Finding Geena
When someone tells a lie like this for so long to so many people, the lie becomes a habit and habits become addiction.
If There is No Evil, How Can There Be Good?
"We fat all creatures else to fat us,” Hamlet states, “and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service—two dishes, but to one table. That’s the end.”
The Campfire Rule
Intense self indulgence is rarely very different from intense self destruction. It’s just a slower version of it. Unless you’re in Vegas and then the two are roughly equivalent.
I Believe... [Decency is In Person]
I believe... that there is more decency in holding a door open for a stranger you can see than every tweet ever written for a cause that affects people you’ll never know. The first is an act of service; the second is a linquistic selfie taken and shared for approval.
The Unique Power of the Roadtrip
The life as I knew it was blown to bits a little over a month ago. I have a Prius (red so it's like a pocket protector with a Clash sticker). I had a destination (Kansas, home of my parents and sister). And lots and lots of road in between.
The Minotaur and the Mermaid
Carl knew better than to fall for a Mermaid. Notoriously fickle and prone to deception, Mermaids had a viciousness only equalled by their beauty.
I Believe… [Family Levels the Field]
I believe... that family is who you hang with to remember who you are rather than who you thought you were.
The Chameleon
"OK. Calm down," responded Davis. "This is a classic John Hughes kind of dilemma. You're dating three different women. You like each one equally but for different reasons. Let's really make a Nick Hornsby list and see who you see yourself with in, say, seven years.
Grizzly
He lied there, the beast breathing slowly, and wondered what happened? Where was his wife? Did she do this to him? Why?
I Believe… [The Road to Restoration]
I believe... that a roadtrip by yourself, arm out the window, stereo blasting heavy metal from the ‘80s, is better than all of the meditation available. Even when you the first speeding ticket you’ve had since 1989.
The Taste of Mourning
At first he couldn't find her. He knew she couldn't be far. He heard something like an animal and turned the corner. There she was, on all fours, loping through the parking lot like a dog or chimpanzee.
The Yeti Rings Twice
Yetis and Unicorns will never stay together long.
Til Death (or Dismemberment) Do Us Part
"Are you waking up, lover? I'm sorry about your tongue, Sweetie, but I had to take it. Can't have you talking to people about me, can I? I'm a little sad because even though you were always a blowhard, I'll miss our conversations about things. Hold on a sec. You won't feel this except for a little pressure but this thing is really loud."
I Believe... [Recently Abandoned Version]
I believe... that realizing you married your unrequited love is a real piece of mindfuckery.
The Consequence of Bad Choices
"I'm you. From nine years in your future. I'm not entirely sure how I got here but I figured out exactly whyonce I saw that I was in Chicago on this day. I knew exactly where you'd be. I'm here, I think, to prevent devastation."
The Eye of the Beholder
"I guess I feel lonely. Or alone. I don't feel like we are on the same page as a married couple and I can't figure out why."
I Believe... [That Third Time Charm Stuff is Bullshit]
I believe... that it’s incredibly difficult to appreciate a wonderful meal if it ends with a pile of shit on a banquet plate. The final course determines the meal.
The Improbable Dangers of Candle Wax
He could hardly make himself say it. He sat on the couch—she was just sitting there laughing about a dumb YouTube and the sound of her hoarse giggles was like music—lit up a cigarette—she hated these things but I think I need them right now—and stared hard at her shoes on the floor.
No Steak Knives for Me
For myself, I've answered the question about separating the artist from the art.
I Believe... [#BookTok is an Oxymoron]
...that using social media to sell books is as pointless and unforgiving as selling bibles in a brothel.
...that intense and deep aren’t the same thing even if you’ve convinced yourself they are. Intense is momentary and fleeting; deep is the result of time and energy.