21 Comments
Sep 30, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

This was so lovely. I especially appreciated the part about how we can't "homework" our way out of most social issues and how be informed is a start but should never be the end of action in the community. As always thank you for sharing this with us Isaac

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Sep 30, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

So much great stuff in here--thank you and Alexander for the resources to support anti-hate groups--but my favorite lines is "People love a go-go boy."

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Oct 4, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

This piece is such a great read and makes me miss walking around New York. I think it's time for a follow-up stage event or podcast where we can all listen to you and your walking partners in conversation.

What I've been thinking about since I read this a couple of days ago is the editor's note [Editor's Note: I did a little research and discovered that the chimes of St. Malachy's used to play "There's No Business Like Show Business."]. "There's No Business" was one of my grandmother's favorite songs, and she had several different recordings.

One of my favorite NY visits was staying with a friend (who also had a side gig for William F. Buckley, crewing for him on his sailboat) in the East Village during the 1996 blizzard. We both loved walking in the city, and I remember talking for hours about seasonal soundtracks. As you know, San Francisco is, for the most part, one season - and I am envious of places with seasons. I can't remember now what we thought was the best walking in a blizzard or post-blizzard song, though thinking about it now, I think "New York City" by They Might Be Giants would be pretty great - "You said, 'It's snowing / It's snowing / God, I hate this weather!' / Now I walk through blizzards just to get us back together"

Anyway, the seasonal soundtrack game was trying to find a song with multiple covers and then picking the best version for each season, where you could close your eyes and listen to all four in a row and feel the seasons changing. This brings me back to "There's No Business" - I wish my grandmother were here to weigh in, but I'm going with:

Winter: Susannah McCorkle

Quiet, dark - certain parts can bring tears for no reason.

Spring: Mary Hopkin

Light, fun

Summer: The Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes

Kitschy, playful

Fall (the best season): Harry Connick, Jr.

Melancholy, contemplative

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2outF3ulJVLxfXlfy3Q4Ti?si=6f619b54f7534181

I don't want to know what the secret is but I like knowing it's out there.

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Oct 2, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

great letter! loved learning more about hell’s kitchen and one’s experience of it.

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Oct 1, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

That ending wiped me out! Lovely piece, thank you.

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Sep 30, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

You mean, you’re just going to leave us hanging at the end? I mean, of course you can, but after all that good stuff you just stopped! 🤣🤣

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Sep 30, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

Thank you for this; it was so far outside of my current world that I just loved being immersed in a new one about NYC. Back in 1967, my husband and I drove in from the west coast in an MG roadster, didn't know where to stay or even park safely. A wonderful Jewish parking lot owner took us under his wing, secured our car and invited us to his home for dinner and a swim at Coney Island. Wonderful people left a great impression of friendly NY neighborhoods.

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Sep 30, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

damn damn damn this was good

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Sep 30, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald

This was lovely. Also, shout out to Dustin for the most romantic gesture I have ever read in NYC with his roses 🌹 Chee is a gift to our writing community and you highlighted it so incredibly well in this newsletter. So many gems. Grateful to have read it today 🌻

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deletedOct 2, 2021Liked by Isaac Fitzgerald
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