CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

This week, we are in Kansas City for the Midwest Regional Championship. Cate's team, Michigan Tigers, won the first game, drew the second, and won the third, sending us to the semi-finals.

Cate has played exceptionally well in all three games, scoring a goal in the second game that gave us the draw. In the third game, she unleashed a vicious free kick that missed by mere millimeters. Enjoy!

A MASTERSTROKE IN MILAN

Like life, soccer is full of ups and downs. Last night, the Greenhills Gryphons evinced that saying on their way to the 2025 District Championship!

The Gryphons started off strong with a goal within the first five minutes. Soon thereafter, their opponent, Milan High School, countered with a goal of their own after the Gryphons' goalie bobbled a weak shot on target. From there, the game became a tight affair with few scoring opportunities. Despite the lack of additional goals, there was still plenty of excitement - mainly due to hard fouls committed by the Milan players, most of which went unpunished without yellow cards.

Time and again their players came in hard on our players, often knocking them to the ground after clattering into them. The referee had completely lost control and seemed quite unfazed by the violent level of play on the pitch. Similarly, the Milan parents were unbothered by their team's tactics. On spectator, presumably a father of a Milan player, echoed the same refrain every time one of their players victimized our girls, saying, "It's called soccer!" Needless to say, I was infuriated by that attitude and phrase.

The game went to extra time. Immediately after the kickoff, a Milan player rammed into Cate, who was defenseless and without the ball, sending her to the ground. There she lay for several minutes, though it  seemed like an eternity. I was so worried that it might be a ligament or a joint injury. Fortunately, Cate was able to walk off on her own power after sustaining what turned out to be a quad contusion. Within a few minutes, Cate was back on the pitch but visibly limping.

As the first period of extra time was winding down, the Gryphons won a corner. The ball was delivered expertly, and Cate rose up to meet it with her head, scoring what would turn out to be the game winner! Somehow, I had decided to film this play, and you can enjoy it for yourself below! Even more surprisingly, after the goal, I bit my tongue and did not utter the oft-repeated line, from the Milan supporters, "It's called soccer!"

Greenhills were able to run out the clock in the second period of extra time and seal the victory. Afterwards, we all basked in the golden hour of pre-dusk, late Spring, soaking up the win!

I could not be more proud of these young ladies, especially our Cate. She was a fearless leader all game long. I cannot wait to see what this team does in Regionals next week!

A MEMORABLE MEMORIAL DAY

It has been slow-going the last few years making friends outside work and finding a community here in Ann Arbor. In part, this is explained by the pandemic, but it is also a function of many people having existing, established friend groups at this stage of life. Undaunted, we have spent a lot of quality time together as a family, but sharing experiences with other people often makes things more memorable. That is why we were so happy to spend Memorial Day Sunday with the family of one of Cate's closest friends from school, whose older brother is also one of Nicholas' friends from the same school, at their lake cottage nearby Ann Arbor. 

There was great food and conversation and time spent on the water. Kathleen and I kayaked. However, the kids were the true adventurers, partaking in inner tubing behind the powerboat. Somehow, they hung on for dear life for several minutes! They were even brave enough to get back on the saddle and try it again after their first time out! 

Simply put, it was a Memorial Day to remember!

COME ON YOU MIGHTY OAKS!

We have always been major supporters of the local soccer teams where we lived, especially in Portland. This weekend, we attended our first match for Ann Arbor's United Soccer League semi-pro team, Ann Arbor Football Club (FC). The team's mascot is the Mighty Oaks, and their saying or motto is "Come On You Mighty Oaks," or COYMO for short. 

It was a beautiful Memorial Day weekend night in Ann Arbor with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60s. The atmosphere was vibrant in the football stadium where Pioneer High School plays it games with adults and children in attendance.

We met up with one of Cate's friends from soccer and enjoyed the Mighty Oaks 2-1 victory, including a sensational free kick by the home team!

Nicholas is writing feature articles for the team this summer and doing player profiles, so I will look forward to learning more about the team and its exploits. Until then, COYMO!

MY WORD THAT GIRL'S A STAR

Cate has been on an absolute terror these past few weeks on the Greenhills Soccer team. In the last three games alone, she has scored seven goals, including two occasions when she was the team's only scorer. Notably, nearly all of these goals were scored from shots taken outside the box, i.e., at least 18 yards from goal. That is a remarkable achievement over such a short stretch and something that few footballers at any level can claim, even Lionel Messi! 

As the team continues their playoff run next week, I look forward to seeing the magic that Cate will weave. She is truly one in a million!

BYLINE

Making one's way in the world has always been hard for people starting out in a new career. However, these are especially challenging times. That is why we were so thrilled that Nicholas landed an internship this summer with the MLive media group and the local paper "Ann Arbor News." You can find a link to all his work for that publication here.

He started work on Monday and by the next day, he had been dispatched to nearby Ypslanti to cover a local news story about a camp for students with disabilities at a local university. In the past week, he has knocked out three more articles, ranging form an award-winning local vegan bakery, the Taste of Ann Arbor food festival, and the Peony Garden in the U-M Arboretum. 

The articles are detailed and insightful and are written with a caring voice designed to inform the readership about their community. I cannot wait to read more of his work this summer and beyond!

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WORK HARD FOR THEM!

Last year at the time time, Nicholas did not have an positive responses to his internship inquires. He was quite sad, but he quickly got over it and focused on making some money working at the Racquet Club down the road. 

He returned to campus ready to hit the ground running last fall. He was bear writer for the track and field team, then the women's basketball team. More recently, he has been assigned to the flagship team on campus, men's lacrosse while successfully competing for an assistant sports editor position. He is three for three on being named to the Dean's list, and he is beginning to cultivate relationships with professors and fellow student alike. All in all, he is thriving and making the most of what Syracuse and Newhouse have to offer.

Because of that, I was so happy for him to hear that he had been offered a paid internship at our local paper, the Ann Arbor News, a publication of the MLive media group. He will be working in news this summer. On the side, he will be helping the local soccer club, AFC Ann Arbor with public relations and game recaps and player profiles.

It is so wonderful to see this hard-working, curious driven young man hit his stride. I could not be more proud. Keep reaching for the stars, son!

A CARTOON A DAY KEEPS THE SADNESS AWAY

I have always loved comics and cartoons. For the past 25 years, I have been a Newyorker subscriber. Their cartoons are some of the best, and I know receive them in my Instagram feed.

This year, I have gotten in the habit of sharing them with friends and family - especially the lighthearted ones or those that capture the cringe-inducing things coming out of Washington. Invariably, sharing these elicits a chuckle in me and the recipients. It is one of the highlights of my day.

Enjoy this recent Easter funny!

WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING

I recently read Haruki Murakami's memoir, "What I talk about when I talk about running." It is hard to believe that I had not read this sooner since I love running and Murakami's novels including, "Norwegian Wood, " "Sputnik Sweetheart, " and "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki" among others. Perhaps you saw the movie, "Drive My Car," based on one of his short stories? That film, which was about grief, loss, and human connection - despite all types of barriers, including language - blew me away.

Similarly, "What I think about..." was a magical book. Yes, it was about Murakmai's love of running and how he took up that pastime in his early 30s, some 30 years ago. However, it is more about a way of living resolutely. It is a reminder that there is great value in putting one foot in front of the other and never giving up. That he has run at least one marathon per year for the past 30 years is a testament and that he continues to write so well are the best expression of that philosophy.

I was reminded of my own marathon experience from New York some 21 years ago. I had trained hard for that day and was attempting to use my race time to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I needed to run 3:10:59 in order to qualify. I got off to an amazing start, running the first half in 1:38. However, my quads gave out after the halfway point. For the last nine or so miles, I had to use my shins and calves to push off the ground to propel me forward. I never considered quitting and finally crossed the finish line in a time of 3:46, well off my goal. 

Afterwards, I was plagued by pain in my shins anytime I ran. I was later diagnosed with chronic compartment syndrome and underwent fasciotomies on both legs. Afterwards, I could not run without pain for over two years, which was one of the hardest times in my life. Ultimately, my legs healed, and I decided to try running again when we moved to Portland. I settled for shorter distances and incorporated cross-training. The 5K - rather than the marathon - became my go-to race. 

Eventually, I set my sites on another goal that seemed similarly aspirational to my Boston qualifying time - a sub 20 minute 5K. In 2015, some 11 years after New York, I reached that goal finishing in 19:25 - a pace of 6:17 per mile and good enough for 26th overall!

I continue to run at least 5K per day, though I am doing less races these days. My favorite route is a loop through Gallup Park at dawn each morning well before the sun comes up, and I have been running this route since the pandemic - in rain, sleet, and snow (but not ice). Sometimes Cate joins me, which makes the run even more special. My daily run is as close as I come to zen each day.

At the end of each run, I gaze up the sky and raise my outstretched arms. I am not thanking anyone, in particular. Rather, I am reveling in the fact that I am still able to do the thing I love at the age of 51 and despite a lot of miles on these tires. That is what I talk about when I talk about running!

GO 'HILLS!

We are in the midst of high school soccer season, and it has been a delight to watch Cate play again!

Unlike with her club team, Cate plays farther back as a defensive midfielder. Despite this, she is very involved with the attack and has created some wonderful scoring opportunities for her teammates. Additionally, she has gotten in on the action and scored some amazing goals that fall into the category of rockets!

Here are two recent examples from the last week. Enjoy!

THE WHITE LOTUS

Season three of "The White Lotus" concluded last week. I had greatly enjoyed the last two seasons, but this one was particularly special. As usual, there were several groups of tourists who descended on a spectacular resort destination. Like past season, lives were lost, but the real drama was in the interactions of the guests with each other and with the resort staff and other locals. If the first season was about class, the second season was about status. This most reason season was about finding some measure of peace, which is so timely given the world we find ourselves in.

"The White Lotus" is not a world I recognize, but that does not prevent the show from winning you over and creating moments of real magic. 

If you have not seen the first two seasons, I suggest starting there. I cannot wait to see where the show's creator Mike White takes us next!

ABUNDANCE

One of my favorite podcasters and writers, Ezra Klein, and another favorite writer, Derek Thompson, have teamed up to write a very timely book that offers an antidote, or at least another path forward, versus Trump's and DOGE's burn it all down. Klein offers a defense of his vision in this podcast.

Rather than austerity and destruction, they advocate for abundance and growth. It is an inspiring vision for the future, and the offer many examples of government, Democratic and Republican alike, standing in the way of the future we need and the society we all imagine. It is a lack of will, structure, and implementation that stands in our way, and these authors provide some exceptional examples of how we have cut through these obstacles to deliver game-changing results. These examples include Operation Warp Speed and the COVID vaccines, the repair to the I-95 bridge in Pennsylvania that only took 12 days, and mass production of penicillin.

I particularly enjoyed their thoughts on possible reforms to the scientific enterprise, including the grant funding process.

I am not sure anyone in this administration will pick up this book, but you should!

THE PITT

The show, "E.R." first aired when I began medical school in 1994. It has always been one of my favorite shows because it captured the excitement of working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment. It was not until I completed my residency rotation in the E.R. in Parkland that I truly appreciated how accurate the show's depiction of emergency medicine was. 

One the characters with whom I identified the most was a young, earnest medical student, John Carter, played by Noah Wylie. I cannot recall what happened to Carter when the show concluded. However, one can imagine that he might have grown up to be an E.R. attending.

The new show, "The Pitt," on Max stars Noah Wylie exactly twenty years later. Wylie is no longer Carter but rather a veteran E.R. attending named Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch. The show's 15 episodes take place over the course of a very eventful 15 hour shift. There is a memorable cast of characters, and we see many of the highs and lows of working in American medicine and living in American society today.

The episodes were released one at a time, and I could not wait to watch the next one. Last night, I watched the final episode of the first season, which was a barnburner. Simply put, "the Pitt" is the most accurate and compelling medical show I have ever seen. It can be graphic and heart-breaking but also life-affirming. Just like life.

LIKE YESTERDAY!

We recently went on spring break. We were able to kill two birds with one stone on the trip by visiting colleges Cate is interested in for soccer and seeing old friends. 

We started off on the east coast and stayed with our friends Eddie and Liz from residenct, who have been living in Philadelphia for the past decade or so. They were wonderful hosts, showing us the city and keeping us entertained. We saw some of the tourist sites like the Liberty Bell and also checked out the wonderful Barnes Foundation collection of art. The latter was one of the greatest collections of art under one roof that I have ever seen.

Cate had a nice visit to Swarthmore, which we had seen with Nicholas three years prior, and we all came away very impressed by the students and the school.

Dave Donohue was one of my best friends in medical school, and he has been back in his howetown of Wilmington for the past 20 years. He and his family kindly hosted us, and we enjoyed our time together on several runs, playing pickleball, and just catching up. 

On our way to our next stop, Pittsburgh, we stopped off in the Longwood Gardens between Wilmington and Philadelphia. The grounds and the flowers were absolutely beautiful!

In Pittsburgh, we caught up with my former mentor from fellowship, Jim Herman, while Cate had a nice visit at Carnegie-Mellon. 

That night, we headed to Cleveland, the last stop on our trip. We saw our friends from fellowship in Baltimore, Hetty and Craig and explored the city. While she was doing a soccer camp at Case Western Reserve University, Kathleen and I took in some sites in Cleveland, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

It was a fun week packed with new places but also old friends. I was reminded at each stop how fortunate I am to have made such amazing friends over the years and how medicine has taken me and my friends  all over. 

Cate has indicated an interest in biology and possibly medicine. We will see if she follows through on that. If she does, I hope she makes the same sort of connections that last a lifetime like we have. There is something so special about feeling like it was just yesterday when you saw certain people, even though it has been several years. Until next time!

UNDER SEIGE

I have been a student, trainee, or faculty member at universities for nearly thirty-five years. However, I have never seen our higher education system under greater threat or strain than the past two months. What makes this time so unsettling is that the primary adversary of universities is our own government.

We have seen cuts to or holds on federal research funding, most notably at top universities - several of which have large medical and scientific missions. My own research grants have been held up, and I am still uncertain whether and if these dollars will eventually flow to my lab.

We have seen lawfully-residing students detained as "terrorists" for merely expressing their political views that are protected under the First Amendment. 

When will this stop?

It will stop when we citizen vote out the co-conspirators of this anti-democratic, unconstitutional assault. While the universities are the first beneficiaries of these attacks, they will not be the last.

Contact your congresspeople, protest, vote! United we stand, divided we all fall!

PLAYGROUND

Every now and then, a book comes along that blows you away. Richard Power's new book, "Playground" is one of those books!

Nominally, the book is about the power and beauty of the oceans, but it is so much deeper than that. Multiple storylines intersect, and the supporting cast of characters are as complex and nuanced as you would expect from a Powers book.

I have only read one of his other books, "Bewilderment," but "Playground makes me want to read all his other books, especially the widely celebrated book, "The Overstory."

Read "Playground!" You will not regret it!

THE SUBSTANCE

Last night, we watched, "The Substance," the new Demi Moore film, for which she has been receiving critical acclaim. It is a horror film, but it also attempts to describe the pain and challenge of growing older as a woman in Hollywood, a topic Moore knows quite well.

The movie includes some science fiction aspects that are quite astonishing, but these aspects seem to be allegorical. Margaret Qualley, in a breakout performance, plays Moore's younger alter ego named Pam, and she steals the show, in my opinion.

The movie is worth watching, but I recommend having the remote handy so you can fast forward through the many gory parts. 

Let's hope we as a society become more comfortable with our aging and our mortality than these characters. I, for one, will not be ordering the Substance!

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

This weekend we saw, " A Complete Unknown," the new Bob Dylan movie that describes his early days in New York and how he became a folk superstar. Timothee Chalamet does a wonderful job starring as Dylan, even singing all the songs in the film. He is supported by an all star cast, including Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez.

Not a traditional biopic, this film is focused on a four year period of the early sixties. At that time, folk was the main protest music that young people flocked to during that turbulent time marked by the threat of nuclear war, a presidential assassination, a racial reckoning, and an impending war that would take thousands of American and Vietnamese lives. During that time, there was also a split in the musical community as the traditional folks performers sought to turn back the oncoming tide of rock and roll.

The film does not explain why Dylan chose to go electric despite being based on the book, "Dylan Goes Electric," but it is clear that his doing so was quite divisive to the musical community. At his heart, though Dylan was his own man, a true rolling stone.

I left the film with a much greater appreciation for the times in which he got his start, his life, and his music. I think you'll enjoy it, too!

SAY NOTHING

The Civil War in Ireland, known as "The Troubles," was one of the defining events in Western Europe at the end of the 20th century. While I was aware of that history on a cursory basis, I did not appreciate the full tragedy of that war or the impact it had on the people of Northern Ireland. Therefore, it was wonderful to see that Patrick Radden Keefe's book, "Say Nothing," had been adapted to a limited series for Hulu.

I had not read the book. However, after watching the series, I am very tempted to pick it up. Rather than providing a 10,000 foot view of the Troubles, the series drills down on the lives of several key participants. Two sisters are featured prominently, and it is incredible to see them literally grow up in front of our eyes as time passes and to see them take very divergent paths. I will not spoil the story, but "Say Nothing" humanizes war, terror, injustice, and desperation like few books or shows I have seen. I highly recommend it and look forward to seeing what Mr. Radden Keefe writes next!

INTERMEZZO

 

Sally Rooney has been called the first great Millennial writer. I am not sure about that claim, but I do know that I love her writing. I have read her previous books, "Conversations with Friends," "Normal People," and "Beautiful World Where are You." Recently, I also finished her newest book that was just released, "Intermezzo."

On the surface "Intermezzo" is a tale of two brothers - Ivan and Peter Koubek. However, there are several other important characters - most notably the brothers' love interests. In the book, Ivan begins a relationship with a much older Margaret while Peter is ensconced in a love triangle of sorts with his former girlfriend and soulmate, Sylvia, and a much younger woman near Ivan's age named Naomi.

The men are clearly damaged - from their upbringings, the loss of their father recently, and the harshness of life and the world. Neither knows how to navigate this complexity, and each struggles mightily to overcome his demons.

"Intermezzo" feels like the best of Rooney so far, but it is also her saddest book. However, that saddens is undergirded by a hopefulness. As the story unravels, the reader learns that one way - perhaps the only way - to survive the pain and chaos around us is simply by being with other  people and letting them into our lives fully. It is a valuable life lesson for someone so young and with so much life ahead of her to impart. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

NEGATIVE REVIEW OF SYSTEMS

Today, I had my colonoscopy. The lead up and drinking the prep fluid was as unpleasant as I remembered from my prior procedure. However, I know the importance of this test and gladly presented to the ambulatory center today after cleansing my colon.

When I was waiting to be taken back for this procedure, I was queried by several medical providers in the pre-op area nabout my medical history. In response to question after question, I answered, "no," because I do not have medical problems currently and am not taking medications currently.

My heart rate was in the 40s, which would normally cause alarm in a medical visit. My providers though inquired if I exercised vigorously. I explained that I did run every day and that my heart rate is usually in the 50s. They marked that down and moved on.

Both these experiences remind me how lucky I am to have my health and to have lived a healthy and mostly problem-free 51 years. One never knows when that might change, so I will celebrate my health today and try to remember to celebrate it each and every day!

BRRR!

This week saw sub-zero temperatures for several days that were even colder when one factors in wind chill, as evidenced by the thermometer in my car shown above.

We all hunkered down, and I even skipped my daily outdoor runs on several days due to fear of frostbite. Fortunately, temperatures climbed today into the balmy 20s. I was back out there again with multiple layers! I am not sure I can take these temperatures on annual basis for the rest of my life, but I consider myself grateful that we have been spared these temperatures the past five winters.

Needless to say, we will be going someplace warm for Spring Break this March!

ANORA

Many movies focused on sex workers are either depraved downward spirals or Hollywood feel good stories. "Anora" is neither of this, and quite possibly the best film ever to tackle this subject matter. It is the best movie from 2024 that have seen!

At its core, the movie is about the American Dream and who gets to live that dream. Unless one is born into privilege and has the backing of one's family or extended network, achieving financial security and social stability is nearly impossible. Fundamentally, I believe those were the key issues that people voted on last year and that ushered the least qualified president in human history back into office.

The title, "Anora," is the name of the main character, who prefers to go by Ani. She comes from modest means, living in Brooklyn with her sister and earning a living as a stripper. When the son of a Russian oligarch offers her a way out, she leaps at it!

I will not divulge more details. However, what follows is partly a home invasion thriller, road movie, and a love story all rolled into one. That the director, Sean Baker, is able to seamlessly cover so much ground and keep the audience riveted during the the two plus hours of the film is quite remarkable.

See "Anora" to understand the time we live in now and to understand more about yourself. There is a humanity and a universality to Anora, and I find it hard to get this movie and its namesake out of my mind.

SEIZING THE DAY

Sometimes it is difficult to appreciate how quickly one's children are growing up. This was not one of those days. 

Cate left for a soccer tournament in Arizona on Thursday with Kathleen. The Tigers played their first game yesterday. Cate scored the first goal. After the other team pulled one back, Cate converted a penalty as cool as you like to make it 2-1!

The Tigers added a third to secure a 3-1 victory.

Beyond the win, though something even more important had been taking place behind the scenes. We were aware that there would be several college coaches attending the tournament to scout players. However, unbeknownst to us, Cate had reached out to one of the coaches from a highly selective school beforehand and expressed her interest in that school and that team. As a result, the coach came to see her play. 

What happened afterwards was even more astonishing. Cate went up the coach and introduced herself and shared her interested in the school and the subjects she was passionate about. He complemented her, talked about the academic advantages of the school, and invited her for a school visit. She was so excited afterwards that she called us from the car to let us know what had happened! I was in awe!

I could not be more impressed by Cate's proactiveness and her self-advocacy. Pursuing your dreams is scary, especially when one does not have a good guide who has navigated that terrain, themselves. I know I often struggle with putting myself out there due to imposter syndrome. However, I have learned time and time again that achieving one's dreams is 90% hard work and just showing up. The other 10% is about luck, but we make our own luck! 

I am so proud of this young woman, who is growing up before our eyes. I know she has a bright future ahead of her, and I feel so lucky to be able watch her grow and take off!

THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Today is Nicholas' last day of winter break. It has been wonderful having him home these past four weeks, and we definitely fit a lot in!

We traveled to Texas, where we celebrated Christmas and New Years together. We went on many walks together. We watched a ton of movies. My favorite was "Real Pain." We listened to many podcasts - particularly those from Pop Culture Happy Hour, reviewing the movies we had just watched. We went out to to eat. Indeed, this morning we headed downtown and had a wonderful brunch at Sava's. Afterwards, we headed to Starbuck's for a drink.

These quotidian moments are what I miss the most when he is gone - that and interacting daily with a close friend who understands and accepts me.

I will miss Nicholas these next two months until his Spring break, but I know that he has an exciting semester ahead of him with amazing classes, journalism opportunities, and college life. 

Life is about letting go, but it also about holding on to the simple but beautiful experiences we are fortunate to share with our loved ones everyday. I consider myself very lucky to have had nearly 20 years with this fine young man. I hope I get at least 20 more!