TWO ON ONE

For many years when I played basketball against the kids, it was two on one - the two of them vs. me. However, in the past few years, their skills have soared while I have gotten... older. 

That change was on full display today when we went to the park to play basketball. It was still two on one, but this time it was Nicholas and me vs. Cate, who is a starter on her eighth grade basketball team at Greenhills. 

We did our best to contain her, and we may have even scored more points. However, Cate clearly held her own and had some amazing drives and shots. Afterwards, the kids took turns with half court shots. They made a couple, but here is a video of a near miss by each of them! Life comes at you fast, and Cate comes at you even faster!

WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE LAND

I had the good fortune to catch up with one of my mentors from residency at UT-Southwestern, Dr. David Hillis, today during our visit to see my sister in San Antonio. Dr. Hillis literally changed the trajectory of my life, and so it was nice to see him again.

Dr. Hillis was the residency program director at UT-Southwestern when I interviewed there, and fortunately he selected me for the program there, my first choice. I was influenced not only by Dr. Hillis but by so many other faculty and colleagues who inspired me to become a physician-scientist. I met Kathleen there, who gave me our two amazing kids. If Dr. Hillis and the other members of the inner sanctum in the Department of Internal Medicine had not chosen me for Chief Resident, I am not sure I would have matched at Hopkins for fellowship or learned the invaluable leadership skills that came with that job and the extra year at UT-Southwestern.

Looking back at my time in Dallas from 1998-2002, I would still call it the best four years of my professional life, even though it was among the most arduous. It was the best four years because of the people and the culture in which I was exposed to art of the practice of medicine. I would not trade that experience for anything!

To Dr. Hillis and all the other giants of academic medicine who once walked the land, I have two simple words that do not do justice to their example or their influence on me. Thank you!

REST IN PEACE, PELE

Pele, the soccer superstar, died yesterday. In many ways, the timing was fitting since the World Cup just concluded, and Pele is rightly considered the greatest player of the World Cup, having won the tournament twice! 

Pundits and fans have long disputed whether Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, or Pele is the greatest of all time. It is hard for me to say for certain since I never saw Pele or Maradona play week in and week out. I can say that watching Messi with that frequency makes me believe that there could not possibly be anyone who could equal what he has done for the past decade.

That said, Pele inspired both Messi and Maradona to achieve their best and to leave South America to pursue their dreams - a path that was not open to Pele due to restrictions on the movement of soccer players to Europe during his playing days. In many ways, Pele made possible the careers that Messi and Maradona had because European clubs knew just how much untapped talent lay in South America after witnessing Brazil's and Pele's jogo bonito, or beautiful game.

Though Brazil, for whom Pele played, is the arch rival of the 2022 World Cup winners, Argentina, I like to think this past World Cup belongs to all of South America - especially since that continent has not crowed a champion in 20 years. This one's for you, too, Pele! Thanks for being you!

SAME, SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

Earlier this week, we travelled to the Dallas metroplex to visit Kathleen's aunt and uncle and to catch up with old friends from Baltimore, who now live in Dallas.

In many ways, Dallas still felt like "Glitter City" - my nickname for the place. Only now, there are more tall buildings, upscale apartments, and attractive young people mingling about. 

Kathleen and I went for a walk on the Katy Trail - an urban biking/running trail that was just built as I was leaving Dallas. We saw the old tennis courts where we used to play when we first started dating and reminisced about the old days.

It is hard to believe the trail is now 25 years old! Apartment buildings line the trail, and many of them have the name, "----- on the Katy Trail," evidence for the importance of the trail to prospective tenants and the community. In typical Dallas fashion, there is even a bar on the trail that has its own Shinola clock!

During our visit, we also caught up with two of my best friends from Hopkins, who are on faculty at Southwestern. Both of them are doing well, and we had a chance to spend time with them and their families. 

While our friendships have not changed, their lives have in so many ways. Despite it all, they have found a way to keep going despite pain, loss, and disruption. I was inspired by their ability to stay true to themselves despite all this turmoil. 

As I communed with these friends, I was struck by a simple question. Why exactly do we seek out old friends and re-connect? On some level, I think it is too reminisce about the past and our memories together. I believe it is also to understand ourselves better and who we were back then vs. who we are now. Most importantly though, it is too show that we still care about each other and want each other to remain a part of our lives, even if we are separated by distance and other obstacles. We want to remind each other that friendship is for life. I know I speak for us all when I say that we are lucky to have each other in our lives!

FEELING MOODY

Tonight we attended the UT vs. Texas A&M-Commerce basketball game thanks to our friends Kate and Jason who shared their UT basketball season tickets. It was the first time we had attended an event at the Moody Center, UT's new basketball arena, and we had a blast!

Despite the fact that the students were all on holiday break, the atmosphere was great! Save for the man three rows ahead of us who periodically stood up for minutes at a time and obstructed our views, it was a great night. I asked the woman and her husband sitting in front of us if that guy always stood during the game. She said that he did not usually sit right in front of them. Then, she proceeded to ask him politely to sit down. Despite the fact that he had at least two beers on board at that point, he obliged! We enjoyed the remainder of the game with unobstructed views!

It has been strange being back in Texas and seeing all the changes to the city and the university. UT now has a medical school and a cancer center - neither of which existed 10 years ago. The population has exploded, and there are headquarters or outposts for every tech company imaginable, including Apple, Facebook, Google, Tesla, and Samsung. One can now get any type of food under the sun in Austin, and the city is now connected to a variety of global destinations due to the massive economic and population growth. 

All of this has me feeling bittersweet because Austin is clearly not the same place I grew up in. That said, moving back here never seemed likely before because of the lack of professional opportunities in academic medicine and because the place felt too provincial. All of that has changed, so I'll keep an open mind. Maybe one can go home again?

ATX

Though Austin has changed in so many ways, it always feels good to come back to the place I call home.

There has been a massive amount of new construction and growth in Austin since I left in 1994. However, there are many old haunts and some newish ones that remain. 

One of my favorite restaurants, Threadgill's - an Austin institution - closed in 2020. That had been our go-to place for chicken fried steak. Indeed, we scarcely made a trip back to Austin without visiting and partaking in the bottomless sides and bread, including their incredible dinner rolls. 

Undaunted, we decided to try a new restaurant this year for chicken fried steak. As you can tell from the picture below, the Hyde Park Bar & Grill did not disappoint, and their buttermilk fries were also a hit!

We also hit up the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the Austin Nature Center. The latter is always on our list of spots to hit up in Austin, and we almost decided to skip it this year for some reason! That would have been a mistake!

Finally, no trip home would be complete without stopping by Amy's - especially my favorite location at the Arboretum! Belgian chocolate + sweat cream this time. Yum! Afterwards, we had to see the cow sculptures, and a few of us were even brave enough to mount one! Love you, Austin!

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS (TO EAT)

The normal holiday dinner fare is turkey or ham. This year, my mom asked us what we preferred to eat during our visit to Austin. We did not hesitate and decided on something less traditional. 

Growing up, some of my favorite dishes were an Indian recipe of duck or Chinese spareribs. Luckily, we got both this Christmas! Cate, in particular, loves "Grandma's ribs," and she definitely had her fill!

I'll have to get these recipes, or we'll just have to have grandma visit more!

FLEISHMAN, PART II

After finishing the book, "Fleishman is in Trouble," I started to watch the limited edition series on FX. The series is every bit as compelling as the book, probably because the screenwriter is the book's author, Taffy Brodesser-Akner.

Like the book, the series takes on the same complicated characters navigating parenthood, marriage, work, and life on the upper east side of New York in our modern times. While there are many aspects of the book I cannot identify with - namely the ultra-rich and vacuous circle of the main characters' friends - I could identify with the challenges the main characters face. I

t is hard being a parent and even harder being two working parents, but the vast majority of my friends are in this boat, just like us. It is hard not to let slights build up, and it is hard to not assume the worst about one's partner and to avoid catastrophizing things.

I have not finished the series yet, but this book and series are a reminder that we are more than characters and that we have the capacity to learn from the lives of others, even if those lives are fictitious. I'll try to remember those lessons today and moving forward

CHINESE RUMMY

We spent yesterday hanging out at mom's place during holiday break. For some reason, card games are one of our favorite pastimes during these breaks, and yesterday was no exception. 

My brother brought over a few decks of cards, and we decided to play Chinese rummy, one of our favorite family games when I was growing up. There are 11 rounds with different combinations of hands that one has to make over the course of the game. Though I had not played in over 20 years, it was like riding a bike. I won six hands in a row!

Though my kids blamed my card counting, I like to think that the familiarity of the game - even though it had been so long since I played - also played a big part. 

I suppose I should bask in my glory because they, too, may become familiar sometime soon!

GLASS ONION

Last night, we watched the new "Knives Out" film, "The Glass Onion." The film featured an all-star cast of actors in the second installment of this mystery movie franchise. 

I won't spoil the plot or ending, but the film is an indictment of the wealthy and powerful. In fact, it is hard to imagine that the main character is not modeled after Elon Musk, the aristocrat in chief.

In the end, the murder is solved, and an important lesson is revealed. If only we could learn these lessons in real life!

A MAN FOR THIS SEASON

During my lifetime, I have had 10 presidents, but Joe Biden has been the best of the bunch.

 

Biden came into office after the U.S's first authoritarian, openly racist president. That man presided over a shambolic pandemic response as thousands of Americans died for no reason, left an economy in tatters, and almost brought democracy to extinction.

In the past two years, he has righted the ship. COVID is now a manageable, endemic illness. The economy is starting to recover, and unemployment remains at an all time low. In the 2022 midterms, the Democrats bucked historical trends and gained a Senate seat and only have a five seat deficit in the House. The House, in particular, seems like a chamber we might be able to flip back in 2024. Fear of democracy's end at the hands of the Trumpists apparently was more alarming to the average voter - and certainly to independents - than rising inflation!

We will see if Joe decides to run again, but in so many ways he has been a man for this season with America at a crossroads about who it wants to be and where it is going. Steady, in this case, has won the race so far!

BEST OF

I am a big fan of end of year best of lists, but this podcast did a thoughtful take on these lists, in general, with Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer of my favorite band, Wilco.

When the host told him that one of his songs made it to the NYT's best songs of the year list, his response has funny. He retorted, "What's wrong with all the other ones on our album?"

I guess Mr. Tweedy, and I will agree to disagree. Here are picks from one of my favorite annual best lists - from President Obama. Enjoy!

THE LIVES THEY LIVED

The New York Times Daily is my favorite podcast. This week, they featured an episode based on a recent Sunday Times Magazine story about children who were killed by gun violence. 

It was a powerful episode that reminds us how devastating the gun epidemic has been in our country. We are well beyond the time for thoughts and prayers. It is time for action! Here are ways to get involved: Brady United and Everytown.

FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE

This week, I finished the novel, "Fleishman is in Trouble" by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. The book came out in 2019, but somehow I missed it.

The book centers on the unraveling marriage of the main character, Toby, who is a hepatologist in New York City, and his wife Rachel, who is a public relations specialist. They have two children who are also going through their own struggles in their lives, and the book takes place over a summer period after the parents separate.

The book reminded me just how hard marriage is and how relationships fall apart. We forget what brought us together in the first place and become less forgiving or understanding as time goes by. The narrator of the book, Libby, who is presumably modeled after the author based on her biography, also discusses the struggles in her marriage and suburban New Jersey existence. Interestingly, it is the engagement of one of Toby's and Libby's best friends that helps reawaken their understanding of the joys and merits of marriage.

I won't spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that it was not disappointing. Now on to the Hulu mini-series based on the book!

FOSTER

I read Claire Keegan's novel "Foster" in one sitting last night. It was a matchbox of a book - only 90 pages - but it was a sweet, beautiful story. If you're looking for a quick read and a little bit of a mystery, this is the book for you.

THE WAIT IS OVER FOR THE G.O.A.T.

Today, Lionel Messi finally got the goat off his back and simultaneously became the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) by winning the FIFA World Cup! It was a tremendous match, a back and forth slugfest with the Argentinians triumphing in penalties.

This was Messi's fifth World Cup and what many people - Messi, included - believed would be his last Cup, no matter what. The tournament started off brightly with Argentina going up 1-0 after a Messi penalty in the first match against Saudi Arabia. However, the lead would be short-lived as Saudi Arabia came back to score two goals in the second half and shock the Albiceleste. Many called it the greatest upset in the history of the tournament, and one would be hard-pressed to find a similar debacle.

From there, every game turned into a final, or must-win game, for Argentina, and they seemed up for the challenge. In the second match, Argentina dispatched Mexico 2-0 with Messi scoring another goal. In the final group stage match, Argentina dispatched Poland 2-0 to top the group.

From there, Argentina beat Australia in the round of 16 with another goal from Messi. The quarterfinal was a tight affair against the Dutch that proved to be much more dramatic than any Argentina fan would have hoped for. After going up 2-0, Argentina conceded two goals late, which forced the game to penalties. Fortunately, Argentina converted all of theirs, eliminating the Dutch.

In the semifinal, Argentina cruised to victory against a depleted Croatia to set up the game of the tournament - Argentina vs. France, the team of Messi's teammate at Paris Saint Germain. In the early minutes, Argentina dominated the game and took a 2-0 lead into half after a Messi penalty and a gorgeous five-pass attack that Messi started from midfield. Late in regular time, Argentina seemed to collapse, surrendering two goals, including a penalty, and the game was on to extra time. 

Messi appeared to seal the game in the second period of extra time after putting in a rebound from the keeper with his weaker right foot. However, Argentina again committed a foul in the box, handing Mbappe a chance to level things. Mbappe took his penalty with aplomb, sending the game into the "lottery" of a penalty shootout. I say "lottery" because, in fact, there is much more than luck at play in successful penalty shootouts. All the suffering, all the waiting, and the practice of their quarterfinal win had brought Argentina to this moment that might just be their moment.

Mbappe shot first and expertly converted his kick. Messi countered and dispatched his kick. Honors even. The next two French takers missed theirs, while Argentina executed theirs for a 3-1 score. The French made their next shot, meaning that the next shot by Argentina could end it. 

Up stepped Gonzalo Montiel, the defender who had committed a handball offense at the end of the second period that had given France a lifeline. Thoughts of that error and the many agonies of Argentinian soccer over the past 36 years since their last World Cup could have been foremost in his mind. However, on this day, Montiel cooly stepped up and slotted his penalty home. The team rushed the field. I began to weep. 

This moment felt like such a tremendous relief - like watching one of my kids achieve their dream. It has been 12 years since I started following the jaw-dropping exploits of Messi - the length of a childhood - so it was very fitting that this moment equalled the joys of seeing a child succeed.

We do not know when Messi will move on from the game. However, what seems very clear is that today the world came to see on the biggest and most defining stage of them all what many of us have known for so long. Lionel Messi is simply the greatest who ever played this game, and we have been so fortunate to witness him. Congrats Leo! With love, all of us.

THE TRAILBLAZER

For nearly 25 years, Grant Wahl has been the leading voice of soccer journalism in America. Sadly, he died yesterday at the age of 48 in Qatar in the press box near the conclusion of the Argentina-Netherlands match. Perhaps, it was fitting that Grant died in that place, where he has served as the conscience of the sport. reminding the world of how unfit the Qataris are to host this cup because of their medieval view of sexuality and treatment of workers, who are more like slaves. That his adopted second team, Argentina, provided a dramatic extra time match was also fitting.

Grant went everywhere when it came to covering soccer for the American audience. I remember reading his writing in Sports Illustrated in the early 2000s. He was also a fixture on Fox Sports during their coverage of the game. 

Several years ago, he left Sports Illustrated after a dispute over salary cuts the magazine was attempting to impose on its staff during the COVID pandemic. Subsequently, I followed his writing on his Substack newsletter and eagerly awaited his twice weekly podcast, "Futbol with Grant Wahl." Each time I read or listened to his work, I learned something new about soccer and its place in our world. 

He was a powerful voice in a world that often ignored the stories of his subjects - female players or American players who left home to pursue their dreams and achieve their potential in European soccer.

Grant was much more than a journalist though. Grant was an advocate for justice, human rights, and fair play. He spoke out against discrimination, mistreatment of workers, and marginalization. The writer Franklin Foer wrote this remembrance of him, describing his kindness and inclusiveness. I saw those attributes on display firsthand when Nicholas left a comment on Grant's Substack newsletter. Grant personally and thoughtfully responded. It is no wonder that Nicholas considers Grant to be his hero and role model, even though he never met him.

In his book, "The Road to Character," the writer David Brooks writes about two kinds of virtues. There are resume virtues - one's accomplishments - vs. eulogy virtues - the things that get mentioned at your funeral and describe who a person really is. On his final day, very few tweets mentioned one of Grant's scoops or cover stories. Rather, nearly all of them mentioned how kind, generous, and committed to justice Grant was. A fitting remembrance for a great, great man. Grant will be missed, but I know that Nicholas and many other journalists will attempt to follow in his footsteps and travel the trail he blazed with such humility and passion. Rest in peace, Grant!

SOMETIMES, WICHAS COME TRUE

Last Friday, we came together to celebrate the installation of the Wicha Family Professorship in Oncology, and I was honored to be named the inaugural holder of this Chair. It was a beautiful night - one of the best of my life. I am so glad I was able to share it with so many friends and family in person and online, including dear friends from medical school and residency who flew in for the ceremony.  

You can watch the recording here.

Foundational to this award was all the ways my families - from birth, to marriage, to medical training, and my faculty career - have helped to shape the story of my life thus far. I will not recapitulate my full remarks here, but suffice it to say that I came away from that evening even more grateful and humble.

I was reminded that night that I have lived a full and happy life because of so many people who cared for me, inspired me, and believed in me. We are all a product of our environments, and mine have been transformational.

So any men and women - including Dr. Grover Bagby at OHSU and Dr. Max Wicha here at U-M (pictured below) - have taken me under their wings and made me who I am. What could I have possibly done to deserve such amazing mentors?

As I move forward and begin my term as the Wicha Family Professor of Oncology, I will not lose sight of what it took to make it to this honor and all the many people who made my story possible. Sometimes in life, wishes come true, but sometimes Wichas come true, too!