Lisa Birnbach and Casey Schwartz
The writer Casey Schwartz is my guest this week with an examination of her addiction to Adderall, and most of all her addiction to being able to concentrate and focus. Her book is called Attention, A Love Story, and she covers a range of subjects including our diminishing attention spans, the many distractions we have, drugs as her generation’s answer to everything, and #MeToo.
I cannot even guess how many times I’ve had the discussion. You know the one I mean: have you gotten the vaccine, how are you going to get the vaccine, which website have you gone onto to get your vaccine, which one are you getting, they say you feel sick after your second shot, do your underlying conditions help push you up the list, etc.
It is the 2021 version of what’s wryly called “the organ concert” – in which people of a certain age rely on reporting on their various aches and conditions to make for a riveting conversation.
I don’t even know what to say, other than…. I’m a follower? We’ve been praying for an effective preventative to the deadly Coronavirus for a year, and the fact that we have one (or three) already is remarkable. I participate in these talks even sometimes without noticing. In our defense it’s this very thing that – when everyone has been inoculated – will help us to return to normal, whatever that will mean by the end of the year.
I fully intend to wear masks outside, and inside at stores, doctors’ offices, museums, and I imagine the theater when it comes back. Just thinking of the theater gets me excited.
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Here are my five things that made my life better this week:
1. Airgami masks. In the world of mask couture, I have discovered the Airgami, which is engineered to be airtight. I love the way it fits. Your breathing feels more natural, and somehow the ear loops feel better as well. It doesn’t fog my glasses! I’m impressed with this mask. I can wear earrings with it! It was designed by a very clever friend of mine, while living in China. The Airgami has won awards. You should try it. https://www.airgami.life/
2. Spelling Bee twitter. For all of you who are similarly involved or obsessed with the word game Spelling Bee (part of the New York Times’ growing game group), I have found a large group of like-minded and often frustrated players. Now that we are not condemned to following a crazed president and his lemming-like cultists, we can exchange thoughts about words, spelling, and very unpolitical thoughts here. (It’s why Twitter is so much better since the banishment.)
3. Personalized stationery. You all know that I’m a letter writer. But I just ordered the most wonderful writing paper and cards from Terrapin Stationers. In the olden days a lot of people crossed out their names on their cards as a way to show intimacy – “you don’t need to see my full name; we are close friends”. I never did that because why slash the beautiful engraving that was the point of the papers? Anyway, I love having a box full of stationery. I imagine writing on all of it and using it up one day. https://www.terrapinstationers.com/
4 Parting my hair wherever I feel like it. I hear that only young women get to part their hair in the center, and boomers have been pushed to a side part. Says who? And why? I switch mine up all the time. I might not wear elephant bells again or short shorts in the city, but damn it, I will part my hair wherever I like.
5. Merrick Garland. I hope he will be our next Attorney General. We really haven’t had a proper attorney general since Loretta Lynch. Mr. Garland, our Supreme Court Justice manque, lost the right to serve on the highest court because of Mitch McConnell’s bully blocking. We will be fortunate to have him running the Department of Justice.
CASEY SCHWARTZ’S 5 (6) THINGS
1 TACOS
2. Watching my one year old take his first steps
3, My weighted blanket
4. Prospect Park (the only place I ever go)
5. My husband's ability to make me laugh no matter what. 6. Bonus: Heidi Cruz's leaked text chain.
MORE ABOUT CASEY SCHWARTZ
By Casey Schwartz
Published by Pantheon Books
Twitter: @CaseySchwartz
Instagram: @caseyschwartzy
Facebook: @casey.schwartz161
Website: www.CaseySchwartz.com
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC. My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.The Field in NYC.