Sunday, February 25, 2024

Potato Soup

My son just told me the potato soup I made for dinner last night was possibly the best he’s ever had. I have been making this simple meal for 20 years now, and literally wing it every time. It was really good, but it would be impossible to recreate. I probably should have written the recipe down at some point, but in a world where you can get whatever you want whenever you want if you have the resources to get it, I am actually happy to know that I have shared something with people I love that they enjoyed, and can never be replicated. Which makes that shared experience sanctified in some way. There is no added value better than that. Also, the idea that I perfected something by accident through mere repitition and with absolutely no intent is rewarding too.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Gratitude

Every now and then my kids tell me how they’re going to spend their money when they get wealthy, and they talk about fixing up the house and taking me to places I’ve wanted to go for vacation. Of course I tell them to save their money, but it honestly makes me think of the way I’ve heard rappers talk about taking care of their moms when they get paid, and I think about how this dynamic is different, and I am also grateful to have kids who are capable of gratitude. There is so much beauty and real shit they’ll encounter in their lives, they will need that gratitude.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Swans

Until about a month ago, I had never listened to Swans. I quickly became obsessed with them and started listening to all of their albums. This weekend I finally got to The Glowing Man, and it may be the most transcendent collection of songs I have ever heard. I felt euphoric listening to it as I drove into work this morning. I am so grateful to learn that music can still move me like this, even as I move further into my 40’s. I am also grateful to learn that there is still life-changing art out there to find. I haven’t seen it all. What a gift life is!

Thursday, January 25, 2024

The Sugar

I found out I had diabetes about a month ago when my employer held a free screening event. It probably saved my life, because I would most likely have tried to cowboy my way through the various symptoms I was experiencing until I had a stroke or something. I just took my first dose of medication this morning, and about 30 minutes later I realized I felt significantly better. I almost cried. It’s crazy how we can learn to accept always feeling like shit if the decline is gradual enough. I am happy to be alive, and am grateful for this lesson.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Oh Shit, Here Comes 2024.

Things don’t always go the way I hope they will, but I inevitably learn and grow because of the way things do go. I am grateful for what I have, and what I have is all I want. I am open to this new year.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Thoughts of Allende

My first thought this morning on discovering the demonic force that was Henry Kissinger has been (finally) removed from this Earth was a sense of the inevitability of justice. This thought led to thoughts of Salvador Allende’s final speech to his people as the Kissinger / Nixon backed Pinochet forces closed in on him in Chile: "Workers of my country, I have faith in Chile and its destiny. Other men will overcome this dark and bitter moment when treason seeks to prevail. Keep in mind that, much sooner than later, the great avenues will again be opened through which will pass free men to construct a better society. Long live Chile!” What Allende said is true. All struggling and oppressed people the world over should take this message to heart. It is perhaps best summarized by the famous MLK quote “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice”. For Kissinger (who lived to 100) and aspiring Kissingers the world around, take heed of these old song lyrics: ‘You can run on for a long time, run on for a long time, run on for a long time, but sooner or later God will cut you down”.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Shit

I entered the age range I had previously regarded as ‘adult’, and realized I didn’t know shit. I realized all the people I thought knew shit also didn’t know shit. I saw all of the varieties of blinders and fancies people utilized to protect them from realizing they didn’t know shit, and it horrified me. I am well on into the years of adulthood, and the only shit I know is small, and hard won. It cost me to get what little shit I have found. I am no longer horrified to realize the small amount of shit we collectively or individually know, but am grateful that I still have a little bit of time to add some shit to the pile.

Monday, June 5, 2023

The Story of My Life

I am in love with life, and am entranced by the narrative of my story. I Hope at the end of my story it turns out I was a good guy. I hope I get a clean, happy ending! I hope the same for several other characters in my story. I adore so many of them! May I remember to feel ecstasy over the beauty and joy I swim in every day until the very last sentence has been written.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

My Advice To You

I am 42 years old. Based upon all of my experiences and learnings so far, this is the best advice I can give: Fall in Love and protect it. Protect that love. You have found a fire that looks like God to you: Catch on fire and stay lit. Spread your fire. Spread your love. There are all kinds of winds and waters that seek to put your love out. Grow the flame so it evaporates the water. Use the wind to spread the gospel of your love. Fall in love. Be on fire. Spread the fire. Stay lit. That is my advice.

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Wheels

I appreciate the symmetry of teaching your kid to ride a bike not too long after welcoming them into the world and teaching them how to drive a car not too long before they go out to explore the world on their own. It is poetic.

Monday, April 24, 2023

FUCK TUCKER CARLSON!

It is a strange thing to see working people upset that Tucker Carlson was fired from his job, and somehow comparing it to themselves and their own plight. 1. Tucker will be fine. Financially, he has been more fine than you will ever be since the day he was born. 2. Tucker made a living advocating that bosses should be able to fire people exactly like you, and he believed those bosses should be celebrated for doing so. 3. Tucker wasn’t fired for being a brave truth teller. He was fired because he became a liability to the income stream of the company. If the same thing happened to someone other than himself, Tucker would gleefully celebrate it. Fuck Tucker Carlson. You do more meaningful work in a half hour than that Ivy League, boat shoe wearing twit has done in his whole life. Respect yourself! Don’t mourn the loss of this actual idiot’s fun money stream.

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Rescued

At a certain point it seems like people who rescue a dog should stop referring to them as ‘my rescue dog’. Like, at a certain point shouldn’t it just be ’my dog’? If it’s been ‘my rescue dog’ for several years, it either seems like you’re still milking your good act for some kind of clout, or you’re low key threatening your dog not to get out of line: ‘I rescued you, bitch! Don’t forget it!’

Thursday, April 6, 2023

BEWARE

My neighbor has a sign that reads ‘BEWARE OF THE DOG’, but he has two dogs. My question is, which one of these motherfuckers can’t I trust?

Thursday, March 30, 2023

To Be A Gentleman.

“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn’t”. - Tom Waits This is the only definition for the designation of gentleman that I accept. Also, I am not a gentleman. I can’t play the accordion, but if I could, I would play it constantly and at every opportunity.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Oranges

No matter how bad or weird a mood I’m in, I’m always grateful when someone peels an Orange in my close vacinity. It smells like a deep and calming breath. It smells like life. It’s like God is giving you CPR.

Friday, March 10, 2023

Mitch McConnell

Damn, Mitch McConnell in the hospital after taking a spill at a Washington area hotel. Hang in there big guy. I’m sure they’ll get you pumped full of adrenochrome and back in the sewers biting fairies in half in no time.