Existentialism in the desert, some epic sowing and reaping, idiocy from a classic rocker, a quick trip to D.C., and a moving guest post from a longtime reader.
I’ve got two seniors I’m having to deal with college visits. My son is looking at places like MIT, Yale and other schools like that. He’s also looking at University of Virginia and William and Mary (which is practically in my backyard, and UVA is only a few hours away). Interestingly, Yale may end being cheapest, at least according to their online calculator. I put in my information and it says (not sure I believe this) it will cost about $11k per year out of pocket, for a $70k/year retail price school that seems like a pretty good deal.
The "asses" vs "butts" terminology question leads one to wonder why some words are considered offensive while a synonym is considered acceptable? If both words mean the same thing, why is one of them more offensive?
- While the Mets were walloping the Reds, I was at Citi Field donating blood. The blood drive was in a space called Club Piazza, which is very nice and looks like an upscale hotel lounge and has windows that face entirely out of the stadium, overlooking the parking lot and the 7 train and whatever skyline is visible (weather and wildfires permitting). I wonder why you would want to go to a ballpark for any function, a game or a party or a conference, and overlook the parking lot. Anyway, blood was donated, and I got a LGM t-shirt clearly left from an earlier promotion since it has a Goya logo. There wasn't any other Mets connection going on, and the woman oddly dressed in a lifesize costume as a cartoony drop of blood was disappointed she couldn't have her photo taken with Mister Met.
- I can't speak as a parent, but when I was Anna's age, the idea of going to college anywhere but near home freaked me out. I can never understand how 17 year olds are ready to live far from home, or how parents are ready to permit that. I remember what we were like at the age. Living in a dorm in a religious Jew college an hour's subway ride from home was both daunting enough and fraught enough. (I still don't know how two of my roommates didn't drink themselves into a coma.) Never mind that I can't really see it being worth the extra money to let your kids go out of state. Wouldn't going to The Ohio State University be a lot cheaper for a resident? Why even think about super-expensive private colleges when most public colleges are pretty good? (And please tell me Anna isn't going to have to take a loan. I am of the mind that parents and not students should foot the bill for college, and should be the ones to take a loan so that the poor kids aren't burdened with debt from day one.)
- I am very glad you are still with us, Aaron. Thank you for having the courage to write about your experiences.
Aaron -- thank you. That was a powerful message and I'm sure it's not one that's easy to share. Depression doesn't always present itself with what are considered "classic" symptoms, and none of us knows what anyone else may be going through. I'm glad you're here to remind us of that.
Crowdsourcing - what is your favorite baseball podcast? I'm looking for a good one.
Back in the day, I enjoyed ESPN's Baseball Today podcast. Young Eric Karabell and older Peter Pascarelli made a great team. The banter was good but no one was doing an act. Most importantly they talked straight-up baseball. Not fantasy; not gambling (would have been verbotten at the time!). Just a few recaps, a round-the-league bit, and maybe an interview.
As a Northwestern grad, let me just say this: visiting in the late summer may be gorgeous, but visiting in January is essential. I made the mistake of thinking that just because I handled New Jersey winters fine I'd be good with them in Chicago. Nope!
Fantastic post, Aaron. Last night was a bad physical pain night for me and I texted a friend and she reminded me of the things I still want to do. This could not have been posted at a better time. Especially as the disability community mourns Erin Gilmer.
“Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am part of mankind…“
I’m glad you’re still here, Aaron. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic post Aaron. I'm glad you were able to make the decision you did. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
"Has anyone as mediocre as he is at literally everything he has ever done been even half as celebrated?"
Jim Morrison on Line 1, John Lennon on Line 2, Craig
Aaron, I don't know you and will likely never meet you. But I'm glad you're still here. Thank you for sharing your story.
I’ve got two seniors I’m having to deal with college visits. My son is looking at places like MIT, Yale and other schools like that. He’s also looking at University of Virginia and William and Mary (which is practically in my backyard, and UVA is only a few hours away). Interestingly, Yale may end being cheapest, at least according to their online calculator. I put in my information and it says (not sure I believe this) it will cost about $11k per year out of pocket, for a $70k/year retail price school that seems like a pretty good deal.
AC, you're an inspiration, and I'm glad to know you. - SDB
The Pittsburgh Pirates may suck really, really bad at baseball, but how do you think the Mets feel, having just lost 4 of 7 to them?
The "asses" vs "butts" terminology question leads one to wonder why some words are considered offensive while a synonym is considered acceptable? If both words mean the same thing, why is one of them more offensive?
Great post, Aaron. Now I'm crying.
Is it just me or does the Padres recap say Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run every day? I think Craig is recycling these things.
Aaron: We do sorta know you a little bit, and very glad to have you around. Thanks for the very moving post.
- While the Mets were walloping the Reds, I was at Citi Field donating blood. The blood drive was in a space called Club Piazza, which is very nice and looks like an upscale hotel lounge and has windows that face entirely out of the stadium, overlooking the parking lot and the 7 train and whatever skyline is visible (weather and wildfires permitting). I wonder why you would want to go to a ballpark for any function, a game or a party or a conference, and overlook the parking lot. Anyway, blood was donated, and I got a LGM t-shirt clearly left from an earlier promotion since it has a Goya logo. There wasn't any other Mets connection going on, and the woman oddly dressed in a lifesize costume as a cartoony drop of blood was disappointed she couldn't have her photo taken with Mister Met.
- I can't speak as a parent, but when I was Anna's age, the idea of going to college anywhere but near home freaked me out. I can never understand how 17 year olds are ready to live far from home, or how parents are ready to permit that. I remember what we were like at the age. Living in a dorm in a religious Jew college an hour's subway ride from home was both daunting enough and fraught enough. (I still don't know how two of my roommates didn't drink themselves into a coma.) Never mind that I can't really see it being worth the extra money to let your kids go out of state. Wouldn't going to The Ohio State University be a lot cheaper for a resident? Why even think about super-expensive private colleges when most public colleges are pretty good? (And please tell me Anna isn't going to have to take a loan. I am of the mind that parents and not students should foot the bill for college, and should be the ones to take a loan so that the poor kids aren't burdened with debt from day one.)
- I am very glad you are still with us, Aaron. Thank you for having the courage to write about your experiences.
Aaron -- thank you. That was a powerful message and I'm sure it's not one that's easy to share. Depression doesn't always present itself with what are considered "classic" symptoms, and none of us knows what anyone else may be going through. I'm glad you're here to remind us of that.
Crowdsourcing - what is your favorite baseball podcast? I'm looking for a good one.
Back in the day, I enjoyed ESPN's Baseball Today podcast. Young Eric Karabell and older Peter Pascarelli made a great team. The banter was good but no one was doing an act. Most importantly they talked straight-up baseball. Not fantasy; not gambling (would have been verbotten at the time!). Just a few recaps, a round-the-league bit, and maybe an interview.
Any podcasts in a similar style out there?
As a Northwestern grad, let me just say this: visiting in the late summer may be gorgeous, but visiting in January is essential. I made the mistake of thinking that just because I handled New Jersey winters fine I'd be good with them in Chicago. Nope!
Fantastic post, Aaron. Last night was a bad physical pain night for me and I texted a friend and she reminded me of the things I still want to do. This could not have been posted at a better time. Especially as the disability community mourns Erin Gilmer.