Kurt Streeter is a reporter at the Los Angeles Times, where has been a feature writer, covered transportation and crime, written a column for the sports section, and currently covers religion. Before moderating a panel on how to make higher education more inclusive, he talked about his professional tennis dreams, his fear of water, and his dad’s shoes in the Zócalo green room.
Do you have any recurring dreams or nightmares?
I used to play tennis professionally, like on the low levels of pro tennis, so I’m constantly dreaming that I’m at Wimbledon. And I’m playing on the outside courts at Wimbledon, and then I wake up, and it’s terror. Dream unfulfilled. So yeah, that’s my big dream. About every six months, too.
If you could play anyone in tennis, whom would you choose?
Roger. All I have to say is Roger, right?
What does it take to embarrass you?
Writing a crappy story. That’s the worst. Tens of thousands of people, hopefully more, reading something that you think, “Oh man, I hope nobody picks up the paper today or goes online.” I’ve had a few of those. A few dogs. Hopefully not too many.
What book have you re-read most?
Probably Levels of the Game, John McPhee.
Mission to outer space or deep-sea exploration?
Outer space. I’m deeply afraid of the water. I learned how to swim at 45, and I wrote about it on the front page. Terrifying experience. So anything with water, to this day, I’ll stay away from. And space, you’re flying, you’re free! … Right, as long as it doesn’t turn into a Gravity situation.
What are you keeping in your closet that you should have thrown out already?
Old shoes. I’ve just got tons of old shoes. Actually, [points to his feet] this is a pair of old shoes I have here. These are probably 20 years old. I’ll never let go of these ’cause these are my dad’s shoes. They usually sit in the back of my closet, but when I need good luck, like tonight, I whip them out. My dad died six years ago, and we were really close; he’s like my force field on nights where I might be a little nervous.
Where do you come up with your best ideas?
Running around Silver Lake, probably. And the neighborhoods around Silver Lake. Trying not to get hit by cars and sucking in too many fumes. And, this is probably true for a lot of people, when you’re half-awake. I used to have a little pad of paper by my bed, and when I was working on a big story, I’d turn over barely awake and write it out because the rhythm sounded good.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a pro tennis player. My hero was Arthur Ashe.
What would you choose as your theme song?
Some song probably from Radiohead. But I don’t even know the names of those songs. That’s what I listen to when I’m running a lot.
How would you describe yourself in five words or less.
How about three words? Friendly and open.