Alysa Liu showed us how it works. Just do the thing you’re happy doing for the pure joy of it. Eat your pears, listen to Cab, and keep sending out these lifelines. We need them.
Yeah, I dug her. To let it go and come back to from another angle. To play when everyone else's entire self worth is on the line. I like your prescripton Karen J. I'm gonna grab a D'Anjou, put on Jumpin' Jive and scribble a bit.
Gonna print this one out and reread it every once and while. So many good thoughts in here. Putting language to things I’ve only felt. “I’ve got a meaning habit and all my dealers have left town.” Goddamn. Poetry.
Today would have been Seymour’s (my father’s) 89th birthday, the commencement of his 90th year. At approximately 19.30 est, his second born will be participating in an ayahuasca ceremony in the Hudson Valley. Yep, my brother, it’s definitely time for a re-set.
Next thought ... not 'it's nice to be white', but how fucking nice would it be if 'being white' got cancelled for a change? Or as the man (and woman too) sang "Until the philosophy [...etc ] it's a war." (I am so sick and tired of constantly being dragged into justifying the necessity for war.)
It is. Also adopted the name 'Rooi Volmaan' for some unpublished work (so far). We got a little bit too close to the fire in SA, and decided to leave instead. Guess we decided that another pair of so-called 'white' bodies on the slag heaps of history would make little difference. Choices, choices ...
Hope your 'motel' scenario doesn't materialise. Your voice keeps a lot of people going.
A couple of thoughts for whatever they're worth: Seven years is a good long run with good fortune. I'm happy for you. From what I've read here, you were long over due in some significant respects. While studies on the subject aren't aplenty, those that do exist (I think but am far from an expert) apparently good luck (in recent history) comes in 10 year cycles. So something is heading your way soonish even if you don't disrupt your comfort on your own. Also! For most of the time we humans have been on earth, we had no idea what was happening all over the globe. We're not built to digest everyone's pain and suffering. Being aware of, empathizing with and being of help to those in our orbit is a tall enough order without taking on ICE, Venezuela, Iran, Ukraine, child abuse, domestic abuse, and on and on and on every day or even some days. From an evolutionary standpoint we're not built for it. It's too much for our brain, bodies and hearts. Ergo the overwhelm and inurement (I think that's a word that actually means something else but can't think of another word at the moment.) That said, it sounds like you've had a comfy hibernation and you're ready for spring...to put a spring in your step. You're having the seven year itch. Time to go out and have an affair of some sort. For those of us who haven't enjoyed such a long jag of peace, comfort and fortune in the past seven (10 years), I can only hope my jag is coming soon. As always, few make their thoughts/feelings as viscerally understandable as you Herr Swerdlow. Merci!
Kinda fucked up when you've won this game and all you have to show is guilt.
Maybe there is a reason though. Your awareness holds beautiful wisdom. It might seem too little at scale, but these ripples of love you share here do grow with us readers. To create waves of the compassion of understanding in a world of fear is no small service. Stay well Tommy. It helps everyone.
That's a good thing to here cause I can forget it quick, but you often remind me and I always feel your engagement and generosity. Substack is freaky but its nice to be in dialogue with you (I wonder if I'd feel that way if you didn't say nice shit).
You should come with the pork chops and pie verse and risked it all. One of the great great Bob songs and deeply underappreciated. Now, I'm writing to the guy who had the smoothie not the little picture of your head. It's much better.
Alysa Liu showed us how it works. Just do the thing you’re happy doing for the pure joy of it. Eat your pears, listen to Cab, and keep sending out these lifelines. We need them.
Yeah, I dug her. To let it go and come back to from another angle. To play when everyone else's entire self worth is on the line. I like your prescripton Karen J. I'm gonna grab a D'Anjou, put on Jumpin' Jive and scribble a bit.
“I’ve got a meaning habit and all my dealers have left town” is my favorite line here and beat some stif competition.
I trues your ear RM. You listen with intent.
Schooled hard and early.
trust...you knew... I can't even blame that on my dyslexia.
Gonna print this one out and reread it every once and while. So many good thoughts in here. Putting language to things I’ve only felt. “I’ve got a meaning habit and all my dealers have left town.” Goddamn. Poetry.
Thanks Jane, and for your kinds words on the restack. You have the best picture of anyone around and clearly the heavy wisdom of donkeys.
Goddamn. Poetry indeed. Enough to make me believe in this blue planet, for another few days ...
Today would have been Seymour’s (my father’s) 89th birthday, the commencement of his 90th year. At approximately 19.30 est, his second born will be participating in an ayahuasca ceremony in the Hudson Valley. Yep, my brother, it’s definitely time for a re-set.
Après moi, le déluge. 🤍
That's bold a thing to do wit. Hope Seymour is or isn't watching over depending (talked to Karen, heard the outcome btw).
it feels like you're back
Good. It feels like you're back or at least in the vicinity.
“A Change Is Gonna Come”, white boy. - Sam Cooke, RIP
If I get shot by a woman in motel in LA do not be surprised. Saddened, I hope but surprised.
Next thought ... not 'it's nice to be white', but how fucking nice would it be if 'being white' got cancelled for a change? Or as the man (and woman too) sang "Until the philosophy [...etc ] it's a war." (I am so sick and tired of constantly being dragged into justifying the necessity for war.)
I have finally decided that your first name is Royt. And now I understand everything you say.
It is. Also adopted the name 'Rooi Volmaan' for some unpublished work (so far). We got a little bit too close to the fire in SA, and decided to leave instead. Guess we decided that another pair of so-called 'white' bodies on the slag heaps of history would make little difference. Choices, choices ...
Hope your 'motel' scenario doesn't materialise. Your voice keeps a lot of people going.
Then again you could be Lee Morgan, shot by his paramour at Slug’s in the Far East.
A couple of thoughts for whatever they're worth: Seven years is a good long run with good fortune. I'm happy for you. From what I've read here, you were long over due in some significant respects. While studies on the subject aren't aplenty, those that do exist (I think but am far from an expert) apparently good luck (in recent history) comes in 10 year cycles. So something is heading your way soonish even if you don't disrupt your comfort on your own. Also! For most of the time we humans have been on earth, we had no idea what was happening all over the globe. We're not built to digest everyone's pain and suffering. Being aware of, empathizing with and being of help to those in our orbit is a tall enough order without taking on ICE, Venezuela, Iran, Ukraine, child abuse, domestic abuse, and on and on and on every day or even some days. From an evolutionary standpoint we're not built for it. It's too much for our brain, bodies and hearts. Ergo the overwhelm and inurement (I think that's a word that actually means something else but can't think of another word at the moment.) That said, it sounds like you've had a comfy hibernation and you're ready for spring...to put a spring in your step. You're having the seven year itch. Time to go out and have an affair of some sort. For those of us who haven't enjoyed such a long jag of peace, comfort and fortune in the past seven (10 years), I can only hope my jag is coming soon. As always, few make their thoughts/feelings as viscerally understandable as you Herr Swerdlow. Merci!
I'm glad you catch me viscerally. And I agree, we are not meant for all the world's woes and traumas. Think globally, grieve locally.
Kinda fucked up when you've won this game and all you have to show is guilt.
Maybe there is a reason though. Your awareness holds beautiful wisdom. It might seem too little at scale, but these ripples of love you share here do grow with us readers. To create waves of the compassion of understanding in a world of fear is no small service. Stay well Tommy. It helps everyone.
That's a good thing to here cause I can forget it quick, but you often remind me and I always feel your engagement and generosity. Substack is freaky but its nice to be in dialogue with you (I wonder if I'd feel that way if you didn't say nice shit).
❤️❤️❤️
When the serious word makers take it to emoji land you know they mean it.
This is correct
at least you're a self-aware, privileged white male who doesn't believe it is a given...
At least.
Tapping the strongest vein here, TS. Thanks.
I'm tapping Sauer. Glad you got your eat to the wall.
Your writing ALWAYS MOVES ME. You’re doing something so right
Pattie Lee.
Accord. Both of you.
“The pistols are poppin' and the power is down
I'd like to try somethin' but I'm so far from town
The sun keeps shinin' and the North Wind keeps picking up speed
Gonna forget about myself for a while, gonna go out and see what others need.”
Bob Dylan
You should come with the pork chops and pie verse and risked it all. One of the great great Bob songs and deeply underappreciated. Now, I'm writing to the guy who had the smoothie not the little picture of your head. It's much better.
Haha! Yes! Me! Smoothie! You!
I spent an entire birthday memorizing that song two years ago. Actually, it’s long so it took more than a day, but I did it. Like every verse.
A pleasure to read and it feels inevitable.