Hey Tom, really glad to see these back. I remember reading my first weekly Newsletter On Walking and haven't missed a publication since. Not coming from a religious family, your book is my own kind of bible, as funny as that sounds. It helps remind me of what really constitutes the good life and even how to live a good life and what's important (though I know you're reticent to dish out life advice!). Really enjoying your podcast with Craig. I now definitely need a vinyl player. And the Omnibus on a Sunday morning beats the hell out of any weekend newspaper. Keep up the good work mate. Cheers, Tom
There is always something to be said for the ritual of at least a weekly essay. Small observations can always serve to anchor larger ideas and trends, after all. I hope and practice small family rituals in our immediate nuclear family to try and offset the emptiness of these token holidays that only mark time, not the heart.
Craig's observation about the pandemic reminds me of the lament of how people came to the US to escape the limits of the monarchy, and yet, then went on to name all the streets after England and recreate the "jail" they left.
That’s a very interesting point there, worth. How much are the manacles ‘mind-forg’d’?
Still it sounds like you personally are on the right path with your family rituals. After all, all of the great and meaningful traditions and celebrations had to start somewhere. Cheers.
There was hope—I think—when all the lockdowns started. Remember the glorious summer weather that never seemed to end, the less cars on the roads, the quiet town centres, and people just sitting around in parks enjoying themselves?
People seemed to have realised that life wasn't just about work. People were doing other things. Most people weren't working 8-hours a day.
It seems to have all disappeared again now. Most people I know are being forced to go back into the office more and more days a week again, just to sit in queues of cars on roads and show their face in greyer room.
Which is why I need to regularly bang the drum for the flaneur life. Which is mostly a frame of mind or way of seeing. Work may be unavoidable- but endless telly watching, content consuming, doom scrolling etc is absolutely optional and avoidable.
I was reading a lot of big time (but good) substack essayists and noticed that they posted a long piece every 2-3 weeks. I emulated that cadence to see if I could compete with them quality-wise. Footnotes and citations and insight. I believe I held my own and the news essay did great numbers. But I believe I lost a little part of myself, of my style in the process. So now I’m back to the old approach.
Thanks for the comment Ivan, it tells me I’m on the right track.
I’m not categorically ruling them out, it just has to he organic rather than forced because big long essays are what the clever people do. Seems I’m not immune to mimesis.
So much that I love in here it’s hard to catalog. Thanks for this one. Many reminders.
Appreciate that. It’s all reminders to myself too, easy to be complacent and blinkered if we are not careful.
Hey Tom, really glad to see these back. I remember reading my first weekly Newsletter On Walking and haven't missed a publication since. Not coming from a religious family, your book is my own kind of bible, as funny as that sounds. It helps remind me of what really constitutes the good life and even how to live a good life and what's important (though I know you're reticent to dish out life advice!). Really enjoying your podcast with Craig. I now definitely need a vinyl player. And the Omnibus on a Sunday morning beats the hell out of any weekend newspaper. Keep up the good work mate. Cheers, Tom
This has just made my weekend. Thanks for this Tom, it means a lot to read this.
Pleasure Tom. Have a nice weekend.
You too, mate. An essay of mine will be out later today, and I’m just finishing up the Omnibus for tomorrow via my soaringtwenties.substack
Cheers!
There is always something to be said for the ritual of at least a weekly essay. Small observations can always serve to anchor larger ideas and trends, after all. I hope and practice small family rituals in our immediate nuclear family to try and offset the emptiness of these token holidays that only mark time, not the heart.
Craig's observation about the pandemic reminds me of the lament of how people came to the US to escape the limits of the monarchy, and yet, then went on to name all the streets after England and recreate the "jail" they left.
That’s a very interesting point there, worth. How much are the manacles ‘mind-forg’d’?
Still it sounds like you personally are on the right path with your family rituals. After all, all of the great and meaningful traditions and celebrations had to start somewhere. Cheers.
There was hope—I think—when all the lockdowns started. Remember the glorious summer weather that never seemed to end, the less cars on the roads, the quiet town centres, and people just sitting around in parks enjoying themselves?
People seemed to have realised that life wasn't just about work. People were doing other things. Most people weren't working 8-hours a day.
It seems to have all disappeared again now. Most people I know are being forced to go back into the office more and more days a week again, just to sit in queues of cars on roads and show their face in greyer room.
Anyway.
Nice to have these essays back.
Which is why I need to regularly bang the drum for the flaneur life. Which is mostly a frame of mind or way of seeing. Work may be unavoidable- but endless telly watching, content consuming, doom scrolling etc is absolutely optional and avoidable.
Didn’t realise this, but now I understand how I missed these weekly essays. Happy they are back, great stuff!
I was reading a lot of big time (but good) substack essayists and noticed that they posted a long piece every 2-3 weeks. I emulated that cadence to see if I could compete with them quality-wise. Footnotes and citations and insight. I believe I held my own and the news essay did great numbers. But I believe I lost a little part of myself, of my style in the process. So now I’m back to the old approach.
Thanks for the comment Ivan, it tells me I’m on the right track.
Cheers.
I'd still love to see you try them now and again.
I’m not categorically ruling them out, it just has to he organic rather than forced because big long essays are what the clever people do. Seems I’m not immune to mimesis.
Exactly. Office escapism and a token little munificent gesture from the powers that be.