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Among the best two or three places in the world, I wound up here by mistake this summer going to Lord’s Cricket Ground (took the long way), but without trunks, so I came back. It’s a pretty cold freshwater pond with trees all around it near the lookout point, and is open spring to fall. There are men’s and ladies’ ponds too, nearby. George Smiley swam laps in one with his head above water at the start of the Tinker Tailor movie; when I went other retirees were doing the same. It’s unreal to step into, much less swim in; you feel like a million bucks or pounds getting out of the water. It’s hard to believe this place exists. It looks like the nice half of that Bosch painting.
Nov 23, 2022
Related Recs
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Unlike my usual spots you are allowed to dive in, the ducks get really close to you & you don’t have to wear a hat or a tow float either
Nov 1, 2024
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the water is brown & silky and when u dive under the sunlight is golden and when u come back up a lily pad is on ur head
Mar 9, 2024
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Even if you’re not a huge fan of lap swimming, indoor pools are often really special examples of national architecture—my favorites are from the first half of the twentieth century—and it’s surprisingly interesting to observe the pool etiquette of different cultures. Italians, while somewhat impatient and in-your-face on land, are incredibly courteous and respectful of relative speed in the water; they’re gracious and accommodating if you need to pass them. In Milan I always make a point to go to Piscina Cozzi, which had a huge Maurizio Cattelan mural on the back wall featuring a tacky Ophelia in red lipstick. It was there in October of last year, but I think they’ve since taken it down, which is a shame, but apparently he swims there, too.
Jun 6, 2024
Top Recs from @sami
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I like the neuroplastic/wholesome/health recs in these letters, and I remember this specific advice from an earlier one and am going to echo it. Walking is really it. People love lifting and breaking sweats but frankly walking 8,000 steps a day (10 tbh) is more important for long-term health. By a hair… I won’t make any crazy claims like walking can cure depression. But…. if you eat right, breathe through your nose, get some sleep and sun and have something you want to do every day, and have a couple of bucks to your name and some friends, it might. More realistically, even when things could improve at least you get to go on a nice long walk.
Nov 23, 2022
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My trainer (who has Tom Cruise eyes) got me into landmine training this spring, where you drive a barbell, with one end attached to the floor, through space super fast. When the barbell rattles, it sounds nice, it looks like ancient Olympics, and it works your big muscles and your postural muscles (scaps) without involving your spine. It’s probably the best workout after boxing. Only downside is it’s impossible to do at home, but hey. I predict $5 quite a few bourgeois landmine gyms and classes will open all over in five years — would be great, honestly…
Nov 23, 2022
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The only way to reliably buy furniture, if you ask me. I’m biased (newsletter), but I’ve used it heavily myself. Lots of good stuff, many styles, Italian, new regency, mcm, deco, avant… things go for nothing because 1. nobody really knows anything about furniture and 2. it can sometimes require work to arrange. But if you’re willing to put in 2% time and effort you can get legit excellent old gear (or new I guess) for dirt cheap, two or three price stratospheres below retail, and way below what anything good asks on a curated IG account. Honestly everything just sells to the same dozen set decorators and re-sellers. The catch is the good stuff tends to be centered around LA, NY and Dallas. But even if you live in Seattle this is the only way of buying furniture that doesn’t involve actually lighting money on fire, or compromise.
Nov 23, 2022