This was a wonderful essay. It touches on a lot of feelings I’ve had ever since graduating college and living independently, namely third places, fast/slow social bonding, and the conditioned “polite ignorance” we project towards each other in public.
But I’m compelled to focus on one point in particular: the re-release of Star Wars Episode III. I, too, had an emotional experience watching it in theatres for the SECOND time… the first being when I was five years old and was so scared that by the end of the movie, I made my mom floor-sit with me in the aisle of the theatre, crying, in case they showed Anakin’s smoldering body again and I needed a quick escape. Safe to say my 25-year-old self stayed in my seat the entire time. It was a proud moment.
Just experienced this yesterday Ben!! We got new badges at work and the line to pick them up was long. Made some nice pals while mutually complaining about the process inefficiencies. Received our badges, rode the elevators up together, then went our separate ways.
good stuff benjamino, social fabric disintegrating does hurt us all and bringing it back is an active choice.
This was a wonderful essay. It touches on a lot of feelings I’ve had ever since graduating college and living independently, namely third places, fast/slow social bonding, and the conditioned “polite ignorance” we project towards each other in public.
But I’m compelled to focus on one point in particular: the re-release of Star Wars Episode III. I, too, had an emotional experience watching it in theatres for the SECOND time… the first being when I was five years old and was so scared that by the end of the movie, I made my mom floor-sit with me in the aisle of the theatre, crying, in case they showed Anakin’s smoldering body again and I needed a quick escape. Safe to say my 25-year-old self stayed in my seat the entire time. It was a proud moment.
Just experienced this yesterday Ben!! We got new badges at work and the line to pick them up was long. Made some nice pals while mutually complaining about the process inefficiencies. Received our badges, rode the elevators up together, then went our separate ways.
I'm so glad you've had the moral conviction to right your wrongs and let us know what your favorite donut is. The hero we need 👏👏
I love how beautifully relatable & comforting your commentary on "temporary friends" is.
Thank you for always being so supportive!