Day 1,173, Quasi-Quarantine: Drifting Trio Searches California Desert For Meaning In "Generation X"

 

"Our systems had stopped working, jammed with the odor of copy machines, Wite-Out, the smell of bond paper, and the endless stress of pointless jobs done grudgingly to little applause. We had compulsions that made us confuse shopping with creativity, to take downers and assume that merely renting a video on a Saturday night was enough. But now that we live here in the desert, things are much, much better."

Douglas Coupland's poignant look at cultural listlessness in the late 1980s and early 1990s is hilarious and relatable. "Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture" documents three friends who try to find their identities on the edge of the California desert, trading stories instead of revealing their true feelings.

"'Either our lives become stories, or there's just no way to get through them.'

"I agree. Dag agrees. We know that this is why the three of us left our lives behind us and came to the desert -- to tell stories and to make our own lives worthwhile tales in the process."

The trio purposely takes jobs below their stations, tending bar or working at cosmetics counters -- as much for material as subsistence. The three come from disconnected families and seek to forge a new family together as they experience random vandalizing, mind-numbing parties, misunderstood love, and unattainable happiness.

"Two days before Christmas, Palm Springs Airport is crammed with cranberry-skinned tourists and geeky scalped marines all heading home for their annual doses of slammed doors, righteously abandoned meals, and the traditional family psychodramas."

Coupland has created a memorable novel that aptly captures the zeitgest of its generation, with accompanying definitions and social commentary that are purely hysterical. "Generation X" is a fun, revealing ride that resonates strongly with those of us who are members.

"She chirped away, making all sorts of plans. Tobias merely listened in at the other end like a restaurant patron being lengthily informed of the day's specials -- mahimahi, flounder, swordfish -- all of which he knew right from the start he didn't want."

Day 1,172, Quasi-Quarantine: "The Office" Is Found In The "City Of Fire"

It's been jarring to watch "City on Fire" without being distracted by how much the 'bag husband in the show looks like Ryan Howard from "The Office."

Actor Ashley Zukerman -- performing as the adroitly-'baggy-named Keith Lamplighter -- is a dead ringer for Ryan's B.J. Novak. So much so that I spend much of "City on Fire" waiting for Keith to pull a scam on Kelly Kapoor in Central Park.

Run your game, Temp.

Limerick Friday #585: Just Out Here Breaking Arms Patting Our Own Backs -- Day 1,168

While coworkers slum it

Morale does plummet

But oh,  when it's event time

Watch everyone claw and climb

To be included atop the summit

Their breath they did catch

With a good stretch

But back to form

Mediocrity the norm

The Metsies make me wanna retch

Such a rock star, fam

Super impressed, I am

You killed it, I'm sure

Kudos and plaudits and more

Way to rock that doing-your-job jam

Back on the bubble

For State, that always spells trouble

A pre-emptive "F the NCAA"

To cap ACC Tournament day

Trying to find hope amidst the rubble

Please do not pass go

On a TV unicorn, that's so

A wholesome tale

Resonated without fail

Bracing for a farewell to "Ted Lasso"

Last time ...

Day 1,167 , Quasi-Quarantine: It's The Most Performative Time Of The Year

 

'Tis the season for people breaking their ankles trying to step over everyone else to take credit for an event that is seen as successful solely on the basis that it happened rather than whether it worked.

Day 1,166, Quasi-Quarantine: North Dakota, Sexual Identity, Family Meaning Clash In "Boys and Oil"

 

"I wanted to find a story where a little gay boy could fit into the world he came from, rather than running to find a way to escape the prairie of his childhood."

Taylor Brorby's story of growing up closeted on the harsh and unforgiving North Dakota terrain -- and what happens when he exposes who he really is to those elements -- is part autobiography and part ecological dissertation.

"Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land" weaves mileposts of the author's maturation with vignettes of his relationship with his land and his family -- which are often the same thing. 

As Brorby deals with a sense of dislocation by roaming the country looking for a home and a mission, North Dakota keeps drawing him back. His efforts to reconcile what he loves and fears about the state are at times heartbreaking and admirable.

"Spare emotions fester in a landscape where the only way capitalism has made sense of the American West is to fence it in, break it into 160-acre parcels, frack, mine, dam, and cut it to a stubble."

The competing tales of identity and activism are occasionally at odds, and the writing can feel overwrought at times, but the overall effect is worthwhile. "Boys and Oil" is an emotional look at how the ways in which we define family can impact our choices and paths.

"Like a grain of sand pushed by the current, my life has meandered, slowly shifted farther downstream, where it inches toward a new beginning as I continue to search for the deep current, to find the place where I am meant to be."

Day 1,165, Quasi-Quarantine: Had It Right, Yoda Did, Usual As

 

This is so relatable it's like I woke up on Dagobah.

Day 1,164, Quasi-Quarantine: I'm Just Here For The Trophy

 

As soon as you think you're out, they drag you back in ...

This season, I elected to focus on being a Dad instead of a coach. Cheering for my kid instead of getting caught up in the swirl of emotion that surrounds kid sports felt like the right choice based on the trials of recent seasons.

Welp, that lasted a few weeks. I was called on to help the Bengals complete an undefeated season with a couple of playoff games. After a couple of tense moments, we took home the trophy.

A great group of kids -- and some silent parents -- made it a really fun and rewarding experience. 

Go Bengals!

Limerick Friday #584: "Barry" Barrels Toward A Frantic Finale -- Day 1,161

 

Things are getting hairy

And more than a little scary

Humor dissipating

As tension's escalating

In this stellar wind-down to "Barry"

The scandal was gagged

But a transcript flagged

UNC courses rejected

Now Caleb Love is dejected

And the Cheater label is re-tagged

He was sick

But they needed his stick

So he homered thrice

And threw up twice

The Polar Bear's legend is thick

Michigan was paying attention

And told UNC with condescension

"This is a juco class

"How did you even pass?"

But locally, not a mention

Hanging by a thread

Postseason hopes nearly dead

This is baseball at State

Our yearly fandom fate

Optimism mixed with existential dread

Last time ...

Day 1,160, Quasi-Quarantine: A Polar Bear Provides Hope

It's dangerous to call anything a turning point. So I'll just call it hope.

LFGM.

Day 1,159, Quasi-Quarantine: "The Trees" Morphs From Racial Ghost Story To Absurdist Mysticism

 

"Goddamnit, I hate murder more than just about anything," said Sheriff Red Jetty. "It can just ruin a day."

Performing a master class in satirical horror, Percival Everett manages to combine dark humor and dark history in the captivating "The Trees." Making Emmett Till the main character was a stroke of brilliance by an author at his very best.

"How long does it take you to pee?"

"A couple of minutes. I come back out and a couple of wasi'chu was on fire. That's when I realized something was wrong."

"Yeah, people on fire is a red flag."

Powered by short chapters and rapid-fire dialogue, the novel advances at a frantic pace, weaving a tale of a Mississippi town that could never -- and never tried to -- escape its brutal past. "The Trees" somehow blends comedy and gruesomeness in a way that largely works, with a pervasive message about the effect of naming.

"Dill looked back over his shoulder to see if anyone was in earshot. "Crazier than a one-winged fly."

"That's very poetic," Jim said.

"I was a creative writing major at Auburn. Poetry. I always wanted to be a Beat poet. Wrong generation. Now I stick dead people in drawers. I suppose it's the same thing once you get down to it."

The Guardian characterized the book as a "reverse minstrel show," while the NPR pointed out the "absurdist touches," but Everett's Southern-noir-ish work does not fit easily into any genre. There were moments when I felt a tension in the balance between hilarity and gravity, combined with a series of grammatical mistakes, compromised some of the impact of "The Trees."

"You're going to mess around and get yourself shot," Ed said once they were on the street. "She could have some crazy-ass husband or boyfriend. You know, a stupid redneck with a gun."

"That's redundant."

In the end, however, this read was instructive and insightful, touching and hysterical, difficult to read and impossible to put down. For a book that defies genre, these are achievements in and of themselves.

"He still had a badge and a gun but could barely wipe his own ass. He smelled of shit, Aqua Velva, and pimento cheese."

Day 1,158, Quasi-Quarantine: Trying To Find The Metsiest Low Point Possible

If you were seeking to sum up New York's season to date, you could do a lot worse than this paragraph:

"The Mets submitted their version of an Aristocrats joke in a 10-3 loss to the Nationals in Monday’s series finale. They had a runner picked off first with the bases loaded. They miscommunicated in the outfield to turn a fly ball into a triple. They were fooled by a Little League first-and-third stolen base. Their pitching staff mustered one zero in eight tries all day. They’ve now gone 52 offensive innings without a home run."

A round of pony kegs for Tim Britton, who is among the beat writers forced to watch this epic disaster unfold on a daily basis. The point where all of this could be blamed on a litany of injuries has past, unfortunately; when Buck Showalter is out of answers, you know you're in trouble.

Day 1,154, Quasi-Quarantine: Combos Are Better For Snacking Than Backcourts

 

Your reaction when you learn that NC State signed an actual true point guard in the transfer portal.

I'm gonna need a minute.

Day 1,153, Quasi-Quarantine: Claustrophobic, Mesmerizing "Silo" Off To An Engrossing Start

Apple TV+ looks to have continued its run of stellar programming with the addition of "Silo."

Based on a series of novels by author Hugh Howey, this dystopian show appears be an absorbing blend of "Lost" and "The Handmaid's Tale." I can't wait to see how future episodes handle the dawning reality that an entire society is being held captive underground for dubious reasons.

Good on ya, Apple TV+. Keep 'em coming.

Day 1,152, Quasi-Quarantine: "How To Write Short" Is A Digestible And Instructive Primer On Brevity

 

"A good short writer must be a disciplined cutter, not just of clutter, but of language that would be useful if she had more space. How, what, and when to cut in the interest of brevity, focus, and precision must preoccupy the mind of every good short writer."

Full of strong examples and better recommendations, "How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times" is an essential read for writers seeking to hone their skills across a number of disciplines.

"Begin the story as close to the end as possible."

Defining short writing as 300 words or less, Roy Peter Clark favors short chapters with tasks at the end of each. In so doing, the author makes his work both accessible and actionable -- prized attributes in any writing resource.

"A time-starved culture bloated with information hungers for the lean, clean, simple, and direct."

Day 1,151, Quasi-Quarantine: Celebrating Scott Hutchison, Five Years On

Five years ago, Scott Hutchison took his own life. The musical genius behind Frightened Rabbit, Owl John, and Mastersystem had a highly publicized relationship with depression, and his transparency in that battle shone through all of his songs.

His brother and bandmate, Grant Hutchison, shared this Instagram post today, and he continues to shine a light on Scott and depression through is work with Tiny Changes.

Some lyrics from "400 Bones" stick with me today as I've seen them roll across the socials. Cheers to you, Scott.

“On absent days I will return to this place

And play a silent colour film within my head ...”

[Scott and Frightened Rabbit are often overlooked for their roles in the musical universe, so finding this loving tribute to him this morning on Boing Boing was moving.]

Limerick Friday #583: It's Getting Late Early For The Metsies -- Day 1,147

Can't hit a stitch

But neither can we pitch

A Detroit sweep

Makes me wanna weep

Being a Mets fan is a real bitch

Hitting all the chords

Appeasing all the hordes

"Ted Lasso" final season

Great beyond reason

Almost too good for words

Every loss at the end

Sends the season 'round the bend

State has a good team

But can't find any steam

Is there enough time to mend?

A franchise too good to be true

Itself it does consistently outdo

"Star Wars Visions" the latest

So I salute the greatest

And May the Fourth be with you

Still they moan and cry

And plead to the sky

Hey, if you have the work blues

I've got great news

There's a million companies to try

Last time ...

Day 1,146, Quasi-Quarantine: Marte Struggles Could Signal Need To Shake Up The Lineup

So leaving spring training with half of your pitching staff injured is not ideal. Not knowing who will be available to start a game and having to call up starters from Triple-A just before games and sending them back afterwards is suboptimal.

That being said, the Mets offense has been part of the problem during an uneven start. New York is in the middle of the pack in home runs (34), but that's largely due to Pete Alonso crushing 11 already. The team is 12th in the league in runs (141), which is making it nearly impossible for the Mets to overcome massive injury problems in the early part of the campaign.

One of the most alarming early-season trends has been the falloff of outfielder Sterling Marte. A key catalyst last season, the 34-year-old Marte had multiple groin surgeries (ouch) in the offseason and appears to be aging quickly. In almost 100 at-bats this year, he is hitting .227 with only five extra-base hits and is also struggling in the field.

To give Marte more team to heal in hopes of helping him find his stride, New York may need to start platooning him and adjusting his role in the batting order. Moving him out of the two-hole may take some pressure off of him and give other, hotter bats a chance to jumpstart the Mets attack.

Here's how a couple of options might look:

AGAINST RIGHTHANDERS

Brandon Nimmo, CF

Jeff McNeill, RF

Pete Alonso, 1B

Francisco Lindor, SS

Brett Baty, 3B

Daniel Vogelbach, DH

Mark Canha, LF

Francisco Alvarez, C

Luis Guillorme, 2B

Moving McNeill from second base to right field gets Guillorme on the field more and allows New York to start six lefties. Switching the order of Alonso and Lindor could give the former extra at-bats with men on and alleviate some pressure off Lindor, who has been prone to extended slumps. Baty is starting to hit like a witch, so putting him in the fifth spot moves down Vogelbach -- who, let's face it, just tries to walk these days -- and strengthens the bottom third of the order by pushing down Canha and Alvarez.

AGAINST LEFTHANDERS

Brandon Nimmo, CF

Mark Canha, LF

Pete Alonso, 1B

Francisco Lindor, SS

Sterling Marte, RF

Jeff McNeill, 2B

Eduardo Escobar, DH

Francisco Alvarez, C

Brett Baty, 3B

I'm of the mind that Baty needs to be an everyday player at this point, so this configuration still allows Escobar to play a significant role. I could also see Escobar and Tommy Pham rotating as the DH against righties based on who has the hot bat. I'm less inclined to insist that Alvarez catches every day, as I feel Tomas Nido brings a lot to the team as well. I'm not sold on Canha in the second spot, but I believe his ability to draw walks and get drilled by pitches pairs nicely with Nimmo at the top of the order. In this scenario, Marte hits fifth, but could move down the order a bit more if his slump is indicative of a longer-term concern.

There are no easy answers here. The Mets consciously ignored the offense while restructuring its pitching staff in the offseason, and the team is still feeling the effects of not finalizing the Carlos Correa deal. However, I do think tinkering with the batting order could be enough to jolt the offense back to life.

Obviously, Buck Showalter knows best. But hovering near .500 as we sneak into May is an indication that experimentation should be on the table.

Day 1,145, Quasi-Quarantine: "The Revivalists" Is A Frantic, Promising Book With A Slight Identity Crisis

 

"'What did you do?' I asked. 'When everything fell apart?'

"'I don't know, man,' she said. 'Did everything fall apart? How together was it to begin with?'"

Propelled by plausible apocalyptic scenarios and a frantic pace, "The Revivalists" imagines a pandemic that has wiped out 60-70% of the world's population. 

When a couple that struggles to communicate and has a weird, stilted dynamic crosses the country to try to rescue their daughter from an end-of-days cult, they encounter a variety of predictable and emotional obstacles.

"Actually, it was one of my favorite feelings: driving a car while someone I loved fell asleep beside me, in my care. Life was almost never that simple."

Christopher M. Hood has created a book that can't quite decide what it wants to be, resulting in a work that is missing something ineffable. The glue that should hold together a number of very promising pieces does not have the right stickiness in "The Revivalists," though the dynamics involved and the future presented merit witness in this quick read.

"All the mindfulness techniques I'd taught seemed irrelevant -- how could I caution against catastrophizing in the midst of catastrophe?"

Day 1,144, Quasi-Quarantine: Dog Humor. Yes.

 

I giggled way far out of whack for the actual comedy factor, but it struck a chord.

Day 1,143, Quasi-Quarantine: Wes Anderson Takes On The "Star Wars" Universe

Recently viewing "Return of the Jedi" again in the theater as part of a 40th anniversary celebration made me appreciate this interpretation even more.

And I fully admit that Scarlett Johansson as Princess Leia might have buckled my knees a bit.