Me on swimming pool neurosis; or, how swimming pools are generally symbols of soul-crushing ennui and (little) deaths, every damm time. With a cameo from “the Brit,” i.e. my pal Abby McDonald, who has books you can buy (like Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots) at the bookstore. She is 25 years old and is copyediting book number 5.