Products |
July 4, 2013: The Pursuit of Happiness
By
Published: Jul 03, 2013
Category:
Beyond Classification
The Fourth of July finds us in Ely, Minnesota, where the road ends and the Boundary Waters begin. The child will, for the first time, get to drive a golf cart in the town’s parade. My wife will probably walk a gazillion miles. And I, true to form, will sit on the dock and read.
I’m always thrilled to make this trip, but I’m not in a holiday mood this year. I just learned that a friend has died, and though we hadn’t talked in a decade, I feel cheated; I didn’t get to say goodbye to her. And, of course, I feel what I always do in these moments: I wish that hadn’t happened.
I seem to wish that about a lot these days. Almost every bit of news, and especially news about energy and climate and health and women’s rights, sends me the same message: very stupid people are endangering the rest of us. The hour is late, and yet these people are running a nonstop filibuster. I keep thinking I’m supposed to do something about this, but what? And so I turn my attention back to the revision of my novel, which is both painful and a joy.
Patriotism? I’m going through the motions. And I’m betting that, to a lesser or greater degree, you may be too. So what follows has a modest goal — it’s stuff that makes me feel good. Or maybe just more awake.
THINGS
Anthelios Sunscreen with Mexoryl: we keep an eye out for better but don’t find it. Call it the gold standard.
Portable amps for iPhones: cost $3, worth at least $5.
Egyptian Magic: You could mix this up yourself, but why?
BOOKS
Mission to Paris: An American movie star. Nazis. Paris. 1938. Good luck putting it down.
Alice Munro: she says she’s retiring. If these are her last stories, she leaves at the top of the game.
Freedom: the ‘Gone with the Wind’ of suburban America. The hardcover is $5.25. Best buy on Amazon. Beautiful Ruins: the second best under $10 buy on Amazon
The Things They Carried: If you’re only going to read one thing about Vietnam…
Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O, and the Love Triangle That Brought Down the Kennedys: Dishy, provocative, maybe even true.
The Four Just Men: The smartest vigilantes ever.
The Widow Waltz: Chick lit beach read. Hamptons, of course.
MUSIC
Bombino: I was tapping feet to the new CD, but it’s his first release, which is quieter and more mysterious, that’s now in heavy rotation.
MOVIE
Magic Mike: in India, when it’s hot, eat spices. Here? Swatch a male stripper. (for instant rental)
HOUSE PRESENTS
Pu-erh tea: Yes, this brick converts nicely to iced tea.
‘Maybe You Touched Your Genitals’ soap: a quick way of learning if your friends have “issues.”
