forget this kid.
He said, "Come on valley boy, stick with me." I watched as he passed me, going at a pretty descent speed. He noticed that I didn't keep with him, mostly because were about half way done and I'm tired as all hell. He looked back and said, "Come on Valley boy, catch up." I just figured he was talking shit or something, but I decided to catch him. As I run up next to him, he muttered, "Thatta boy, Valley boy." We picked up the pace. Faster and faster. I was 100% sure I couldn't hold the pace, but whenever I slowed down, he made sure to shout some encouragement. We would pass kids from all teams (even my own), but he wouldn't say a word to them. Only me. He had me going all out. I couldn't breathe, and he knew that, but he needed me to keep up for some damn reason.
So anyways, we finished the race, and I could not believe my time. 2 or 3 minutes faster than I had ever run before. I was astonished. He walked up to me, smiling real big. I can only assume he could see in my eyes that I had a new record. He shook my hand and said, "Good job valley boy."
I can't explain why the kid did what he did. He must have just been a good kid. I'll never forget that dude, and he taught me a lot about being a good person, even if only to a complete stranger.
Alex asks:
What do you want to do in 2021 that you couldn’t do in 2020?
If you’d like to answer this question, you can simply hit reply to this email and write it in. Be sure to also include a question that you’d like to submit next. And tell us a story — your answer will be the bulk of the next newsletter. We will only use your first name, but if you wish to answer anonymously, let us know.
Bits and Pieces
From time to time, I’ll throw some updates, links, and other notes at the bottom of the newsletter.
Recent additions to the perfect songs playlist.
“Somebody Made for Me” — Emitt Rhodes
“Bring on the Night” — The Police
“I Had a Talk with My Man Last Night” — Mitty Collier
David Bowie in 1999 on how the internet would change everything. Right, as usual.
My strategy for buying books. Also, for audiobooks, it’s been a slow process but I’ve basically transitioned off Audible to Libro.fm. Feels good.
This stuff is mind-blowingly tasty.
My latest favorite exercise for either the top or very end of a workout.
If you’re interested, I just updated my website with a full list of projects I’ve worked and am working on. That includes the Radiotopia history show, and the NBA/Pushkin “Last Dance” series which just wrapped. Take a look and listen! I’ve got a few other projects brewing for later this year and into 2021, and also casting about to find a home for a few things. Should be fun.