What shape do we expect the decades of our life to take? In my twenties, I lived in 10 different cities, became the first member of my family to graduate from college, marched through a few serious relationships, abandoned the religion of my youth and completed writing 3 (of 4) novels.
But so much is left undone.
On May 10th, Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (in 3D) will release in theaters.
It finally happened. An active professional athlete has ‘come out of the closet.’
This week, we lost one of the greatest film critics to ever live. Roger Ebert was a legend in the world of cinephiles, and even casual movie fans know the iconic ‘Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down’ review that he and the late Gene Siskel made famous on their seminal review show, “At The Movies.” The man who …
Since moving to New Orleans in September, I’ve been struck by how very town-like this ‘city’ is. It’s decidedly lacking in the metropolitan aura of Chicago or Seattle, or even San Francisco which, at not even 50 square miles, is tiny but feels big. (By contrast, New Orleans is nearly 170 square miles.) This is …
Suicide is an option. It’s not the best option. It’s not even a good option, but it persists as an option and for some of us, that immutable fact colors all of our experiences, past, present and future.
I’m not sure when I first heard the phrase, “Real women have curves,” but I do know that it’s always struck me as odd. I understand it, of course. Both as a physiological point of true femininity and a feminist statement about body image, I get why the message is out there. Our culture definitely …
I got my NOLA tattoo yesterday. I found a parlour down on Magazine called Idle Hands, strolled in with my bit of text printed on a paper and in no time the quick and cordial Flex Wenger whipped up my 12th (or 13th, depending on how we’re counting) tattoo. Not only was the experience fast …
“How do you do it?” I have changed cities 10 times in the last 8 years, which means two things: I’ve gotten pretty good at moving my shit, and the Post Office hates me. One frequently asked question is “How do you do it?” They don’t mean mentally, I presume, but practically. How do I move? …
Perhaps I set a dangerous precedent last year when I offered my final thoughts on Nashville. I don’t want to get bogged down in comparing cities and ranking them, as that isn’t the point of 10 Cities / 10 Years. Yet, here I am, in my last days in Seattle, and I feel I’d be …
I love Radiohead. I’ve never been subtle on that point. I love Radiohead in their The Bends era rock mode. I love Radiohead in their ‘glitchy’ Kid A era. I love Radiohead when their lead singer goes solo or goes dancing. And I especially love Radiohead when they go Punk Floyd. Even as an unwaveringly …
“i need a good argument on being against gay marriage” was a search term that led someone to my blog. It must have led him (her?) to one of two of my blog posts in which I present those arguments they’re searching for and then refute them, exposing them for the thinly-veiled bigotry that they …
One of the most prominent novelists of his age, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote what some consider the definitive American novel, yet gnawing at the edge of his talent was an addiction that would eventually overshadow his greatest achievements.
Just as most Christians (and presumably people of other faiths) have “Conversion testimonies,” some of them heart-wrenching tales of overcoming obstacles, others merely banal anecdotes about attending Church camp, we atheists often have “Deconversion stories.” Here’s my story. I know my story isn’t particularly unique, but that’s the point, the commonality of my experience. Perhaps …
This is a tool for atheists (and like-minded skeptics) who find themselves in debates with numerous Christians and are inevitably stymied by the, “I’m not like other Christians” retort, making it impossible to distinguish what your combatant actually believes.
She speaks in silkless rhythms, cold and true
never a kind or good word spoke aloud Continue reading »
“Before me stretched the portentous menacing road of a new decade.” Continue reading »
Divine Fits – Shivers A Thing Called Divine Fits is probably my favorite album released in 2012, which is saying something because it was a good year for music. Spoon is one of my favorite bands, and when Britt Daniel takes the lead on this album, the songs sound like classic, crunchy Spoon (some of … Continue reading »
Move around enough, meet enough strangers, come face-to-face with enough gray-haired 30-year-olds, and you will inevitably be confronted with this confounding “truth”: Gravity is a lie. We never landed on the moon. Obama is from Pluto. Jesus wasn’t white (nor was he Jewish). Your broccoli isn’t organic. There is a certain portion of the population … Continue reading »
Mother tells us we don’t belong here;
still, we drank until sunrise
and left the tab open for the cats to walk in. Continue reading »
