Oft-repeated statements highlighting the similarities of horror and comedy in terms of their emotional requirements and polarizing nature aside—there is something they have in common. Something only someone who experiences them a lot would know, or, at least, would know intimately. Continue reading
Category Archives: Life
Fuck-Up, Millenial, And Sleep Deprevation
Writers are solitary creatures, but, I am increasingly social lately. And, in my “travels,” I’ve learned the accuracy of an oft-repeated statement: almost no one has their shit together. People may put on a good show, a front of calm and being collected, but everyone is scrambling and panicked—if only a little.
The most common sign of this I hear from people is sleep deprivation. I cannot believe how many of my fellow twenty-somethings sacrifice sleep. Continue reading
Leaning Into The Sterotypes
I am a writer, and with that title comes all these stereotypes about the way I might dress or act. And, while some of these are accurate, some are harmful or untrue. Writers are stereotypically alcoholics, for instance, and that does not apply to me—I barely touch the stuff.
But, then, we get to the other stereotypes, the more neutral ones. The stuff that’s not harmful, and more just a product of popular culture, and, it is here, with these, that I have an interesting relationship. Because, I don’t wear tweed or carry around a paper notebook (I have a phone, after all), and I don’t constantly wear a knapsack or a fedora. But, unlike the bad stereotypes, some of these generalities I feel tempted to adopt, even if they are clichés. Continue reading
Some Ill-Informed Futuristic Predicitons
Who said having in-depth knowledge of something is a necessary step to talking about it? And, yes, that’s satire, but, even if it makes me hypocritical, I’m doing it anyway. Because, it’s a new year, and the technological singularity is a thing that exists and will only exist more: so, I figured I’d go and tally up some technological innovations I expect to come into a more prominent place this year of 2018. Continue reading
Year Two Christmas Collection #1: Most Hopeful Article! “Hey, You, It’ll Be Okay”
(Originally Posted April 19th, 2017.)
“Love yourself.”
I hate platitudes, don’t you? I feel like they bar the ability for someone to communicate actual helpful words. They are rote and glib and sound good as a soundbite, but often already occurred to the asker of help, so are thus useless.
There seems to be an almost universal box of platitudes for every occasion. Continue reading
Year Two Christmas Collection #2: Most Comedic Article! “Is It Over?”
(Originally Posted November 9th, 2016.)
*Brandon peeks up his head from a hiding hole. *
Is it over?
Did the world end yet?
No? Continue reading
Year Two Christmas Collection #3: Most Intellectual Article! “Hitler’s Paintings”
(Originally Posted August 2nd, 2017.)
Did you know that Hitler, yes, that Hitler—history’s greatest monster—was a painter? That he was a creator of art?
It’s a bit of a head fuck.
But, no matter how odd to consider, this fact works as a good starting place for a discussion about something that has been bothering me for a long time. Also, I’m sorry to say, if you are reading this think piece and expecting an answer at the end then you are going to be disappointed. Continue reading
Year Two Christmas Collection #11: Weirdest Personal Article! “Why I Wear A Jacket All The Time”
(Originally Posted Septemeber 13th, 2017.)
I don’t know of many creatives without some odd habits. And, with me, the most prominent and noticeable ones are my night owl tendencies and my relationship with jackets. I’ve talked about the night and my place in it before, but I’ve barely, if at all, discussed my jacket fixation, and I think it’s about time I fix that oversight. Because I goddamn love jackets. If I could comfortably sleep in a jacket I would—and don’t think I haven’t tried. Continue reading
Year Two Christmas Collection #12: Most Personal Article! “I Was Fat”
(Originally posted July 19th, 2017.)
For a good part of my life, I weighed close to 300 pounds. I’m talking when I was a teenager. At the ages when such a thing, regardless of what’s taught and preached, easily marks you.
It got me scorn. Some people, people I didn’t even know, looked at me like I was fucking scum. I’m fortunate enough to know a lot of nice and kind people who didn’t—but yeah, still years of glares and critical eyes. Continue reading
Christmas In Florida
Are you shivering when it’s about sixty degrees? Is it possible to work up a good sweat just by walking outside on Christmas Eve? Do you have no concept of how much it is snowing in other states?
Yes?
Well then, you’re ready for Christmas in Florida. Continue reading
The New Education
It’s no secret among those that know me that I have a bone to pick with the American education system. And the economic system…and how society treats various groups and religions…and well…
We’re getting off topic.
It’s easy enough to criticize those systems, and smarter people than I do that with eloquence and detailed research. So, instead of retreading, I’m writing this for the students stuck in that system. Those of you suffering under it. Continue reading
Simple Joy
There is something to be said about the simple things. The tiny actions and circumstances that inspire joy that perhaps we don’t talk about enough.
And, I’m thankful for my family, my health, my privileges, and all the usual things—but with Thanksgiving coming up super soon, I thought I’d do something a bit more outlandish, and tell you, dear reader, about the more abstract things I am thankful for, and appreciate.
So, yeah, let’s get a tad schmaltzy. Continue reading
IT’S NOT CHRISTMAS YET!
“It’s Christmas time!”
No! It’s not!
Not yet. I love Christmas. I adore Christmas. Holy crap, it’s almost here and I am excited. Family and Christmas specials and shopping (yep, bucking stereotypes, I’m a guy who deeply enjoys going shopping—just not for clothes) and I’m looking forward to every iota of Christmas lights I can get into my eyeballs and on my brain.
BUT I also like Thanksgiving. I find that holiday fun as well. I’m looking forward to that, first. So, just because Halloween is over, does not mean it is winter holiday time yet! Continue reading
My Moral Dillemma With Coffee
Oh, a writer likes caffeine. Oh, big shock. Yeah, that’s not the issue: it’s that I didn’t always like coffee—and, in fact, I consider coffee to be emblematic of a deep issue with modern society. Continue reading
Thoughts From A Serial Carpooler
Cars are not my thing; I don’t drive. Somehow, someway, through a combination of money, massive texting bouts, and the kindness of complete strangers and close friends alike, I’ve traveled in my twenty-two years to some interesting places almost entirely without touching a steering wheel.
Now, this is not to say I don’t wish to drive, but, circumstances too complicated and personal to go into now prevents me from doing so. Which means, for the time being, I am a rider—I am a person in shotgun or the backseat. Continue reading
Coolerbs Writes 