A year older, not much wiser.
He’s just the same
as all the rest:
He’s not the worst,
He’s not the best.
–Pink Floyd, A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Category: Personal
Poetry Interval: Straightening Up
Straightening Up
He’s not quite sure what normal’s like
But he thought he would give it a try
The quest to be healthy is quite a hike
When he’s used to just getting by
But he’s exorcising the various demons
Clearing out his multiple neuroses
And trying to acquire a free man’s
Life without pills or doctors’ diagnoses
He’s learned a few things pushing fifty
It’s really about time that he did so
Being a happy, healthy guy could be nifty
It’s never too late to settle down and grow
/b
7/19/18
Declaration of Independence
This entry is a little long, so the short version is this: the people–especially the bullies–we encounter in our youth can greatly affect our confidence and our thinking years after we are free of them. I’ve had enough of that sort of foolishness, and this is my long-delayed, Declaration of Independence: I’ve had enough of you, and you are no longer going to live rent-free in my head. Continue reading “Declaration of Independence”
Movie Review: Solo: A Star Wars Story
As has become my habit in the new Star Wars era, I went to see Solo: A Star Wars Story the morning after it opened. The big difference this year was that I had the lady friend along as well. Rather than write a spoiler-free review of the movie now, then one with spoilers later, I’ll cover them both. If you haven’t seen the movie and don’t want a lot of details about the fates of various characters or who ends up doing what to whom, you can skip that part when it comes up. I’m friendly that way. Continue reading “Movie Review: Solo: A Star Wars Story”
Movie Review: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi
I decided to take on both of these films simultaneously because I didn’t have much to say when the first sequel came out. I wanted to see where the writers would go with it. Having now seen The Last Jedi and (unlike some of my friends) enjoyed it, I thought I’d share the thoughts of a 41-year fan. Fair warning: Major plot spoilers ahead. If you haven’t seen either film yet and plan to, you might want to punt on reading this blog. Continue reading “Movie Review: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi”
Why I Write Fiction
From time to time I mention that I have written or am writing fiction (usually of the science fictional variety), yet I never have said works published. One might wonder, if I have some skill as a writer, why I have not tried to get my work into print for others to see. I had cause to examine that very question this week. I’ll share some of those thoughts now. Continue reading “Why I Write Fiction”
Letter to My Younger Self
Currently reading What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self as part of my nonfiction book’s competitive research. The book is on my list because my blog has been a lot of advice I wish I’d gotten when I was a younger person (and, ideally, been willing to listen). The letter I’m writing here is for a much younger Bart, the kid who hit rock-bottom emotionally when he was 12 or 13 years old and wanted to die rather than go back to school and face his peers. Continue reading “Letter to My Younger Self”
