Alright! What an amazing set of responses to last week’s question. It was really cool to see.
But you know the drill, I only choose one answer to highlight each newsletter. I was thinking it would take a bit to build to this point, but since we got so many good responses already, I’m going to start posting a larger collection of them for members. So, if you want to see those, mash this button and you’ll get access later this week....
Previous Question:
What was the first album you ever bought?
Anna answers: The first album I ever bought was Pat Benatar’s Live From Earth on LP. Just a few years later, LPs had been completely replaced by CDs at most music stores. I was 8 at the time and I remember how empowered Pat Benatar sounded, particularly on Hit Me With Your Best Shot. At that time, I was being told in school that I should learn to type because typing is a good career women can always fall back on. It was great to see a successful woman wearing black (gasp) and singing in a strong voice with a little attitude.
Anna’s Ask:
What is a skill that you would most like to improve or develop?
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. You can also submit your answer anonymously here. And tell us a story — your answer will be the bulk of the next newsletter.
Bits and Pieces
From time to time, I’ll throw some updates, links, and other notes at the bottom of the newsletter.
Hey, we launched a new season of 30 for 30 podcasts this week. I'm really excited about these stories, and I promise, there’s something for everyone. The first is about books and steroids and revenge.
A person I care about a lot is running the NYC marathon for a cause I care about a lot.
In my experience, somewhere around 13 months, little kids develop an incredible skill for pulling books off shelves. For a while I had this idea that I would commit to reading at least one chapter of every one my daughter pulled down, figuring it would be a good way to re-connect with books I hadn’t touched in a decade. That quickly became untenable — she pulls down five books at a time and I have a job — but it’s been fun to see my collection through her random targeting. Anyway, shoutout to Cervantes, Zadie Smith, Richard Brautigan, and Jesmyn Ward; your books hit the floor this Wednesday morning.
Live on Earth totally captured Pat Benatar at her absolute best. Such a rockin version of Hit Me With Your Best Shot and I love that new wavish live version of We Live For Love.