On Stars (and the price to see them) – A Review
It’s hard to see starlight in Brooklyn. Overcast skies and city lights make for a poor lens between you and the cosmos. There are moments of course, where when bleary eyed with sleep and walking the long way home you get lucky. When the clouds part, and for some reason, a string of gems start to dimly glitter above you. Like half plugged in Christmas lights, you only have moments to appreciate it, as sooner rather than later, the cord will be yanked out by a stray foot or rogue animal.
But, for the low price of $150 and the risk of exposure to deadly disease, you too can charter a flight to where the stars do shine.
Hi, it’s been a while.
You’ve got to forgive me. When I’m rusty, I tend to get pretentious. In case you’ve forgotten due to neglect or time, it’s me, Connor. The guy who used to write things here regularly. Who then took hiatus after hiatus because he was “busy” and trying to “save the world,” or, if we can be more accurate, at the very least, “trying to make a positive difference in the immediate world around him.”
I would consider that quest successful, but also for it to be marked as only a small whetting of the appetite. It is done, finished, kaput. Zösky. But I am not done, finished, kaput. Zösky.
I am instead constantly humming the song “California,” and obsessed with discerning what my next move will be.
The song, “California,” is of course by Phantom Planet. Made popular globally by its use in the syndicated TV teen drama: The O.C. (2003-2007). While I never watched the show, I never was able to rid my brain of the melodic hums of the song’s 2000s era post grunge, whiney, killers-esque aesthetic.
The song fits within the oeuvre of other artists like Gavin DeGraw, or Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Producers of summer anthems meant to evoke feelings of loneliness and nostalgia.
Songs have a funny way of hitting me and pushing me into rabbit holes. Did you know the the drummer of Phantom Planet was Jason Schwartzman? The actor known for his consistent roles in Wes Anderson films. He was the star opposite Bill Murray in Rushmore, for example.
Weird stuff.
Anyway, like I said, rusty.
Most of my free time has been dedicated to me launching a new project that I’m kind of doing just for myself. It’s a challenge of sorts, I’m giving myself 31 days to learn a skill and then documenting it all online. It’s on YouTube here if you haven’t seen it. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD9qXoqdd82TQWHAK2Wu5d1Th5Qpxpkvv
Why? Well. For whatever reason, I decided, hey, you should do some more stuff on top of job applications, moving, and all that writing you swear you’re doing.
Moving? Yes! Moving! You know what that means! Probably some real sappy nostalgia ridden blogs that start as drafts on the back of an airport napkin. This is a temporary sojourn from New York to wherever I end up next. California to… I’m not sure. Wherever they’re in need of a guy who writes like this. Or, you know, somewhere that wants a competent editor with over eight years of experience and marketing chops to boot 😉.
But yes. I am flying home. Scary right now, but it seems like NY airports are doing decent screenings and are extremely careful. It is a risk, but, it’s either that or the streets, and if I’m going to sleep outside, I’d like to at least be able to see the stars.
That’s a joke of course. I’m not destitute. Just making shrewd financial decisions for once in my life.
Thanks for reading. Appreciate you for coming back despite these lengthy gaps. Hope you’re doing well, don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re not. Take care, and hopefully I’ll have the emotional wherewithal to write more soon.
-Connor
