A Week of Being Kin Lane - July 28th, 2025
We had multiple bike issues keeping us off the road this week. The spokes on our rear wheel were needing tightening, as the wheel began wobbling. However, after back on the road for a couple days, our rim had a split, forcing us to wait for a replacement wheel, which came in on Saturday. However, once arrived, we realized we didn’t have a free wheel tool, forcing us to now wait another day. Very sad Rottweiler. I am working on making sure we have a replacement part for every major thing that can go wrong now.
My friend Steve Willmott was in town. We met up at Columbus Circle and walked up to 72nd for a Grays Papaya hot dogs. Then we made our way back down to Columbus Circle through the park talking about both of ours tech businesses, stopping for lemonade and coffee, and then over to 9th avenue where I picked up my tire from the bike shop. Always good to see Steve and compare views of what is happening in technology sector.
One of the greatest things ever happened to me this week. My kiddo followed me on LikedIn. This was the first adult following on social media, which clearly acknowledges that I am indeed a cool dad, cause why on earth would she follow me on LinkedIn if I wasn’t?
Like Kai Ryssdal, I find myself thinking a lot about which side of history I want to be on, and how our children will see us in the future. I know that it can be hard to know where things will land based upon how the world unfolds, but if you close your eyes and lead with your heart, it isn’t hard at all to know which side you need to be on in this moment.
History impacts us all a little differently. I was reminded this week of one of the things that scarred me in the 1970s—watercress sandwiches, or more specifically the variety of fucking sprouts our parents were convinced to grow on the window sills. Big thick slabs of cheddar with a dense thicket of sprouts on a sandwich messed me up forever.
As I work on building my new business an prepare to enter the market today I found this post by Dr. Manhattan on Bluesky to resonate. If you fall prey to the myths of business in this country you believe that innovation is a natural part of what is happening, but once you been around the block a few times you realize that is the last thing most investors want to see.
We went out Thursday night for a lovely jazz session at the Birdland with Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes. They both played piano, but I could see and hear Renee, but only could hear bill. Well, I could see his face—which was expressive. It made for a lovely tango of familiar and unfamiliar songs from our usual front row seat at our happy place at the Birdland.
Trumps decision to force hospitalization on the homeless, addicted, and those struggling with their mentally health this week triggered me. I am privileged enough to be able to find refuge from much of what he is doing, but this one hit hard at my heart. I know he intends to be cruel, but I just can’t fathom how we can’t see capitalism grinding up up these people and leaving them on the streets, and that their response is to throw them in prisons and camps. Mental health is not a crime. Addiction is not a crime. Capitalism and not caring are the crimes.
Audrey and I went out for lunch on Saturday with friends Vim and Ben. We started at a great little pub called the Bondurants. I had chicken wings, deviled eggs, and a cider. Then we made our way over to the Met to see the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibit. It was a compelling blend of historic and modern views of fashion from slaves passing for free by dressing in very fine ways to the Harlem Renaissance to contemporary fashion. There are so many ways to signal to those around us when it comes to what we wear.
I am reviewing proposals from my partner in crime LeTroy Gardner on two compelling podcast series. While doing the planning he commented how he was just now getting his creativity back after leaving our previous employer. I am funding these podcasts to tell these particular stories, but to also give LeTroy something to focus his talents on in a creative way. My goal is to help us both get back to our creative levels, but this time without the constraints imposed upon us by our former employer.
I just woke up from a nap on the couch. I strongly believe that naps are important and worthy of mentioning in ones personal newsletter. I think naps are the number one way you can protest capitalism and those in power, by lying down on the couch and reclaiming some time just for you. Poppy joined me for some of the nap, but most of it was just me gloriously snoring away.
We talked of mice, the cat and I, and of the importance of napping.”
― Catherine Gilbert Murdock, The Book of Boy