Seeking Validation Makes You Soft

I took a writing class in college and we were tasked to write about a true story. Some guy asked me for feedback on his work. I don’t want to be mean, but his story was about a fucking hike he went on, and how it was hard. After about 1.5 hours of editing I…

Halloween Gone Wild

It’s Halloween, and me, Fiona, along with two other guys go to a club in Hollywood called Club Sinister. I wore cardboard from a Coors Light 30-pack, Fiona was dressed as a kitten, one guy was a blunt (who I later learned was a meth drug dealer), and the other, a hot dog (I don’t…

Washed-Up, Old Hags All Share This Same Quality

I’m at Barnes and Noble with a buddy and am immediately put-off by some dude I see. He looked like a guy who goes to the strip club just for the food. He was wearing a stained wife-beater, basketball shorts with long black socks, and Nike flip flops. I imagine he provoked endless ‘what-are-you-even-doing-here?’ looks….

You Are Surrounded By (Emotional) Vampires

I’m working at a health retreat and I hear a hippie voice approach me. She goes by “Serenity Rose.” She had long brown hair that nearly extended to her knees, a paper thin figure, and, you guessed it – smelled like rose essential oil. Serenity Rose: So Julian, what’s your sign? I know what’s coming…

The Danger In Thinking You’re Special

Avery: I feel like I’m destined to do something great! Me: Cool. What makes you believe that? Avery: I’ve always felt like I’m special. Me: Why would you think that? Avery: Excuse me? Me: You think you’re some gift to the world or something? And in a flash, Avery’s face became flooded with this victimized…

Why You Need to be More Tolerant of Others

I’m at the gym and a friend asks me about deadlift form. Me: I’m not that great at deadlifts, but using a slightly wide stance has worked best for me. Suddenly, some crossfit know-it-all’s head perks up. Crossfit Guy: OH!!! YOU MEAN SUMO! I’m instantly annoyed. What level of Dipshit do you have to be…

Stop Being So Serious

I walk into Starbucks and a man is standing next to a chair I usually sit on. Me: Hi, are you sitting here? Guy: No. He gives me a blank stare and doesn’t move a muscle. Usually someone will pick that up as a social cue to allow that person space to pull out the…

The Key to Fixing A Mistake That Most People Ignore

Self-checkout used to be really popular, and now I know why. It was way too easy to steal, and I would know. I’ve accidentally “stolen” over $100-200 worth of items at self-checkout. And each time it was a complete accident – I never realized I’d stolen something in the first place. I’d gather all of…