Anxious People

 Dear Barry,

  I'm sure you've heard of him but in case you haven't just wanted to let you know about one of my favorite new authors: Fredrik Backman. He's probably best known for A Man called Ove, but he's had several other great ones. In the week since the family has been gone to the States and abandoned me to my books, I've managed to read 7 books, sleep probably twice the number of hours and explore more of our region than I had previously been able. But I'd take illiteracy, sleep deprivation and the inexorable weight gain and have them by my side any day. Have I told you that I currently weigh the most I have since I played football in high school? That's right nearly 185lbs. I think, to make myself feel better, I will start measuring my weight in kilograms. That should take the edge off. I knew the metric system was useful! Plus it feels far more macho to bare zero degrees(c) than 32 degrees(f). Not to mention how much further I can run in kilometers!

I digress. But actually that's kind of how Backman writes. Only far more eloquently and more composed. But he comes off as if the whole story he's telling is literally just one long stream of thought. Occasionally he'll go on tangents and then, with a zap, remember what he was supposed to be talking about and circle back. And he does it in a way that, unlike John Irving, doesn't take one hundred pages of backstory. All in all I really like him and encourage you to read his stuff.

His new story, Anxious People, is another good one. I'm not here to give you a book report, but did want to quote you something from the book: 

"The problem is that everything is relative, happiness is based on expectations, and we have the internet now. A whole world constantly asking us: 'But is your life as perfect as this? Well? How about now? Is it as perfect as this? If it isn't, change it!' The truth of course is that if people really were as happy as they look on the Internet, they wouldn't spend so much damn time on the Internet, because no one who's having a really good day spends half of it taking pictures of themselves. Anyone can nurture a myth about their life if they have enough manure, so if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, that's probably because it's full of shit."

Sorry I know that's a long quote and that you'll probably read the book yourself but I just love it. So much about social media is harmful to us(mental health, ergonomics, visual strain etc), but we view it as our salvation. Or at least too many people do. I say it's better to put down the phone, close the laptop and get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Or minimally read a damn book. Or, if you have some adorable children nearby, snuggle the heck out of them. I know I would.

Until next time,

Danny

PS- here are some pics from my last two running outings this week: Koningsberg and the Feldenpfad. Very different locales but both beautiful. Looking forward you getting over here so we can explore more together!