By David Himmel

• Making a living can make it really hard to feel alive.

• Jussie Smollett’s face as he spoke to the media after the Cook County State’s Attorney dropped all charges against him struck me as way, way, way more smug than that of the MAGA hat kid.

• Above the Rim came out 25 years ago. So, too, did its soundtrack. The celebrated soundtrack featured the Warren G and Nate Dogg hit “Regulate.” This song was everywhere in 1994. It was in my stereo, in my Walkman, in my friends’ stereos and Walkmans. And it was on repeat constantly. The song sounded like nothing else we’d heard before. Think of it as the hip hop version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” (Here’s a good discussion about the song and the album.) I loved this song. We all did. Fast forward a generation… I hadn’t heard the song in a while but it did come on the radio as I was driving back from our tax appointment this week. Since then, I’ve been trying to understand why the song now strikes me as boring, sloppy, and pointless.

• To believe that perception as reality is to operate in selfishness. Your perception is your reality. Only by reconciling our varied perceptions can there be peace on Earth and peace in your home.

• I’m afraid that the Left (the side I most identify with) sucks at marketing. That’s why Trump keeps winning.

• There is nothing better than productive writing.