Three Cheers for the Volunteers
Plus, my first true podcast appearance, source requests, and more things to, ahem, love
I’m incredibly grateful that I grew up in a sporty family, with full credit going to two parents who are natural athletes and still super active. Softball, baseball, skiing (water and snow), basketball, tennis, soccer: If my mom and dad didn’t already play it or do it, they’d often learn the basics of whatever sport my brother and I were into just so they could help us get better. My mom taught me to waterski and throw a spiral (and is now a force on the pickleball court). My dad coached my soccer teams for years, and my brother (the best athlete out of all of us, as much as I hate to admit) has done the same for his kids’ teams.
No surprise, then, that we’re all pretty competitive — and I take great pride in being the first in our family to coach a youth sports team in another language!!! (That is, if you count three key phrases in Dutch — “spelers dekken” [mark up], “vrij lopen” [get open], and “naar voren” [go forward] — as coaching in another language, which I very much do.) I’ve been helping with my son’s soccer team since last fall, and while it wasn’t exactly my choice at the beginning, I’m still at it.
The language barrier is tricky, no doubt. And it’s no fun trying to run practice in cold, rainy weather. But the benefits far outweigh the challenges. For a couple of hours a week, I stop freaking out over headlines, deadlines, and everything else giving me gray hairs these days. Instead, I turn my attention to helping these kiddos become better players on the field — and, hopefully, better people off it.
So, in light of Valentine’s Day, this is a mini love letter (and a mega thank you) to all the volunteers out there. Whether you’re putting in hours with a sports team, club, shelter, church, you name it — a hat tip and a toast to you for giving back. The world needs you now more than ever. Keep up the good work.
Recently Published Stories (Plus a Podcast Appearance!)
For Afar, this essay about why I love to explore cemeteries, especially when I travel.
Plus, I appeared on Afar’s podcast, Unpacked, to discuss tombstone tourism, as this topic is sometimes known, with the lovely host Aislyn Greene. Here’s a link on Spotify, and here it is on Apple Podcasts.
Also for Afar, a look at the new MSC World America — including a new Eataly at sea!
For KAYAK, this piece looks at visa-free travel for US passport holders.
TravMedia Travel Writer of the Week: Yours Truly
I was thrilled to be selected as TravMedia’s Travel Writer of the Week, a lovely shout-out that comes with a fun Q&A. Highlights include my idea of a perfect pitch from a PR pro (say that five times fast); professional pet peeves (spoiler alert: writers can be super annoying); what I like to write about; and links to some of my favorite pieces (including one about running a 5K sans clothing). The naked truth, indeed! I hope you’ll take a peek.
Source Requests
As always, please send a separate email for pitches: blanebachelor[at]gmail[dot]com.
For Conde Nast Traveler (update: I originally had this as Afar, my bad!), I am updating a story about how to get cheap last-minute flights: the more unique and original the tips, the better. Deadline: Feb. 25.
For Garden & Gun, I need to speak to a historian or expert on Southern history who is very well versed in WWII. Even better if they are from Alabama. I’ll explain more via email, if needed, just don’t want to give the idea away. Deadline: Feb. 26.
And That’s a Wrap!
A hearty welcome to all the new subscribers here — thank you so much for signing up. And, because today is Valentine’s Day, here’s a link to last year’s VD newsletter, in which I share 14 easy ways to show a little love to the freelance writers in your life right now.
And, just like this time last year, I’m off on vacation! (Frequent school holidays are yet another reason I love living in Europe.) If I get super inspired, I may send a newsletter next week, but most likely, I’ll be doing time off the European way — which is to say, actual time off.
Ciao for now,
Blane
Great post!