Remerciements et Splendeur

As far as I can tell, the McConaissance is thriving and l-i-v-i-n-g. These performances are gorgeously complicated, riveting, nuanced. What a wonderful time to be alive.

Listening to Kendrick’s poetic justice while re-reading Wordsworth’s comments on poetic diction in his preface to “Lyrical Ballads.”

Bert stole Mimi/Andy's phone to snap some selfies, and I stole the selfies from Mimi/Andy.

Texas Toast croutons are meant to be eaten alone, as a snack food. 

Some of us have souls comprised of one matching key and lock, like a comically large luggage security set, barely sealed and barely organized among other souls in a gallon- size Ziploc bag. Others have souls directly intertwined with that of another, in the form of twin cobras resting in a sturdy cardboard box, volatile and risky if released, due to the possibility of them sinking their teeth into other vessels. But at the end of the day we are all fluctuating between fret and relief, together, emerging from the dusky dungeon of the family cruise ship where these crucial manifestations of self are stored.

That time I won my first award for writing and took a slanted picture of the announcement outside of the English Department's office. 

Page 60-61 of the online copy (52-53 of the physical copy).

I found it in my mailbox before stepping out for class, thinking I wouldn't have any mail. I was wrong. I did have mail. Then, I couldn't even wait until I got to class to open it. I couldn't. I was that guy, the one who multitasks while reading and inevitably is dangerous to both herself and those around her. Put simply, I didn't care--I was happy! 

South Carolina 2013: Southern drawls, okra and biscuits and potato products and fried things called "vegetables", a dash to the home of sweet tea resulting in not sweet tea, but two personal pound cakes (score), beaches in winter, dog friendly everywhere, water all around, ten, twenty, twenty-five hour car rides with Lobo on the CD player, wonderful family time with grits on the side.

Yesterday, I had just finished my last final and wanted to treat myself. Just a few minutes into the first video, this happened. There were no outlets. This should be a Greek Tragedy.

I mean, damn.

FIRMLY GRASP IT