Tim Russert, NBC News Washington bureau chief, moderator of Meet The Press, bestselling author, ardent Buffalo Bills fan, he of the famous "Florida, Florida, Florida" dry erase board of Election Night 2000, has died at the age of 58, incidentally only a year or two older than either of my parents. His family mourns him over Father's Day. We mourn him at the end of the first part of the most exciting campaign season in my lifetime. There was no one quite like Tim Russert. Every time you saw him on TV, he always had that same look in his eyes, the look that says that this is exactly where he wants to be, that he absolutely loves what he does. A few weeks ago, after some primary, he announced, "We now know who the Democratic nominee will be." It was in that moment that Obama had won. Tim Russert would not have called it unless it were true, and he wouldn't have called it before it were true.
Jodi and I went to Central Park the other day, just for the day. It was a beautiful day, sunny and simple. We drank coffee, walked, talked, sat on rocks and in grass, took pictures of lovers in boats and children playing. Everything was perfect, right down to making the last red line train to Harvard by a split-second. I don't say it much on this forum, and I know she knows it, but all my faithful readers should know that I love Jodi.
Jodi is the one who turned me on to Harry Potter, which most of my friends have already read and loved. I was the guy who never read it, never wanted to, just because everyone else was doing it. Different story now, though. I am absolutely loving these books. The story they tell is timeless, familiar in its archetypes but totally original, a finely detailed world unto itself, with richly drawn, varied characters.
I have finished the 6th and penultimate book, and what an ending! Everything that Harry and his friends suspected all these years about their least favorite teacher, the sallow faced, greasy haired Snape, has been confirmed in the most horrible way. Dumbledore, the wise and strong headmaster, is murdered by Snape, a man in whom he put absolute, unquestionable trust. I promised myself I would wait a while until starting book 7, but, wow, I can't wait to find out what happens.
1 comment:
the title is quite fitting for this entry. death, love, and betrayal.
Tim Russert was a man who seemed so enthusiastic about every aspect of life. His passion and genuine kindness shown through his eyes every time i saw him. Its a shame.. a tragedy that he passed away at a, relatively, young age.
as for central park, you were the perfect reconnaissance companion. thank you for being simple and sunny, even on so little sleep and while worrying a bit about catching the last red-line train.
to snape,...there never was a character who provided as much material to discuss over coffee.
alohamora!
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