2020 dramatically changed my outlook for the better. I've been depressed and anxious for much of my life, but the pandemic left me with much time to take stock of what makes me happy. I learned to appreciate how fortunate I am to be healthy. I realized how lucky I am to have savings at this time in this country such that those savings—relative to the rest of world history—provide economical access to close to the best all-time living conditions (heated home, healthcare, transportation, diversity of people and entertainment, etc.) I reduced my spending by doing more of what fulfilled me (hanging with/talking to friends and family, playing sports for fun, learning through reading) as opposed to the more expensive and temporary highs and unproductive thinking (dinners out, bar-hopping, comparing my success to others) of my past.
I had a lot of free home time in 2020 to read FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and other retirement studies and realized how much less I had to earn if I cut out unneeded costs that provide, at best, temporary highs. Living simpler, along with meditation, has minimized anxiety and depression. I know I have it easier than most here and almost all in history, and I've finally learned to be grateful.
Infinite Jest was amazing to me. It can be difficult (I actually took notes to keep track of all the characters and plotlines), but Wallace was so interesting and funny page-by-page, I was always excited to keep reading. Nothing is neatly tied up--there is much debate over what happened. So if you aren't enjoying the process, it may not be worth it.
His nonfiction is probably better. Start with "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" (the actual essay, not the book) or my favorite, "Ticket to the Fair," which you can access for free on Harper's website:
If we aren't limited to now, the Pirates were the worst organization from the mid-90s until 2007 (when Neal Huntington became GM). Most consecutive losing seasons of all time (until Huntington had time to get his system/players in place), worst trades/free-agent signings (e.g., Derek Bell, trading for over-the-hill Matt Morris and agreeing to take on full salary), an owner who's business model was to maximize profit by minimizing salary. The horror.
I graduated a number of years before Steve Breaston and Ryan Mundy attended.
I went to school there when Jason Taylor played. I never saw him, though, since he was home-schooled and I never watched a game.
Infinite Jest is the best, and easily the funniest, novel I've ever read.
A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never do Again is my favorite book of essays from Wallace.
For you grammar Nazis, read "Authority and American Usage" from Consider the Lobster.
I read part of DFW's essay on prescriptive v. descriptive dictionaries. I think (not positive) he sided with the prescriptive dictionaries. But he admitted those dictionaries adopted the language at some arbitrary time in its evolution.
Which, I'm betting, he later struggled for way too long to reconcile, causing him an at least subconscious existential dread at all the important stuff he would now never have time to consider. But and because he knew he could never learn even a billionth of a trillionth of all the important stuff going on at each moment he didn't waste, the whole exercise turned depressing and futile, and his insignificance became all too clear.
Espn.com reported that Weis said the following, alluding to Carroll's affair:
"Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news.
"He's doing it in Malibu and it's not national news."
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4719509
The comment was directed at Carroll. That's no hypothetical, and he's stated the rumor of Carroll's affair as fact. Weis had to have known of the possibility that one of the five reporters to which he made the quote would report it. And since he was complaining about the scrutiny he receives, he had to have known that if the quote were reported, the rumor would become a national story. Because of Weis' comment, a disparaging rumor that could affect a marriage and family is now a national story. To use the rumor to defend his morals is reprehensible.
Irish,
Weis' comment was inexcusable. He took the most high-profile job at a school with a major network television contract, incredibly rich boosters, and a prestige near the top of college sports. He arguably touted himself as a genius play-caller, yet claims surprise his comment was so widely reported, regardless of his audience. I don't believe him. He has to remember Jimmy the Greek's off-the-cuff, "off record" remark becoming national front page news. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples.
And to try to "out" another coach's affair? That can destroy a marriage and a family. I can't remember a more indefensible comment from a college football--no, major college sports--coach. I had gained some respect for Weis when he blamed himself for the poor performance of ND during his tenure. Now I consider him of the worst character.
I lived in Couzens Freshman year during 1991-92. Apparently Jeter, then a high school senior, visited some friends there. One of my hallmates saw him and, after learning who he was, asked him to play on our intramural softball team. Jeter politely declined.
Recent Comments
2020 dramatically changed my outlook for the better. I've been depressed and anxious for much of my life, but the pandemic left me with much time to take stock of what makes me happy. I learned to appreciate how fortunate I am to be healthy. I realized how lucky I am to have savings at this time in this country such that those savings—relative to the rest of world history—provide economical access to close to the best all-time living conditions (heated home, healthcare, transportation, diversity of people and entertainment, etc.) I reduced my spending by doing more of what fulfilled me (hanging with/talking to friends and family, playing sports for fun, learning through reading) as opposed to the more expensive and temporary highs and unproductive thinking (dinners out, bar-hopping, comparing my success to others) of my past.
I had a lot of free home time in 2020 to read FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and other retirement studies and realized how much less I had to earn if I cut out unneeded costs that provide, at best, temporary highs. Living simpler, along with meditation, has minimized anxiety and depression. I know I have it easier than most here and almost all in history, and I've finally learned to be grateful.
on restraint
Infinite Jest was amazing to me. It can be difficult (I actually took notes to keep track of all the characters and plotlines), but Wallace was so interesting and funny page-by-page, I was always excited to keep reading. Nothing is neatly tied up--there is much debate over what happened. So if you aren't enjoying the process, it may not be worth it.
His nonfiction is probably better. Start with "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" (the actual essay, not the book) or my favorite, "Ticket to the Fair," which you can access for free on Harper's website:
http://harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/HarpersMagazine-1994-07-0001729.p…
by Warrant.
If we aren't limited to now, the Pirates were the worst organization from the mid-90s until 2007 (when Neal Huntington became GM). Most consecutive losing seasons of all time (until Huntington had time to get his system/players in place), worst trades/free-agent signings (e.g., Derek Bell, trading for over-the-hill Matt Morris and agreeing to take on full salary), an owner who's business model was to maximize profit by minimizing salary. The horror.