I come for the amazing Cafe Anne newsletter, but I stay for Eric Adams Watch!
Can we talk about one of those Eric Adams items? His motto is “No distractions, stay focused and grind!” That's a great motto! But what makes Eric Adams great is that he's so easily distracted. Where are we on the campaign to eradicate rats? No idea! Eric Adams is movin' on up, or telling a cannabis dealer that they're movin' on up. Point is, the dude is a walking, talking distraction machine, and I am here for it. Thank you for another great, Eric Adams Watch, Anne!
LOL and good point Mr. Estrin, we haven't heard anything about the anti-rat campaign in at least a month! It seems he's gotten a little bored and moved on. Sad!
When is the filing deadline for the next Mayor's race? I might have to use my sisters address (because I don't live in the city) and make up some story about being a vegan, but I will enter that race if only to raise the rat issue and hold Eric Adams to his promise.
Anne, The Senior Citizen Roulette is one of my favorite reoccurring pieces you feature. I used to work in a nursing home many years ago and I loved sitting down with the residents and hearing their stories. I feel like Seniors get forgotten about in our society but they are filled with knowledge and tons of laughs. They are the living and breathing time capsules to a different time. Just fascinating.
Oh I'm so glad you enjoy it is much as I do, Justin.
It's so weird I have to be very careful about who I approach because no one wants to be mistaken for a senior citizen when they are not. It's considered an insult. When it should be the other way around! I hope to god that when I am old I am feeling proud of it and not embarrassed or ashamed. It's so awful when people apologize for being old!!!
I love the story of the guy who read Victor Frankl and was inspired to be a teaching assistant in prison. He is so inspiring!
He didn’t just read the book, he took it to heart and lived it. He probably changed more lives behind bars than many of us will on the outside and I salute him for it.
I woke up this morning, thinking, “oh…it’s Monday”, and then I remembered that it’s also the day we get a new issue of Cafe Anne! “But you know what's even better than qishr? COFFEE!”—ssssssssssss I could literally hear the sizzle when I read that burn! 🔥 We can’t say you didn’t try. Also, I really loved reading Bill‘s story. Thank you for sharing that with us. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a former teacher, but reading about how he dedicated himself in the joint to helping others learn was really touching and inspiring. Bill, if you’re reading this, I wish you all the best!
Laura, I hope that if I'm ever in that sort of spot, I'd be like Bill. He's inspired me to read the Viktor Frankl book again too. It's so short—I should read it every few years!
When I get grow up I want to be as wise as your interview subjects. You get so many great responses! I would love to know how many people you have to ask before getting a sampling you're happy with. I imagine there are a large percentage of people who decline your interview requests.
Rob, I've gotten pretty good just sort of knowing in advance who will chat. This time around, I asked four people and you can read the comments from the three seniors who agreed to chat. But it still took a couple hours and about three miles of walking, because seniors in NYC are scarce, especially when it's chilly out. Also, I only approach people who are alone and sitting down, because I don't want to bother those who are in transit or in conversation.
You got me interested in learning a little, David. Its the capital and largest city in Haiti, (as you probably know) but "just" 1.2 million people. I also caught up on some of the news about the gang violence yesterday. Good lord.
I'm rooting for Bill as well. I gave him a card with the newsletter url on it so hopefully he is reading all the comments.
Thanks, Anne, for another great column! I love that you ended with Bill's story. It was so inspiring! All the seniors were great though; God bless them! I also appreciated the EA Watch; someone has to keep an eye on him--especially for the "reality check" moments you catalogued. I'm not sure what to make of qishr, but you did! Thanks for satisfying my vicarious interest.
Thanks Anita! I'm glad you found Bill's story inspiring. I did too! It probably didn't come through in the short portion of our exchange I included, but he was was very peaceful and calm and good-humored too.
I might enjoy Mayor Adams' wackiness if he wasn't about to make decimating cuts to the public schools. My daughters - age 3 and 6 - go to an excellent one - but it's under funded as is. And with 25% of NYC kids in poverty, it's awful to anticipate what the cuts will mean. Still I appreciate Anne putting his comments in one place and tracking them continuously in her always fun and interesting Substack. Let's find someone great - knowledgable, qualified, compassionate - and sane - to elect next!
You know what Lizzie? I felt bad after posting that response to your comment, and I'm sorry it was on the snarky side. I think the people of NYC can do amazing things together for sure.
First: thank you for the killer Scrabble word. QISHR for the win or triple word score, hopefully. I love your Senior's Roulette concept! Several years ago I took advantage of a "Honduras Roulette" at the Flight Centre. For one pre-determined price, you could land a week at one of three all-inclusive properties. The carrot was the brand new Media Luna Resort which was substantially more. (I won! And oddly, there were only 28 guests which was amazing). As for a NYC senior roulette question, I'd ask: Do you have a pen pal story to share?
Two words---lobster quesadillas! (In Honduras, not a Scrabble word). Thanks for adding me to the list--have you published that roulette list in it's entirety already? Probably. Would love a link! What's my roulette number that I have to cross fingers for?
Jules, that is a great idea to publish the roulette list. I will create a new page for that and post a link in the next issue. That way everyone can play in their own city!
I come for the amazing Cafe Anne newsletter, but I stay for Eric Adams Watch!
Can we talk about one of those Eric Adams items? His motto is “No distractions, stay focused and grind!” That's a great motto! But what makes Eric Adams great is that he's so easily distracted. Where are we on the campaign to eradicate rats? No idea! Eric Adams is movin' on up, or telling a cannabis dealer that they're movin' on up. Point is, the dude is a walking, talking distraction machine, and I am here for it. Thank you for another great, Eric Adams Watch, Anne!
LOL and good point Mr. Estrin, we haven't heard anything about the anti-rat campaign in at least a month! It seems he's gotten a little bored and moved on. Sad!
And I assume NYC still has rats, right?
I MIGHT have seen a few this morning, Mr. Estrin!
When is the filing deadline for the next Mayor's race? I might have to use my sisters address (because I don't live in the city) and make up some story about being a vegan, but I will enter that race if only to raise the rat issue and hold Eric Adams to his promise.
I'm down for the First NYC Mayor To Live on the West Coast!
Michael Estrin - ZOOM Mayor!
Can I be your campaign manager, Michael? And Anne - will you be President of the City Council?
I'll take Brooklyn Borough President - living in North Carolina!
You’re hired! First rule of our campaign: we don’t set foot inside the city limits (because of the rats).
Anne, The Senior Citizen Roulette is one of my favorite reoccurring pieces you feature. I used to work in a nursing home many years ago and I loved sitting down with the residents and hearing their stories. I feel like Seniors get forgotten about in our society but they are filled with knowledge and tons of laughs. They are the living and breathing time capsules to a different time. Just fascinating.
Oh I'm so glad you enjoy it is much as I do, Justin.
It's so weird I have to be very careful about who I approach because no one wants to be mistaken for a senior citizen when they are not. It's considered an insult. When it should be the other way around! I hope to god that when I am old I am feeling proud of it and not embarrassed or ashamed. It's so awful when people apologize for being old!!!
"he’d have made us a ladder" ☠️☠️😂😂
“The moon is not bothering you.” I love him!
Yep just delightful!
I wonder what his thoughts are on going to Mars, lmao!
The world needs a Senior Citizen Roulette book.
LOL what a fun idea Kimberly! A coffee table book! I'd love to buy that book. But I'd even more want to create it!
DO IT!
OMG YES, Anne. DO THIS!! It would make such a great gift for people of so many ages.
That sounds like a pretty easy and imminently marketable non-fiction book proposal!
On my to-do list, Mr. Gowani!
Everyone I know would receive one for Christmas!
I love the story of the guy who read Victor Frankl and was inspired to be a teaching assistant in prison. He is so inspiring!
He didn’t just read the book, he took it to heart and lived it. He probably changed more lives behind bars than many of us will on the outside and I salute him for it.
He inspired me too, LH. And it's true what you say. We can choose to be a force for good no matter what our situation.
A believable 'this man came up to me with tears in his eyes' story.
Wonderful newsletter! Thank you.
I hate to quibble but it seems that in senior citizen roulette EVERYONE wins! (Including us readers)!
We should probably review the whole score keeping system for that game…
Hmmm perhaps there is some way, score-wise to reconcile "EVERYONE" and "NOBODY," mordy. Substack the cockroach intern is ON IT!
the senior interviews are INCREDIBLE.
Thank you Leonor! So happy you enjoyed!
I woke up this morning, thinking, “oh…it’s Monday”, and then I remembered that it’s also the day we get a new issue of Cafe Anne! “But you know what's even better than qishr? COFFEE!”—ssssssssssss I could literally hear the sizzle when I read that burn! 🔥 We can’t say you didn’t try. Also, I really loved reading Bill‘s story. Thank you for sharing that with us. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a former teacher, but reading about how he dedicated himself in the joint to helping others learn was really touching and inspiring. Bill, if you’re reading this, I wish you all the best!
Laura, I hope that if I'm ever in that sort of spot, I'd be like Bill. He's inspired me to read the Viktor Frankl book again too. It's so short—I should read it every few years!
I agree - and I never expected Cafe Anne to inspire me to re-read Viktor Frankl! Thanks again, Ms Kadet!
I'm just about inspired to do a senior citizen roulette of my own. My town is basically one large old folks home! Bill sounds inspirational.
I felt so happy after my chat with Bill, Rueben!
And that would be SO COOL if you tried SCR in your town. If you do let me know how it goes please!
When I get grow up I want to be as wise as your interview subjects. You get so many great responses! I would love to know how many people you have to ask before getting a sampling you're happy with. I imagine there are a large percentage of people who decline your interview requests.
Rob, I've gotten pretty good just sort of knowing in advance who will chat. This time around, I asked four people and you can read the comments from the three seniors who agreed to chat. But it still took a couple hours and about three miles of walking, because seniors in NYC are scarce, especially when it's chilly out. Also, I only approach people who are alone and sitting down, because I don't want to bother those who are in transit or in conversation.
It's a fun way to spend a morning though!
Has anyone ever said that Port-au-Prince is the New York of Haiti?
The story of the ex-prisoner having his life changed by reading Victor Frankl was very moving. Whoever he is I'm rooting for him very hard.
You got me interested in learning a little, David. Its the capital and largest city in Haiti, (as you probably know) but "just" 1.2 million people. I also caught up on some of the news about the gang violence yesterday. Good lord.
I'm rooting for Bill as well. I gave him a card with the newsletter url on it so hopefully he is reading all the comments.
Wow. I hope Bill writes a memoir. I’d read that. What a beautiful human. Love these interviews.
The tea sounds yummy. Did you finish it?
Glad you enjoyed the interviews, CK!
I did finish both cups, CK, but I don't think I'll make qishr again. Life is too short to not have every cup be a cup of COFFEE.
Thanks, Anne, for another great column! I love that you ended with Bill's story. It was so inspiring! All the seniors were great though; God bless them! I also appreciated the EA Watch; someone has to keep an eye on him--especially for the "reality check" moments you catalogued. I'm not sure what to make of qishr, but you did! Thanks for satisfying my vicarious interest.
Thanks Anita! I'm glad you found Bill's story inspiring. I did too! It probably didn't come through in the short portion of our exchange I included, but he was was very peaceful and calm and good-humored too.
I might enjoy Mayor Adams' wackiness if he wasn't about to make decimating cuts to the public schools. My daughters - age 3 and 6 - go to an excellent one - but it's under funded as is. And with 25% of NYC kids in poverty, it's awful to anticipate what the cuts will mean. Still I appreciate Anne putting his comments in one place and tracking them continuously in her always fun and interesting Substack. Let's find someone great - knowledgable, qualified, compassionate - and sane - to elect next!
LOL Good luck with that one Lizzie!
Wait - do you really think it's impossible to elect a great mayor? I don't. I think we can!
You know what Lizzie? I felt bad after posting that response to your comment, and I'm sorry it was on the snarky side. I think the people of NYC can do amazing things together for sure.
Oh don't feel bad. I'm dead serious about electing a better mayor - and I'm not worried that I'm alone.
Hilarious quotes from Eric Adams! Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed, Ms. Smith!
First: thank you for the killer Scrabble word. QISHR for the win or triple word score, hopefully. I love your Senior's Roulette concept! Several years ago I took advantage of a "Honduras Roulette" at the Flight Centre. For one pre-determined price, you could land a week at one of three all-inclusive properties. The carrot was the brand new Media Luna Resort which was substantially more. (I won! And oddly, there were only 28 guests which was amazing). As for a NYC senior roulette question, I'd ask: Do you have a pen pal story to share?
Oh wow Jules I did not think of it but yes, that's a lot Scrabble points! And I'm adding SCR your question to the list of questions. Thank you!
And oh man I googled the resort. You really lucked out there!
Two words---lobster quesadillas! (In Honduras, not a Scrabble word). Thanks for adding me to the list--have you published that roulette list in it's entirety already? Probably. Would love a link! What's my roulette number that I have to cross fingers for?
Jules, that is a great idea to publish the roulette list. I will create a new page for that and post a link in the next issue. That way everyone can play in their own city!
Your question, btw, is #41.
C'mon, lucky 41! Thanks for sharing the roulette list, I feel a movement in the making!