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Winter holiday edition: This week’s heroes. Helping Ukraine. A NYC vigil. A few suggestions.
By
Published: Feb 25, 2022
Category:
editor's letter
Image: colors of the Ukraine flag beamed on the Coliseum
GONE FISHING
From a Times interview with a Yale professor who teaches “Psychology and the Good Life,” one of the school’s most popular courses:
I know the signs of burnout. It’s not like one morning you wake up, and you’re burnt. You’re noticing more emotional exhaustion. You’re noticing what researchers call depersonalization. You get annoyed with people more quickly. You immediately assume someone’s intentions are bad. You start feeling ineffective.
Sound familiar? Sounds like just about everyone I know.
I think I’ll pass.
Last week, I sent the polished draft of Bringing Home the Birkin to Michael Tonello, author of the memoir.
Today, I finished the draft of my novel and sent it to the focus group.
Tomorrow, I’m winging off to an island for a week. I’m bringing a laptop that I hope not to use for anything that isn’t urgent. I’m also bringing six books — five of them are short — and I hope to read them, cool drink in hand. See you again, reasonably chill, on March 8.
HEROES OF THE WEEK
A Russian Military Ship ordered 13 Ukrainian troops on Snake Island to surrender. They were met with a response of “Russian Military Ship, go fuck yourself.” The 13 Ukrainian soldiers were all killed, but with dignity. Click for the video of the order and the response.
HEROINE OF THE WEEK
Layla Moran, a British Liberal Democrat, used her parliamentary privilege to name Russian oligarchs who should be sanctioned.
A FEW WAYS TO HELP UKRAINIANS
Timothy Snyder, author of Bloodlands, writes:
Ukraine is not a rich country. The average household makes less than $7000 a year. A little money, sent in the right direction, can make a meaningful difference. And it might give you a sense that you have done the right thing, at least in a small way, at the right moment.
NYC VIGIL FOR UKRAINE
On Monday night, February 28, at the conclusion of the 2022 PEN America Literary Awards, PEN America will gather luminaries of the literary and cultural worlds for a candlelight vigil in support of a free Ukraine. The event will take place about 10pm EST outside New York City’s Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street). Laurie Anderson, Jennifer Egan and Gary Shteyngart will read from the works of Ukrainian thinkers and poets.
WHILE I’M AWAY: SUGGESTIONS
Books
Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan
The All of It, by Jeannette Haien
Jesus’ Son, by Denis Johhson
Ashenden, by Somerset Maugham
Movies
The Castle, the funniest movie ever made in Australia
Troubled Water, astonishingly intense.
The Letter, a Bette Davis/William Wyler classic
