—WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT MOVIE?

 

…Here’s something I find myself saying to myself a lot lately that I know you never do: Don’t be a dick.

 

…I don’t know if a Weather Whore is really a thing or not, but I actually do know one.

 

…I’m probably not the person you want to be talking to right now, though I’m usually a really nice person and a keen listener.

 

…People who can navigate this stuff and go about their day happily like it’s all good—well, I have an incredible amount of admiration for them. I’m not kidding.

 

--You’re in General.

--I’m sorry, what’s that?

--You shouldn’t be here, in this line. You’re not allowed.

--I’m sorry, but what do you mean?

--You don’t have TSA.

--Oh, yeah, No. actually, I do.

--You don’t.

--Yeah, I do. See, it says it right here on the screen, bottom left-hand corner of my phone. See that there? It says TSA Pre-Check.

--But it’s not valid.

--I‘m confused.

--Sir, there’s a line here.

--I know. I’ve been standing in it for 45 minutes.

--You need to step out.

--But what? Why? How is my ticket not valid if it’s printed right there?

--Step aside, Sir. 

--I’m not trying to make a fuss, honestly, but I just really don’t understand.

--Sir, the line.

--I know there's a line

--Sir.

--Again, I don't understand. Help me understand. You and I are looking at the exact same thing right now where it says I have TSA Pre-Check.

--You need to go talk to your airline about it.

--I’m right here. You have my I.D. You have my ticket. Can’t you just let me through? 

--Sir.

--But, I don't get it. I just told you, I’ve been waiting in line for 45 minutes. Can’t you just please look again? It’s right there.

--You have to go see your airline.

--Wait, come on, are you kidding me?

--You need to go see your airline.

--Are you Fucking kidding me right now?

--Sir, I am not kidding you.

 

...Oh, boy.

 

--So, your shoes, is there something inside them?

--Huh?

--We’re going to need you to step aside, over here, on that marker. Take off your shoes.

--Why? My shoes weigh less than half a pound. They’d probably float in a tub.

--Sir, over here. Stand right there and spread wide.

--Over here where, and why?

--Spread your legs.

--What? Why?

--I’m going to need to do a full groin and buttock examination of you. Are you okay with that?

--Actually, No. I’m not okay with that at all.

--Do you want me to call my superior? 

--Superior? What's that? What the hell are you talking about?

--Sir, do you want to be difficult, or do you want to spread your legs? 

--What?

--Do you understand English, Sir? 

--What?

--Spread your legs.

--This is crazy. Isn't this America?

--No, wider. Spread your legs wider. 

 

…Just because I’m struggling right now, doesn’t mean you have to struggle, too.

 

…I’m really bad at Head’s up. Shocker, I know.

 

…All I have left is a shower. It feels fulfilling, but also kind of like symbolism.

 

…Do I really have a “Bits 4” file? That’s, like, 700 pages of this kind of endless gibberish. 

 

…I think you forgot about me again. It’s okay though. I know you’re super busy.

 

…Who told you that?

 

…It’s okay. I’m all right. Don’t I look okay?

 

--You look like hell.

 

…But is it supposed to hurt like this?

 

…Here’s a really good idea—Go to Fucking bed.

 

…Green can mean a lot of things.

 

…A lot of times it depends where you’re at, what happened before, and what you’re expecting to happen next.

 

…It’s better if I lie, instead of telling you what I’m thinking. 

 

…Apparently there’s no heart monitor in the mail, so I guess I’m okay with that. Let’s just walk it out all the way home. What'd you say?

 

…Yeah, I know it’s stupid, but I just got to see it for myself.

 

…If you think Tylenol is bad for children, just wait until you find about guns.

 

…I’m all messed up. I’m so out of line.

 

…A lot of times, when I’m talking to one of my kids and they insert the label “Dad” into the conversation, I have to remind myself that I am one.

 

…If you can’t win, do your best to root for someone else.

 

…“Often, I write a poem as a way to hold on—and be able to return—to a feeling or experience that would otherwise slip past and away in the busyness of life. Like I once heard someone say, a poem is a way of stepping into the same river twice.” Matthew Thorburn

 

…There have been at least 324 mass shootings – defined as when at least four people are shot, not including the shooter – in the US as of September 29th this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

And yet. Mexico is dangerous.

 

…If you’re not going to show up, you should at least do the courteous thing and let me know.

 

…It’s hard to watch someone you love destroy their life and not be able to do anything about it.

 

…Dropping the word “complicated” into conversation as an answer to a question seems lazy and manipulative. Can’t you just spell things out?

 

…One of the problems is I’m a lot more fragile than you.

 

…Sometimes it takes a lot of courage to take care of yourself.

 

…Think I’ll play some music right now and fly away.

 

…Don’t be stupid. Keep it short.

 

…What am I dreaming about here? Maybe you could tell me.