RIP

I bought a microwave at a mini-mall; I bought a mini-van at a mega-store. I eat fast-food in the slow lane. I’m toll-free, bite-sized, ready-to-wear and I come in all sizes. A fully-equipped, factory-authorized, hospital-tested, clinically-proven, scientifically- formulated medical miracle. I’ve been pre-wash, pre-cooked, pre-heated, pre-screened, pre-approved, pre-packaged, post-dated, freeze-dried, double-wrapped, vacuum-packed and, I have an unlimited broadband capacity.

Pure Altruism

Is living in New York City really changing me that much? I feel myself becoming more cynical -- and not in the funny, sarcastic type of way -- but the "look at these fucking people. Fucking assholes" Louis CK type of way.

This frightens me.

But I don't think I'm all that bad. I cried when I went to see In The Heights. I still cry when I watch Stepmom. And I think baby animals are cute -- even the conventionally deemed "ugly ones." There's still some kindheartedness left in me. Some.

Example: Candace just sent me this gchat message:
Candace: this old lady almost fell in my office!
My first reaction? Laughter. Second? Concern. Third? Realization that my concern was somewhat forced. Fourth? Convincing myself that it wasn't. Fifth? Apathy. I could have avoided four whole other reactions/emotions and just stuck with the fifth.

This has less to do with altruism and whether or not I think it exists and more to do with my maturity...which, at this point to me, seems somewhat regressive.

Authenticity is invaluable. Originality is nonexistent.

Truer words have never been spoken.

I'm no Hemingway...

What Mr. Hemingway can teach us about effective writing...

1. Use short sentences.

Hemingway was famous for a terse minimalist style of writing that dispensed with flowery adjectives and got straight to the point. In short, Hemingway wrote with simple genius.

Perhaps his finest demonstration of short sentence prowess was when he was challenged to tell an entire story in only 6 words:

For sale: baby shoes, never used.

2. Use short first paragraphs.

See opening.

3. Use vigorous English.

Here’s David Garfinkel’s take on this one:

It’s muscular, forceful. Vigorous English comes from passion, focus and intention. It’s the difference between putting in a good effort and TRYING to move a boulder… and actually sweating, grunting, straining your muscles to the point of exhaustion… and MOVING the freaking thing!

4. Be positive, not negative.

Since Hemingway wasn’t the cheeriest guy in the world, what does he mean by be positive? Basically, you should say what something is rather than what it isn’t.

This is what Michel Fortin calls using up words:

By stating what something isn’t can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way. If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you’ll still focus on the word “pain” in “painless.”

• Instead of saying “inexpensive,” say “economical,”
• Instead of saying “this procedure is painless,” say “there’s little discomfort” or “it’s relatively comfortable,”
• And instead of saying “this software is error-free” or “foolproof,” say “this software is consistent” or “stable.”

Why Not

i love love

Nothing about you has faded. You are still the color of my blood. You are my blood. When I look in the mirror it's not my own face I see. Your body is twice. Once you once me. Can I be sure which is which

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvz0R0KX_E4

RJD2 - Let There Be Horns