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!