1. The universal phenomenon of men interrupting women.

From the comments:

“. . . I got into a taxi the other night with my husband. I knew the directions and address better than him, so I gave the taxi driver the instructions. He did not reply to me, but then said, “should I take the tunnel or the bridge, sir?” I was shocked. He would only speak to my husband. When I complained later to my husband, he said he was an older guy from a traditional culture, that that was what he believed. My husband–whom I consider to be enlightened and egalitarian– did not notice the slight until I pointed it out. That one word “sir” rendered me and my words invisible and “put me in my place.” In the middle of “cosmopolitan” Manhattan. It made me think society is becoming more–not less–patriarchal. . .”

2. Just 5% of Americans account for 50% of all U.S. medical spending.

3. Why I’m giving my children their inheritance now.

“They are pretty levelheaded young people.”

That’s an understatement as attested to by this:

“They have each parked the money in low-cost, diversified index funds.”

And this:

“You are giving us part of our inheritance now. Time value of money, and all that. Cool. Your grandson thanks you for helping to pay his college tuition.”

4. Canada to teach computer coding starting in kindergarten. Not from The Onion. What’s next, resume writing in first grade, internships in second?

5. Alison, the most important question of our time?

Strong closing:

“The Hive is there in solidarity.”

6. If not, this may be, “Is $9,000 too much for a gravel bike?“

Our neighborhood’s electronic bulletin board regularly reminds me that living in the country is different:

Case in point.

“My daughter just lost a baby pig. He’s mostly black, with a pink circle…or maybe diamond, on his nose. We’re between 36th and 46th on Libby Road. He ran through the woods, northbound, but no telling how far he would run. He’s just 7 weeks old, so he’s very afraid (has had nearly no contact with people) and has no survival skills at all. Please let me know if you’ve seen him and we’ll come right out. It would be great if he was cornered.”

A reply:

“Found one little piggy? Don’t think it was going to the market or eating roast beef.”

[From the archives. Four years later, one high school graduating class, I think it stands up pretty well.]

Like it’s an amazing accomplishment that means something significant. Note to the graduates. We expected you to successfully finish all twelve grades.

For shit’s sake, my cycling training is suffering and I missed a triathlon in Portland last weekend because of the first of an endless number of graduation-related events that dot the Byrnes family social calendar.

We’re long overdue on updating our traditions. Forty-fifty years ago a high school diploma was meaningful. High school graduates could get manufacturing jobs and support families. Now, a high school diploma is simply a ticket to continue around the game board of life. That’s all. It’s not an amazing accomplishment. And to the well intentioned people congratulating me in church on Sunday, not necessary. I didn’t sit in boring class after boring class or complete any homework. I did inquire about school at dinner (to no avail) and I did drive the forgotten violin to school a few times, but that’s hardly grounds for congratulations.

Here’s what graduating from high school means, plain and simple. Instead of having most decisions made for you, you get to make more of them yourself. Enlist in the military or enroll in a vocational program, a community college, or a four year college or university. In a few more years, if you apply yourself in one or more of those settings, you will have sufficient knowledge and skills to begin making a positive difference in people’s lives and get paid a living wage. And you’ll be economically independent.

And then we’ll party hearty.

1. A preschool in a retirement home. What’s not to like?

2. How much foreign language is being taught in U.S. schools? Data is sparse, but approximately, 1 in 5 students is studying a foreign language, 46% Spanish, 21% French.

3. Rush to college might be a mistake.

“Perhaps the most profound finding to emerge from the survey is that going to college to find yourself has become a luxury many Americans can no longer afford. Instead, those who expressed the least regret were best able to align their education with a career.”

4. 20 most popular running routes in America. Come on America, nuthin’ but shorties. I have run four and walked one. One of the four was where I first started running in my late 20’s. Can you guess? What about best running routes? I nominate the Cowling Arboretum. So good, when you get lost in it, you don’t mind, you just Forest Gump it until eventually returning to civilization.

5. Do you know what the next big thing is? I will end up bloody, but I am in.

6. There’s now a little more gender equity at the Summer Olympics. About time.

7. Woman goes viral for helping blind Cubs fan catch a cab.

8. RichieZ and I are seeking a third in an effort to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Previous experience cleaning glass required. Send resume.

1. Increasing Salaries So Teachers Don’t Have to Become Principals.

“The effect that a classroom teacher has on a student is second only to a parent,” Campbell says. “And as an administrator, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to have that same effect and that’s kind of heartbreaking.”

2. Belated Memorial Day read. From Hawk to a Dove.

After Vietnam, I am unrecognizable from the clean-cut boy the cops always let go before I left. There are the first attacks of malaria my first month home. There’s the pistol stuck to the side of my neck outside a bar one night, and me yelling, “Shoot, motherfucker!”

And:

I’ve felt torn for years about serving in an unpopular war, which the soldiers were blamed for losing. That has shifted into a sense of purpose. There is room for elder warriors like me. We still have a duty, one that goes beyond country. We have a duty to reveal the truth about war, to help younger veterans returning home, and to do what we can to bring about peace.

3. Surabhi Mundada’s Passion for Science.

“It was the most rewarding when I would hear one of the judges say something like, ‘Oh, this could help my husband,’” says Mundada. “Realizing the actual positive impacts that science can have is really incredible.”

4. Speaking of passion. Sex frequency calculator.

Couldn’t be more proud of this girlie for persevering and finishing so strong. The world will be a better place because of her love of children, her mad photography skills, her laughter, and her kind and beautiful spirit.

Thanks to the Village for contributing to J’s success—Grandma Byrnes, the Fredsons, LByrnes, K and B Johnson, and the Carl, among others.

Northfield, I will miss you.