Hold Tight

RIP Sally Menke

If There Were No Tea Party

vs.



let's get back on track, people.

Why I Won't Be Going Into Politics

Tonight my father gave me "the talk", which happens about once every six months. It is when he relays in his own subtle way how he believes the direction in which I am taking my life is not optimal. The close alternate to this speech is how I made crucial errors in the past. The last time I got that lecture it was about how I should have played football, gone to Penn State, and could now be making millions of dollars. I tried to counter with the fact that I am 5'10'', have not been in shape since I was 12, and have had four psychotic episodes. Also I'm white.

Anyhow, the current version of "the talk" is about how while acting is admirable, and will probably make me happy, and is something I could do well in, my "gift" for politics made me obligated to pursue that instead. Apparently I have a rare grasp for fact, figure, and dynamics. It really isn't false modesty when I say I don't entirely agree. Nor is this back-handed boasting, just a frame of reference for how my dad gets because I know who Scott Walker is.

After my sincere modesty, I told him that even if he were right I'd equate it to someone understanding more than the average bear about serial killers being told they should become a criminal profiler. To deny it may be shutting the door on a true affinity, but it's the best choice. I simply can't think of anything that would contribute to my already natural hopelessness and depression than working in politics right now.

We have a choice between pussies and cowards. Pussies don't know what's best and are too scared to think about it, cowards do but refuse to do it. I'll let you decide which party is which. Either way, we're in a terrible time for those who want the real solutions to at least be discussed. And I can't imagine being on the inside. I would burn out.

A few of my friends either are or have worked on campaigns, for either side of the aisle. Things have gone well for some, less so for others. Either way, I sense a creeping malaise in all of them. The vigor, idealism, and passion that come with youth would seem to indicate that politics would be a young man's game, but I don't think that's the case. I imagine we're producing yet another generation of the disillusioned who will become more and more detached and opportunistic. And that's fine probably. Little pink houses for you and me.

Nobody wants to see how the sausage is made. But people really don't want to realize that they're making sausage.

P.S. that picture is totally going in the bank.

Labor Day

Chin Chin

Natchez

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google map of the route at the end of Waits' Don't Go Into That Barn. Seems doable. Next Summer.