14 Comments
Feb 9, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

Hello. Not able to get into make comments on current Newsletter?

My suggestions rewarding song selections:

Part One: Music Muse

Part Two: Wrong Song Phenomenon

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Feb 9, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

One new holiday that was invented a few years ago is Wolfenoot - celebrated on November 23rd. It is, to quote one tweet: "a day when we pamper our dogs and give small gifts to dog lovers. A holiday made up by a 7 year old, Wolfenoot has taken off. Be nice to your dog today.

https://wolfenoot.com

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Feb 9, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

There IS a word for it (because I just invented it): "soundipity" in a general form and a closely related "songdipity" for more specific cases.

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Feb 9, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

In the Riverwest neighborhood in Milwaukee, we've got the Riverwest24 often referred to as The People's Holiday. It's a 24-hour bike event that's evolved over the last 13 years into a neighborhood celebration and well, a holiday.

https://youtu.be/6r4ervOeVy0?t=215 (cued up to comments on creating your own holiday)

https://www.bicycling.com/news/a20029148/riverwest-24/

https://www.instagram.com/riverwest24/

https://www.riverwest24.com/

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Feb 10, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

Re the holiday: I actually requested and received this as a gift from my husband a few years ago. He focused it around some land that we had bought in rural Michigan (my home state), where we were planning to build a rental/vacation house. Our past celebrations included walking on the (cold, the holiday is in April) beach and bowling. Fast fwd to 2020, we moved into this house from the east coast to be closer to family, save money, and have a little bit more WFH space during the pandemic and are struggling with the isolation and crummy construction. This year, the "celebration" will probably entail burning sage to banish the specter of our contractor and figuring out how to spend more time back in the city post-vaccination!

I also just want to thank you again for this newsletter, it is ridiculous how much I look forward to it, even though I have the book and get waaaaaaay too many substacks!

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Feb 11, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

Yardi Gras! Terrific! … I like your reveal … how Mardi Gras is deeply relevant and citizen-driven, transcending any gloss of tourist-driven, commercial spectacle. Not that I doubted the authenticity of the singular vibe that we felt when visiting.

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Mar 11, 2021Liked by Rob Walker

You got the idea of inventing a new holiday stuck in my head... so I decided to profess my love for daylight savings time by declaring it a holiday!! I'm looking forward to celebrating Lagniappe Light Day on March 14th! The celebration is simple: sit outside for the hour leading up to sunset, pour a beverage of your choosing, write down something you notice or experience! Optional: add music, people, pets, cooking, and reading! Cheers and thank you for the inspiration!!

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