E.L. Doctorow said of fashioning a novel, “It’s like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” I’ve yet to begin a writing project that felt that unknowable. Perhaps soon. Until then, I prefer this benediction from Isak Denisen, “I write every day, without hope, without despair.” Here is a bit of my very best print reporting — pieces for which I hoped I’d get perfect, and so, despaired.