If there’s a common theme to the separate adventures we had over last weekend, it’s probably Attempts to Defy Cultural Reinforcement. Magda took our son to an Accepted Student event and met parents who wanted to know how promptly the school responds to phone calls. Because modern parents still feel compelled to fly our helicopters onto campuses and advocate for our kids in a chaotic world.
Meanwhile, Doug wondered if road-tripping to bourbon country with an “activity buddy” might elevate the rapport to a closer friendship. Because the prevailing wisdom is that a lot of men—especially middle-aged men—sidestep intimacy and therefore have a difficult time making new friends.
Amid the thunderstorms, car-accident traffic, and eggplant rollatini, the weekend offered up some valuable revelations. Doug’s new friend had a painful story to tell and knows the value of being able to tell it. Colleges build cafeterias that look like Hedwig might fly in any minute. And once you have your first egg salad sandwich with smoked mayo, you won’t go back.
We also talk about attending the Boston Marathon on Patriots’ Day, finding new subscribers in bars (Hi, Kelly!), and why refueling an EV requires a little foreplay.
Previous episodes referenced:
Other links:
Behold the low-riding majesty of the Lucid Air EV.
Jess was worth the wagon-wheel coffee table.
Bardstown hosts the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
Why Gen Z is more open to talking about mental health
“A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.”
Episode 42: "I was wondering how deep we were gonna go."