Levi Stahl

I started a newsletter, friends. this-not-that.ghost.io

Airport bars, foreign cities, lonely hotel rooms: the sour reek of temptation. —James Wood, “Under the Influence,” The New Yorker

The Walking Dead (1936).

Good morning, friends!

I feel bad for Rays fans. I remember this feeling from 2004, watching an extremely good team just run into a buzzsaw. It sucks.

While the offense has scored 10 runs, the Brewers pitchers have faced one batter over the minimum through 7.

“‘Make some noise’ is nonspecific,” said Stacey. “It could just be a sob.”

(I imagine it might be a little like what it feels like to be hunted. I don’t know if they are the greatest team I’ve seen in my 36 years here, but they are the most complete team.)

wow

Found my Brewers bucket hat that I got as a giveaway in 1999 for the last year of County Stadium. (I think the last time I wore a bucket hat was . . . at County Stadium in 1999.)

Cringe is just anxiety telling youre scared of being judged by your peers. Don’t listen to it

A new issue of my newsletter will mail tomorrow, on an October theme. This month’s recommendations are all short—if you’ve got an idle hour stirring a cauldron ahead of you this month, you can enjoy all three. There’s a 2-minute horror film, a Robert Aickman short story, and a song you -all- know.

Good morning, friends!

Saul Bass opening titles for Cowboy (1958)

An Aickman story is a dream you never wake up from. —Victoria Nelson, introduction to the Robert Aickman collection Compulsory Games

Rochester’s friend Rob: Tell me, Rochester, why is Mr. Benny so, shall we say, frugal? Rochester: Oh, we SHALL, we SHALL!

“My Funny Valentine,” Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, 1937.

The visibility had become less than was entirely convenient. —Robert Aickman, “The Inner Room”

Twenty-five percent is a very high rate! I’m a huge proponent of sending cards—thank you, sympathy, congratulations, etc. They really do matter to the recipients. But they’re not intended to generate a response. They’re complete in themselves. To think otherwise is to miss the point.

That’s a big “except,” bro.

What on earth was Brady Williams thinking with that send of Hicks in the 6th? The play was right in front of him, and it was obvious that any kind of throw was going to get Hicks.

Good morning, friends!

always nice to see jojo

it is happening again

Way back in 2012, when a reporter asked a then-underaged Bryce Harper about potential alcoholic clubhouse celebrations, Harper shot back, “That’s a clown question, bro.” I think about that answer all the time. So many questions lately to which it’s the most appropriate answer.

I think it’s possible that we could impose modest wealth taxes to fund socially valuable government work without harming productive economic activity.

Vasily Grossman, Stalingrad.

Good morning, friends!

Umpire Dan Bellino turning to stare at the ball as it hit the foul line had real Tim Robinson vibes.

Love me the Contreras boys.