I watch a lot of sports to turn my brain off — soccer and basketball, mostly. I listen to several podcasts (my only rule is it has to have nothing to do with politics) about pop culture and music history. I once was in the top division of FIFA soccer video game players in the world, though the campaign trail sucked up too much time, and I’ve unfortunately lost that distinction. I think the best part of living in New York is the food, and I can frequently be found on a Citi Bike in Brooklyn heading to the next place on my list.
How do you decompress from work?
My two pandemic indulgences have been plant care and sneakers. I have 12 plants in my apartment that I’m constantly trying to keep alive — my first attempt at caring for a living thing outside of myself. I’ve never had a pet. I also lean on friends and family who are totally removed from politics and media and want to talk about other things. Most recently, I bought one of those in-home exercise bikes and have been playing a lot of Scrabble — it works.
What was your favorite pandemic media?
I spent the pandemic watching a ton of media while being stuck in hotel rooms across battleground states. In the last year alone, I watched “The Sopranos” for the first time, read “Harry Potter” for the first time and watched the movies. I also watched “Boardwalk Empire,” “Peaky Blinders,” “Euphoria,” “The Mandalorian” and “Big Mouth.” If we’re talking reality shows, I’m a fan of “Married at First Sight” and the classics that can help you pass 30 minutes whenever — “Chopped,” “Four Weddings,” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
One of your first jobs was as a sports reporter. Do you still watch a lot of sports?
I watched six N.B.A. playoff games on a recent weekend. I am a big, lifelong fan of the Chicago Bulls. I’ve spent 10-ish years as a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur in London, a team in the English Premier League. I’ve seen Tottenham twice in Britain and twice in America during their preseason tours. I plan to go again as soon it’s safe to do. My newest team allegiance is the W.N.B.A.’s Chicago Sky.
If you could cover another beat at The Times, what would it be?
I could be talked into several beats — education, the London bureau and sports investigations are the first things that pop into mind.
If you could have any other job, not in journalism, what would it be?
One hundred percent, absolutely, the host of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It’s basically journalism. I could take Guy Fieri’s job.
