Savannah and maxims
Some quotes lingering with me, plus my weekly shareables: AI under ALS, cracking a sugar habit, and two low riders
I’m writing this from Savannah, one of my favorite cities in America, where I’m part of an incredible lineup of authors at this weekend’s Savannah Book Festival. If you happen to be in the vicinity, I’m speaking at 2:20 on Saturday at the Neises Auditorium in the Jepson Center downtown. It’s free!
I’ll be signing copies of DOGLAND afterward … I believe you have to buy a copy at the festival. They helpfully put my books next to megaseller Scott Turow (PRESUMED INNOCENT, among others). So I’m hoping to sell at least a few by osmosis.
As you might imagine it’s a busy weekend, so before I get to this week’s shareables, I want to pass along two quotes that have been in my head this week—one from me, and one from the great comedian Gary Gulman.
Mine popped into my head the other day, when I was trying to record my commentary for WFAE before we headed down to Savannah. I was trying to get done and finish packing and get out the door as quick as we could, but I kept screwing up the recording—I’d stumble over words or lose my place. Once I finally got done, I had this thought:
Every time I try to go too fast, it just takes longer.
I feel like that one has a lot of different applications.
The thought from Gary came from his conversation with Anna Sale on her podcast DEATH, SEX & MONEY. I highlighted that show in last week’s links, but one thing Gary said has really stuck with me. Gary has spent years struggling with anxiety and depression, and he’s now in a much better place. And here’s one of the things he said about it:
Once you can accept yourself, you don’t see people who love you as having something wrong with them.
Beautiful.
If you have your own words to live by, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
10 things I wanted to share this week:
My weekly for WFAE was about borders, and wondering why we care so much about them.
My friend Justin Heckert wrote a touching (but also hilarious) piece about his friend with ALS, and how artificial intelligence became a weird and unlikely ally in their journey. (It turns out you can tell AI to draw pretty much anything.) (Slate)
Everyone’s lonely but no one can hang out. This inspired me to get our household’s own supper club finally up and running. (Amanda Litman)
Caity Weaver tries to tackle her astounding sugar habit—and winds up contemplating the meaning of life. (NYT)
Why Gen X women are having the best sex. (And, maybe, the most sex?) (NYT)
British murder series update: We are deeply into PROFESSOR T, which stars Ben Miller (formerly of DEATH IN PARADISE, another favorite) as a neurotic criminologist who solves cases the police finds too tough to crack. Extra points for making all the secondary characters so sharply drawn.
There's gonna be another KNIVES OUT movie! The second one was … not fantastic … but the first one is still such a joy. Bring me some more Benoit Blanc. (Variety)
For inspiration and motivation: Austin Kleon made four downloadable posters for your workspace. (Example: APPLY ASS TO CHAIR.)
Alix and I heard Kyle Watson’s remix of War’s “Low Rider” at lunch the other day and we’ve been a little obsessed with it ever since. I would definitely have jumped on the dance floor for this back in my clubbing days. (Yes, dammit, I had some clubbing days.)
10. Having said all that, nothing beats the original.
Upcoming events:
Today! (Feb. 8): Savannah Book Festival (I’m speaking at 2:20 p.m., just before my bud Joe Posnanski)
Feb. 22: Southern Voices in Hoover, Alabama
March 30: Distinguished Speaker Series at Lanier Library in Tryon, NC
Have a great weekend, everybody…
—TT
What! Me worry?
Alfred E. Nueman
‘Crying won’t help you tie your shoes.” My father said that to me when as a small child I cried in frustration because I couldn’t tie them. He did not help me, he stood patiently and watched me do it. I have thought of that in so many situations over the years.