In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection
Things to read, watch, look at and listen to
I know it’s been a while, but here’s another list of things that I found interesting. Don’t hold me to it, but I’m going to try to do better on this newsletter in 2023.
Anyway, here’s a picture of Marvin the Boston Terrier.
Who Cares What Happened to a Middle-Class Hijacker
This is an old one, from the June 1, 1972 edition of Esquire. Jerry Bledsoe does an excellent job of telling the tale of a married father of seven who is struggling with finances and becomes a hijacker. Following his death, there is an incredible turn to the story that makes things all the more interesting. This is a well reported character study.
A podcast to listen to
I first heard of Brin-Jonathan Butler via his boxing writing — check out “The high-priced underground economy of smuggling champion Cuban boxers” via ESPN The Magazine — and whenever I see his writing I read it. I don’t remember how I came across it, but I recently discovered his “Tourist Information” podcast, which is closing in on 90 episodes and I can’t recommend it enough.
The tagline for the podcast is “Insiders looking out and outsiders looking in to the world of Literature, Journalism, Sports and Film,” which is a perfect listen to someone like me.
A Christmas movie
How Jessica Logan’s Call for Help Became Evidence Against Her
There are plenty of “ courtroom sciences” that have been debunked these past few years — bite marks, fire studies, etc… But that doesn’t stop new “sciences” from popping up. This story dives into 9-1-1 call analysis, which, to be blunt, sounds like some of the junkiest junk science ever.
An Instagram you should follow
Bad Faith at Second Mesa
Three archeology thieves grab sacred Hopi artifacts and only bad things follow for everyone involved. There are no winners or happy endings in this story from Jaq Evans via Truly Adventurous.
A book to read
I’m a big fan of Southern Gothic writing and this one fits that mold somewhat. Bonnie Jo Campbell’s, “Once Upon a River.” This is a good description from a review, "Ms. Campbell’s intent is to reveal the hard life of social outsiders, while also celebrating their small ways of survival.."
David Simon Made Baltimore Detectives Famous. Now Their Cases Are Falling Apart. Has reality caught up to the “Murder Police”?
This is a very good read and something viewers of The Wire might be interested in. Outside of that, followers of what has become known as copaganda since David Simon released his book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, will find this to be essential reading. Story from Lara Bazelon via New York magazine.