Can I say something here? I have that same existential crisis every time I see some piece of paint-by-numbers writing go viral on Medium. Drives me batty.
(Sigh)
Can’t effectively speak on Conan because I never saw it without being incredibly high (allegedly, of course).
Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie in the same way, say, White Christmas is. It /is/ a Christmas movie in the sense that people have adopted it as part of their annual rituals/celebrations… in the same way they have with White Christmas.
That is an oddly specific midlife crisis. I was actually talking midlife crises with a co-worker the other day. I feel like the boomers had it a lot easier than our generation. They just bought a sports car, or had an affair with their secretary, or got strung out on mothers little helpers. That sounds so much better than existential dread as the world burns.
I love this line: All writing is a quest for immortality. A chance to spit in death’s face. If a book is a tombstone, a newsletter is the equivalent of scribbling on a bathroom stall: ‘Eric waz here.’
That hit hard. Because you're 100% right.
I love Sebastian Junger's work. His book, Tribe, is one of my favorites. Given your train of thought lately, you might also like "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" -- I finished that book last month and it really shook things up for me, even with my being a death doula. Seeing the average lifespan quantified like that made me think about how I want to spend what time I have left. Spoiler, I probably have more weeks behind me than ahead.
In the fiction category, have you tried the Riyria Revelations series by Michael Sullivan? Such a great story with unforgettable characters.
Funny you mention Four Thousand Weeks. I picked that up in 2023. Still haven't read it! I think I'll bump it up my TBR given your recommendation. But let's not bury the lede here... death doula? How does that work? Do you sit with the dying? Is it a spiritual thing, or more about physical comfort? If you wrote about this, just drop a link and tell me to shut up. :D
I've read a couple of Sullivan's novels. He's quite good! I read the original trilogy. Need to see what else he's published.
Yes, death doulas sit with the dying, usually at home or in hospice. After I received my doula training I also start visiting nursing homes with my therapy dog. This is all part of my volunteer work - it gets lonely at the end, and I like to connect with people, especially if they don't have anyone else.
It's definitely mostly personal expression and being creative. That's why I write. But I also want the work to matter, hence all the soul-searching. None of this will stop me from writing jokes about Star Wars. :D
Rewatching a movie 100 times is allowed. After that questions should be asked. You might ask, "Should I watch it again?" and that answer could be yes, but you should ask it at the least. And I'm sure you've read it, but if you haven't and are looking for a great novel "Project Hail Mary" would be right up your alley and it's so so good.
Funny because the "Martian" lent itself to film pretty easily off the page. Hail Mary will be harder. But if they get it right it's going to be epic. But I don't envy the director who takes that on.
I am not answering any of your questions, because they don't tax my brain.
I am thinking you dwell in the past via your entertainment choices.
Try some newer stuff--
Dune I and Ii, Conclave, for instance. (This is coming from a Star Wars freak BTW) I am glad to see you away from death's door while asking for prayers and cookies.
Try Tate's Chocolate Chip with walnuts if no bakery is nearby.
But what I really came here to say is that your library visit gave me chills. This piece you wrote took me there and it was sad and beautiful.
Can I say something here? I have that same existential crisis every time I see some piece of paint-by-numbers writing go viral on Medium. Drives me batty.
(Sigh)
Can’t effectively speak on Conan because I never saw it without being incredibly high (allegedly, of course).
Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie in the same way, say, White Christmas is. It /is/ a Christmas movie in the sense that people have adopted it as part of their annual rituals/celebrations… in the same way they have with White Christmas.
It’s the same as the people who are huge on Substack, for writing about writing on Substack. 😖
That is an oddly specific midlife crisis. I was actually talking midlife crises with a co-worker the other day. I feel like the boomers had it a lot easier than our generation. They just bought a sports car, or had an affair with their secretary, or got strung out on mothers little helpers. That sounds so much better than existential dread as the world burns.
💯
I love this line: All writing is a quest for immortality. A chance to spit in death’s face. If a book is a tombstone, a newsletter is the equivalent of scribbling on a bathroom stall: ‘Eric waz here.’
That hit hard. Because you're 100% right.
I love Sebastian Junger's work. His book, Tribe, is one of my favorites. Given your train of thought lately, you might also like "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" -- I finished that book last month and it really shook things up for me, even with my being a death doula. Seeing the average lifespan quantified like that made me think about how I want to spend what time I have left. Spoiler, I probably have more weeks behind me than ahead.
In the fiction category, have you tried the Riyria Revelations series by Michael Sullivan? Such a great story with unforgettable characters.
Funny you mention Four Thousand Weeks. I picked that up in 2023. Still haven't read it! I think I'll bump it up my TBR given your recommendation. But let's not bury the lede here... death doula? How does that work? Do you sit with the dying? Is it a spiritual thing, or more about physical comfort? If you wrote about this, just drop a link and tell me to shut up. :D
I've read a couple of Sullivan's novels. He's quite good! I read the original trilogy. Need to see what else he's published.
I wrote a bit about it here: https://sunnysiderecipes.substack.com/p/what-is-a-legacy-cookbook
Yes, death doulas sit with the dying, usually at home or in hospice. After I received my doula training I also start visiting nursing homes with my therapy dog. This is all part of my volunteer work - it gets lonely at the end, and I like to connect with people, especially if they don't have anyone else.
I had always assumed writing stuff down was just another form of personal expression.
The immortality thing - …surely not… 🦾🤖maybe I'm taking this literally.
It's definitely mostly personal expression and being creative. That's why I write. But I also want the work to matter, hence all the soul-searching. None of this will stop me from writing jokes about Star Wars. :D
Glad to hear it ✌️
Rewatching a movie 100 times is allowed. After that questions should be asked. You might ask, "Should I watch it again?" and that answer could be yes, but you should ask it at the least. And I'm sure you've read it, but if you haven't and are looking for a great novel "Project Hail Mary" would be right up your alley and it's so so good.
Project Hail Mary is incredible! Can't wait for the film. Hope they do the story justice.
Funny because the "Martian" lent itself to film pretty easily off the page. Hail Mary will be harder. But if they get it right it's going to be epic. But I don't envy the director who takes that on.
spin off?
Dune Prophecy, the new show on HBO
Glad you cleared that up - I thought you were talking about the rice guy.
Rice guy? Who's that. 😆
That Junger book is amazing! Read it first, if you’re like me it’ll take like two days it’s that good. And I’m a slow reader.
I am not answering any of your questions, because they don't tax my brain.
I am thinking you dwell in the past via your entertainment choices.
Try some newer stuff--
Dune I and Ii, Conclave, for instance. (This is coming from a Star Wars freak BTW) I am glad to see you away from death's door while asking for prayers and cookies.
Try Tate's Chocolate Chip with walnuts if no bakery is nearby.
But what I really came here to say is that your library visit gave me chills. This piece you wrote took me there and it was sad and beautiful.
More, please.
Thanks Linda! I loved both Dune movies, haven't started the spin-off yet.