Some Small Advice on Living in a World That Isn’t Right

I am lucky to have sons who care about people and the condition of the world. They are very attuned to what is going on and feel anxiety over what is happening and how they can have an impact. Eliot and I have been having conversations as I leave for work in the morning and he is returning home from his third shift position, and they have been wonderful. We didn’t have much time to talk today however, so I shot him this text when I got to the office. I’m sharing it here too, just in case it is helpful to anyone: I am just one guy, so this may only apply to me and I may not even have the whole picture. I most likely do not. For what it's worth though, this is my purpose in a world that is not right: 1. Do not become hard to fight hard things. Strength and hardness are different. 2. Protect and engage in the things that make humanity beautiful: kindness, joy, art, silliness. Those are the real enemies of fascism. 3. Cultivate Joy and Hope in yourself and share it with those around you. Joy and hope are not things that you run out of. Unlike other things, the more you give them to others, the more they increase in you. I hope that is helpful.

My Pens So Far…

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Eastgate, January 3 2025

The good thing about the sky is it can be seen anywhere by anyone at anytime. All you have to do is look up. No economic class, race, gender or nationality has a view better than anyone else.

Make It Happen

I’m at the Rollarena watching Langston skate—and his skills have increased significantly—but there is a guy here maybe 10 years younger than me trying to learn how to skate and he keeps falling and laughing and his friends are watching him and laughing, but he keeps getting up and going for it and it is honestly inspiring. I would upload a video of him, but I don’t want to make him self-conscious if he catches me recording. He’s a pimp though.

Mercy Mercy Mercy!

This is one of my favorite songs of all time because of this performance. It’s a great song on its own, but this live version—where the crowd’s reaction is as important as the music itself—makes it a near religious experience on vibes alone. If you haven’t heard it yet, please accept my recommendation.

Soundtrack For a Quick Trip, Taking Jack to Work

The Parker Jotter Crew

Eastgate Sunset

Religion

I wish all the holy books in the world were written in musical notes. That way, no one could misunderstand the gospel when it was preached.

Airport

Sitting at the international airport surrounded by families speaking all different kinds of languages, laughing and conversing with each other. I love it. The world is full of beauty.

The Top 10 Movies of All Time

Top 10 Movies You really only know what movies resonate the most with your true soul after you have done some serious introspection and lived a handful of decades. At the age of 43, I am confident in sharing these movies as my top 10 of all time. Not because of their artistic merit or some academic bullshit like that, but because they are true to me, they informed and reflect my experience as a human being, and I will gladly watch them from start to finish any time, and eagerly recommend them to anyone I can.You may ask yourself: why doesn't he explain why each movie he lists in his top 10 is valuable? The answer is that because they are great because od how they interact with my own life, and anyonw who knows ans loves me will see this list and--if they have seen these movies--will understand instantly why I regard them the way I do. Here are the best movies to ever enter my phenomenal field: 1. Bringing Out The Dead 2. Do The Right Thing 3. The Sisters Brothers 4. In Bruges 5. In a Lonely Place 6. Bad Lieutenant 7. The Big Chill 8. Dog Day Afternoon 9. Fanny and Alexander 10. The Godfather part 1

It Comes On Like a Fever

I felt the first stirring of it Wednesday when—for Youth Hope Month—the Lighthouse team met the Brighton Center team in the middle of the Purple People Bridge to exchange letters from youth on both sides of the river and hand off a banner that will be passed back during the second annual event next year. Then I felt it again yesterday while I was sitting around with family talking and having a good time on Thanksgiving. Just now it came to me full on as I walked into Jungle Jim’s to pick up some pork belly for dinner. People in coats were milling all around, chatting and drinking wine and beer, and Ave Maria was playing through the store sound system. It was undeniable at that moment…I have come down with a bad case of The Christmas Spirit.

My Kid Is Putting In The Work

As I was on my way home from work, I received a text from my son asking if we could have pizza for dinner. I had to respond, ‘Sorry man, I am broke! We are going to have to do leftovers.’ But true to his chosen field of social work, he hustled up some free pizzas from Dominoes on his way home from college by utilizing the absolutely necessary social work skills of resource finding, self-advocacy, and not accepting institutionally imposed expectations. He doesn’t even have his Associate’s Degree yet, but he already has the spirit of the work. Well done.

Choose Hope

Today was challenging, but I had the privilege to drive home with the top down in amazing weather, and had to pull over to take a picture of this majestic sky. We are all lucky to be alive, and lucky to have the opportunity to fight. Choose hope. The sky is correct.

Our Country Is Sick

I am struggling with an intense anger this morning. Resources are thin and programs are full, and people reach out to me looking for help and my options are limited. I can listen to them and express compassion, and point them in the most helpful direction I can think of, but it’s not enough. I’ve had three people cry on the phone with me this morning because they are worried about losing housing and providing for their children. It is heartbreaking. The anger comes in when I think about the fascist government my neighbors just elected into office, and the utter cruelty it reveals about them. I think about the programs that are about to be cut or totally defunded, and the immigrant families that are going to be devastated, and it makes me want to weep.