writing

the title still remains a mystery

I am unsure of whether or not I have ever mentioned this man on this blog. I do know that I have lent his books out (and not yet gotten them back….) and recommended them to people for reading because I know certain individuals, Riley especially, would really enjoy his content, writing and overall demeanor. He has been one of my favorite writers since eighth grade and I have been seeking him out since. The summer before I went to college I had the pleasure of seeing Chuck Klosterman in person in a Philadelphia Borders Books, hearing him read, and even talked to him (but not enough.) He signed my hard copy of Killing Yourself To Live: 85% A True Story with the sentiment “Sarah, Stay Alive- Chuck Klosterman.” Hopefully he will stumble upon this and go on a book tour again so I can rightfully make lots of conversation with him.

Famous for Sex, Drugs and Coco Puffs, CK has been chronicling popular culture, media, and its history for almost a decade. Born in Minnesota and having grown up in rural North Dakota he was fired from SPIN for reasons I am still unsure of, writes occasionally for the New York Times Magazine, had a column in Esquire and contributes to ESPN. His latest book that I literally finished less than ten minutes ago is called Eating the Dinosaur. After having finished it I can still say that I still have no idea why it is called that. But I can say it is probably some of the most interesting writing of his and is creeping to become my new favorite. It is an almost-sort-of grown-up-yet immature philosophy about everything you never thought you cared about, or knew existed. Klosterman writes about why time travel is a meaningless conversation. It helped me realize that the only time I will talk about time travel in the future is to address its complete silliness, tell people about said silliness and maybe pull out some theoretical questions (which he is hilariously famous for.)

Basically is what I am trying to say is you should be reading his writing. All of it. Particularly you Riley. I will gladly lend some books out if only they are returned. As a writer and reader I know that any unconventional form of writing (like CK) is motivational. Mainly, writing is motivational, so why not share?

17kreider.gray.480 Some of the best writing comes in the rarest of forms. And since the blog-o-sphere is overlooked by so many, I figured that I would point something out to you.

Since my home is the Op-Ed page, my main man is the Op-Ed blogs. After discovering a favorite at the end of it’s run (it was whatever an “experimental blog” is…running for only a few months.) It was called “Proof” and it was American writers who wrote about (sometimes their own) problems with alcohol and alcoholism in America ( and American writing). Fascinating to me, I was sad to see it go. But check out that link.

Happy Days is yet another favorite of mine. Out of all the blogs, I send this one to people the most. It usually has the most inspiring words of wisdom, for lack of a better phrase, and again- it proves me right. The most recent writing on this one is about comparing yourself to peers to gauge happiness. It is inspiring to read because it makes you aware of your own jealousies, wants and realities. I mean, we all do it. Comparing yourself to a peer comes with the first time a test is returned to you in grade school, to personal fitness, knowledge, family interactions, rules, clothes, money, beings, all of it. Mostly, it is something that we do without even thinking about it- a natural human occurrence. I have never read something that made me so aware of other people’s comparisons before. This piece makes me want to take a personal self action to better myself for me, not for the benefit of others.

So while you read this (and take in the almost inappropriately hilarious wit and writing) think about what this means for you.

Thacant

klosterman- the man of my dreams

think about it.

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