[Seth Says] Who Gives A Damocles?
Q: Why don't theatre companies ever stage the story of Damocles?
A: Too much overhead.
I was originally going to title this week's newsletter "MF DOOMscrolling", but I realize most of you are probably not MF DOOM fans, whereas I have it on good authority (completely random assumptions made by me, the ultimate authority in this newsletter)(I’m a petty fief) that most of you are familiar with the Sword of Damocles. (Because my readership is a cut above.)
Either way, that's the general mood here, too much doom and too many evenings scrolling through it, even though I know EXACTLY how I get sucked into doomscrolling and how to stop it:
Doomscrolling happens in the liminal space where you're unwilling to commit to either productivity or leisure. The best way to solve it is simply to commit -- if it's not a time when you can convince yourself to be productive, then you should invest yourself in enjoyable leisure. That could be a cup of hot cocoa and a good book/movie/game, or whatever other way you can commit to enjoying some relaxation time.
Boom! Doomscrolling solved. At least, temporarily.
REVENGE OF DOOMSCROLL
The problem is, even when I solve that, sometimes I'll find myself doing the same thing again the following night, and have to remind myself, "Hey, you're trapped in the liminal doomscroll zone, go do SOMETHING." Spoiler: I'm writing this newsletter because I just caught myself starting to doomscroll.
It's tricky to avoid. Even when I managed to stop myself from doomscrolling late at night, I found myself in a conversation with my parents just lamenting the world until my partner told me, "Hey, stop verbally doomscrolling," which is 100% what I was doing, and is not super-conducive to a feeling of peace and tranquility.
And sure, neither is the world, but Tuesday will arrive and votes will be tallied, and since I've already voted (and if you haven't, please do soon!), all I can really do is hope. Well, that's not true. I can also
ABRUPT TOPIC CHANGE!
So, Halloween happened, a holiday I used to love because free candy was the best thing ever as a kid. Now that I can afford my own candy, I appreciate Halloween because it's the one night a year many people are actually willing to wear a mask.
I realize Halloween is already over, (in no way a given; I often do not know what day it is)(It's All Hallow's Morrow!)(also, neither hallow nor morrow look like words any more)(I had some bad empty bone smores, it was a Harrowing Hollow Marrow Mallow on Hallow's Morrow)(as if there were such a thing as good empty bone smores), but in case you need completely unusable costume ideas for next year, this week's column is
Halloween Costume Corner 2024
Longtime readers may recall that the discredited Bear and Bandolier Barn was itself a replacement sponsor for the problematic Puppy and Wicker Emporium. But I won't saddle you with more history when I'm sure you're champing at the bit to move on. It has been very dry here; a distinct lack of rein.
LAST BUT NOT LEASHED
My speeches are off the chain, yo! I continue to really enjoy writing celebratory event speeches for clients, as a way to add more positivity and goodwill (for money, natch) to a world that sorely needs it. Just finished another wedding speech last week and have a birthday speech this week, and it continues to fill me with joy when I can really connect with someone and help them put all their ideas into words in the best way to celebrate the people they love.
Possibly weird as a job for an antisocial hermit, but what can I say, it really suits me. And that's all the news from Lake Damocles. Thanks for reading, back in two weeks with another column, and if I eat any smores I'll calmly post them on social media.
Your Mellow Mallow Fellow Follow,
Seth