Thoroughly Thursday - The Old Man Edition
This week, I care for an elderly family member. Also, Michael Lewis on the unsung heroes of the U.S. Government, Rich Roll on his chaotic rise to fitness influencer, and discover your writing style.
Welcome back to Thoroughly Thursday, the Old Man Edition. I'm often surprised how difficult it is, in this modern age of constant conveniences, to actually spend time with the people that you like. Between work, family obligations, competing schedules, and physical distances, it often feels like trying to secure a mutually available dinner reservation at a mid-tier fusion restaurant for four people takes the same level of effort as organizing a transnational trade summit.
For the better part of a year, K and I have been trying to set up a dinner with Ted and Lidia.1 However, there always seemed to be some issue that got in the way. Then, a few weeks ago, they invited us to spend the 4th of July at their cabin at Lake Arrowhead. There would be boating, hikes in the woods, and maybe even a barbecue.
We were happy to accept, but we struggled a bit with what to do with our family dog, Noodle. Noodle is getting up there in years, and while he is still spry, he's pushing 17 years old, which makes him approximately 90 years old in equivalent human years. While our youngest was going to stay home for the weekend, K and I figured it was best to keep him with us, as we were familiar with his routines and general moods. He'll love the outdoors, we thought to ourselves.
We arrived Friday afternoon at Ted and Lidia's cabin. In my mind's eye, I always envision a "cabin" as a throwback to Laura Ingalls Wilder, complete with a variation of walls made from giant tree logs, kerosene lanterns, a stone fireplace, and animal skins over a dirt floor. This "cabin" had none of that. It was a beautiful, multistory modern home which just happened to be surrounded by enormous evergreens. It was perfect.
Except, for Noodle, it wasn't. That first afternoon, I took him on a walk along the tree-lined street. He had been in the car for several hours on the way up, so I figured he would need to relieve himself. But, while he seemed to be enjoying himself, he didn't pee.
Over the next several hours and into the evening, and on multiple successive walks, Noodle would explore the leaf piles, perk up at the sound of nearby birds, saunter the dirt pathways, and sit quietly as the breeze ruffled his fur. But, he wouldn't "go."
My dog, who usually has no problem peeing outside on both city streets and grassy fields, under canopies, around trees, or between garden gnomes, suddenly couldn't understand that the majestic, forested area surrounding us was the place where he could do his business.
As the evening progressed, I grew increasingly concerned and approached Ted.
- We may have a problem. I'm worried that Noodle might have an "accident" tonight. Can we keep him on the porch overnight?
- Bad idea. There are bears and mountain lines in the area.
- Oh.
- Listen, don't worry about it. If he has an accident, we'll clean it up.
- You're sure?
- Yeah, it happens.
So, we went to bed, and sometime in the night, it did happen.
At 5:30 the following morning, K woke me up. Noodle had done the full business on the carpet in the guest bedroom we were occupying. Over the next 20 minutes, as we cleaned it up, I got increasingly angry.
- This is so frustrating. How does a dog not understand “outside?”
- Calm down. He's an old man now.
I took Noodle into the backyard, hoping that somehow it would dawn on him in the crisp morning air that the enormous space around the house was available to him to do his business.
He just looked up at me, confused.
By then, I had been up for a half-hour, and I, too, really had to pee. I considered providing a demonstration to my dog at a nearby tree, but then thought better of it. I brought Noodle back inside.
- I have a crazy idea. What if I take him home?
It was Saturday morning, and we were expecting to stay until the following day. It would be a 90-minute drive back to Los Angeles. The whole trip would be an enormous effort for a 25lb ball of fluff with bladder issues.
- No, that's....
- One time is an accident. But it won't be just one time.
- No, it won't.
- And, I want to be invited back. That won't happen if this continues.
Noodle took a moment to sniff at the cleaning supplies that still rested on the carpet. K looked at me.
- It's a long drive.
- I'll be back before breakfast.
Five minutes later, Noodle and I were on our way back to the city. He slept the whole way in the back seat. Precisely 94 minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot of our building. I let Noodle into our place, woke up our youngest to let her know that she was now on dog duty until the next day, and drove back to the mountains.
I arrived back as K and Lidia were chatting over breakfast. I sank into a chair and sipped at a proffered cup of coffee. I took a big gulp of mountain air and felt the tension leave my shoulders. The weekend was ahead of us, and the old man was safe at home, surrounded by the grimy city streets that he recognized as his own.
The rest of our trip was lovely. K and I were treated to a boat ride, had a boozy lunch, and visited a local museum. The following day, I learned how to play pickleball, which, I found out, is not just a modern version of shuffleboard.
For Noodle, he was so happy being home that later that day he peed on the floor again. But that happens with old guys sometimes.
Take care, my friends, and are you sure you don’t have to go? It’s a long drive.
A few cool things I have seen/read or have been sent from readers this week, in no particular order:
VIDEO: Author Michael Lewis has often had an uncanny knack for predicting what is going to be a consequential story, often years before people realize it. From Liar's Poker, The Big Short, and Moneyball, Lewis has a great way of telling the story of ordinary people that allows you to understand an entire industry. Recently, Lewis assembled a group of accomplished writers to create Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. The book tells the story of a handful of unsung heroes of the U.S. Government, many of whom have toiled diligently for decades in the shadows, doing the hard work that keeps our world functioning. A few weeks ago, he discussed the book and his thoughts on the many recent DOGE cuts with a reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald and how that may play out in the next several years.
BOOK: As someone who is often looking for strategies for getting things on paper, I was pleasantly surprised by this thoughtful, practical guide, Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts by Bec Evans and Chris Smith, on getting words on the page. Like many creative activities, writing is subject to numerous myths about the "proper" way to write. However, after leading writing groups for several years (along with reading through a healthy dose of neuroscience research), the authors have determined that finding and accepting a process that works for you, even if it is unconventional, is the real goal. With a handful of exercises, tools, and methods to track your progress, you can quickly identify your particular writing style and get to work.
PODCAST: It's always fun when two wildly successful podcasters decide to interview each other for their respective podcasts. In 2022, productivity hacker and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss interviewed ultramarathoner and vegan athlete Rick Roll about his early life as a college athlete, then an alcoholic lawyer, and how his many stumbles led to him becoming a mid-life distance athlete and successful creator. The interview is lengthy (2 hours), but Roll's journey and his unique perspective are both fascinating and inspiring.
What I'm Thinking About - You Have to Accept What You Have First
"The ‘good life’ begins when you stop wanting a better one.”
- Nkosiphambili E. Molapis
All the best, and remember, tomorrow is Friday. 🙂
Scott
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P.P.S. So, if you’ve seen the new F1 movie and thought, I can totally do that, check out this video of amateur road racers in comparison to the pros.
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Names have been changed to protect the innocent.