I Like to Watch | Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood
Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall

I Like to Watch | Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood

In that pursuit, I find examples of men who are tough but not belligerent, charming but not smarmy, unquestioningly loyal but not lap dogs in movie characters. Avatars of masculinity without machismo to model our behavior. Gentlemen with that Gene Autry sense of duty to women, children, and those not in the power position in the American pursuit of happiness. The guys who can beat the crap out of a Nazi but use that aggression wisely rather than lord it over the weak.

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Termination
Paul Teodo, Tom Myers, Fiction Paul Teodo Paul Teodo, Tom Myers, Fiction Paul Teodo

Termination

Eriksen liked to stand out in red short-sleeve scrubs and extra-long gloves, blasting ZZ Top as he sawed, hammered and sewed on the orthopedically damaged suburbanites hoping to improve their less than stellar golf or tennis games. On occasion, especially in summer, I’d catch him in shorts. “Bjorn,” I’d scold him like a recalcitrant kindergartner, “put your pants on, Infection Control.”

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The Neighborhood Watch is NOT the Richest Guy on the Block
Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall

The Neighborhood Watch is NOT the Richest Guy on the Block

Earlier in the year, Tom and Jack kind of went to war against each other.  First it was just namecalling and that sort of thing but then Jack keyed Tom's boat and all hell broke loose.  Vandalization of property begat slashing of tires and eventually, Tom and Jack, their wives and kids, were routinely out in their yards, hurling shit at one another and generally disturbing everyone on the block. 

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People can’t Change but They can Evolve
David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel

People can’t Change but They can Evolve

Because we can evolve. We learn from the shit. We accept teachings. We welcome the ironic and contrary and we actually allow ourselves to truly trust those we tell ourselves we trust. We look at ourselves and reassess. We make the choice to go to bed one night determined to approach life differently when the new day hits. We climb out of the piles of our own make, the primordial ooze of dumb, hungry, angry and horny, and we remember that riches are nice but only if we can find simple joy in a bowl of Cocoa Puffs when the going is amazing as well as when it’s all fucked to shit.

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Bridges That Only Go One Way Probably Need Burning
Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall

Bridges That Only Go One Way Probably Need Burning

In your daily walk, you will encounter, and perhaps, befriend a lot of people. Some of those people require nothing from you and you require nothing from them and, if given time, a bridge of simple mutual enjoyment is built. Others will need things from you and you will find that you need things from them and both fulfill those needs through transaction of time and talent and another bridge of a different sort is built. 

Then there are the one-way bridges.

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Poetry Test & Fluxus Jokes
Poetry Guest User Poetry Guest User

Poetry Test & Fluxus Jokes

Congratulations. This letter is your official notice that you have received an adequate amount of credits to graduate, having earned a degree in POETRY, from the Dana M. Jerman School for Obnoxionist Arts.

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I Like to Watch | Designated Survivor, Season Three
Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall Don Hall

I Like to Watch | Designated Survivor, Season Three

Of all the many things that got me through the eight years of George W. Bush (rage, vitriol, a massive sense that things had gone completely wrong in the country, a belief that Cheney would figure out how to install himself as dictator, the horror of a pre-emotive war that was protested by more people than the Viet Nam conflict, and writing about all these things daily) was Martin Sheen, Aaron Sorin and The West Wing.

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The High-Maintenance Problem with The Atlantic’s Revisiting "When Harry Met Sally"
David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel David Himmel

The High-Maintenance Problem with The Atlantic’s Revisiting "When Harry Met Sally"

High-maintenance doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Owning a boat requires high-maintenance and I love owning a boat. Being a parent to a toddler requires high-maintenance and I love being a parent to a toddler. Flying a plane, driving a race car, being a professional athlete at the top of your game… all things that are high-maintenance. There are those who don’t want to deal with that sort of stuff, and that’s perfectly okay. Driving a Honda Civic while wearing a baseball hat because you didn’t style your hair is pretty low-maintenance. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

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Chris Churchill Saves the World | Lies! Lies! Lies!
Churchill Saves the World Chris Churchill Churchill Saves the World Chris Churchill

Chris Churchill Saves the World | Lies! Lies! Lies!

Lies that we believe that make all of us, with our various morals, goals, drives, and ambitions, feel better:

24. Good looking people probably have a hole in their heart. And for that reason, it’s good to be who you are.

25. Your kids are gorgeous.

26. Your parents are the best!

27. Your dog really gets you.

28. Other people’s opinions about theatre matters.

29. “This is the best Italian beef in the city of Chicago.”

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Not Easy
Elizabeth Harper, Poetry Elizabeth Harper Elizabeth Harper, Poetry Elizabeth Harper

Not Easy

It’s not easy for someone like me to be happy
Always second guessing every decision
Finding something to criticize in every situation
I know others don’t find everything crappy
No irony when they state their mission
But to me their words sound sappy

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