Taking Attendance Summary

Albom flies to London to cover Wimbledon. His workload is staggering as usual. What is unusual is his inability to get caught up the craziness of the British tabloid press. On previous trips, he'd become caught up in their steamy gossip and semi-news events, as did everyone. This time, every time he reads something silly or frivolous, he thinks of Schwartz and wonders why people get so caught up in things that don't involve them. Why are people so addicted to news of Charles and Diana's latest split? Why are they giving up hours of their own life to watch the OJ Simpson trial? Albom realizes that Schwartz doesn't bother with any of that nonsense. He devotes all his time to the things and people he loves.

Albom, on the other hand, is devoting himself to work and nothing but work...