Thanks, Gregory! So glad the poem hit. It sprang on me when I was almost done writing this thing, and that's one that doesn't let go. The Welly wind is a THING indeed, one I still haven't got my head around. That bittersweet never-see-again feeling, though--that's a bonus & cost of this life, ain't it?
Thanks, Gregory! So glad the poem hit. It sprang on me when I was almost done writing this thing, and that's one that doesn't let go. The Welly wind is a THING indeed, one I still haven't got my head around. That bittersweet never-see-again feeling, though--that's a bonus & cost of this life, ain't it?
I tried to box you in, but no luck! In fact at one point I had your 'changed me' essay marked as a (gentle) subtweet of Elizabeth's piece, but the loss bit complicated things nicely. You're a Whatever by years out of country but cheerful enough about it to be a Fixie. Ain't these debates fun? Make a big fierce definition, and then luagh about how meaningless they are in the end.
Me, I think I started this piece with my wintry soul leaning a bit Wherever. As a former reporter I learned long ago to learned not to believe anyone selling a fix...But writing this pulled me back towards my own Fixie side. I mean, if you ain't got some Fixie in your heart, why would you leave home in the first place? These are strange days out there. Is it crazy to think our puppy-dog American enthusiasm for making friends with the whole damn world might still be a force for good? Sure, as long as we keep it humble & keep it grounded. Writing helps me do this. Seems to help you, too. We're on almost exactly opposite sides of the globe, but I wish we could haggle it out over beer.
Elizabeth is awesome! I really enjoyed that podcast you two did, especially the bits about language. It's a format you both seem very at home in. More, please. I'm sure Kirsten is lovely. Take that interview, man, and tell her hi from me. We'll be reading & listening!
Dan, I agree with you so often I'm afraid I'll be sore. Yes, there is something genuinely American about the whole Fixie mindset—which is ironic, when you consider that what many of them are promoting is leaving America.
You have convinced me to write a piece about this. Maybe I can have it ready for next Friday (tomorrow it's talking to strangers). We will see. I wish we could have that beer in the meantime!
Thanks, Gregory! So glad the poem hit. It sprang on me when I was almost done writing this thing, and that's one that doesn't let go. The Welly wind is a THING indeed, one I still haven't got my head around. That bittersweet never-see-again feeling, though--that's a bonus & cost of this life, ain't it?
I tried to box you in, but no luck! In fact at one point I had your 'changed me' essay marked as a (gentle) subtweet of Elizabeth's piece, but the loss bit complicated things nicely. You're a Whatever by years out of country but cheerful enough about it to be a Fixie. Ain't these debates fun? Make a big fierce definition, and then luagh about how meaningless they are in the end.
Me, I think I started this piece with my wintry soul leaning a bit Wherever. As a former reporter I learned long ago to learned not to believe anyone selling a fix...But writing this pulled me back towards my own Fixie side. I mean, if you ain't got some Fixie in your heart, why would you leave home in the first place? These are strange days out there. Is it crazy to think our puppy-dog American enthusiasm for making friends with the whole damn world might still be a force for good? Sure, as long as we keep it humble & keep it grounded. Writing helps me do this. Seems to help you, too. We're on almost exactly opposite sides of the globe, but I wish we could haggle it out over beer.
Elizabeth is awesome! I really enjoyed that podcast you two did, especially the bits about language. It's a format you both seem very at home in. More, please. I'm sure Kirsten is lovely. Take that interview, man, and tell her hi from me. We'll be reading & listening!
Dan, I agree with you so often I'm afraid I'll be sore. Yes, there is something genuinely American about the whole Fixie mindset—which is ironic, when you consider that what many of them are promoting is leaving America.
You have convinced me to write a piece about this. Maybe I can have it ready for next Friday (tomorrow it's talking to strangers). We will see. I wish we could have that beer in the meantime!
Hell, American is just a state of mind (and a lot of exclamation marks!) Write on, brother. I want to read it!
Will do!!!!! !!!! !!