Am I happy? Since my eyes opened four hours ago, I’ve dreaded writing this essay. Now that I’m drafting this essay, the dread grows. It’s not coming together as expected. This feeling sucks. My head hurts. I want to go back to bed. No, I am not happy.
Public opinion sees chewing on fingernails as slovenly. Something an unkempt person would do. As one of the unfortunates to be afflicted with this chronic behavior, I disagree. I chew my cuticles and nails down because I cannot tolerate the disorder. If one cuticle so much as thinks about lifting away from its nailbed, my … Continue reading Newsletter #43: I Cannot Be Trusted
I used to craft a list of goals on January 1st. From 2014 to 2021, I was a zealot, dedicating hours and hours to this alter. My goal sheet had three columns: 1 year, 5 year, and 10 year. The idea came from a productivity book. And to the exercise's credit, I accomplished a few … Continue reading Newsletter #42: The Power of a New Identity
People ask my wife and I why we moved to Asheville. Often, we haven’t had an explanation other than it felt right. Often, I do think we’re kinda crazy. But last night, I felt a little less crazy and a little more alive, knowing that...
One finding, revealed as a mid-life crisis, career catharsis, and cross-country move stripped my life to the studs, has freed me from the straitjacket I've known for most of my life.
This week I worked from Tampa Bay. Or St. Petersburg. Or Clearwater. Or Largo. Somewhere in the more tropical, more relaxed, still sprawling east coast that mirrors the sprawling west coast I know well. Allegiant offered a $117, round-trip chance to accompany my wife to her conference, and I said, "Bye winter." On our last … Continue reading Newsletter #41: Even Better Than Hampton Inn’s Breakfast
Don’t worry about me, I have no strip clubbing to purge from my system, no “legs and eggs” brunches calling my name; but I do own another desire, one I neglected a decade ago, that I reckon with now.
Seriously, you’re trying to make $50 off a coffee table? You have $200,000 in student loans! Wake the hell up! This isn’t going anywhere!
For those unacquainted, field position is a football thing. The idea is to dictate where the ball is located on the field. If you can keep the other team further from your endzone, they won't score as many points. And if they don't score points, you usually win. Ask Iowa, they make football scores look … Continue reading Newsletter #39: Just Punt the Damn Ball
My wife and I flew back to Oklahoma City for Thanksgiving, getting in Wednesday afternoon. And four hours after our arrival, we went to a karaoke bar. Not my first choice, but we were with my in-laws. They love music. And I could love it for a night.
