Although he thought of himself as a “regular” there, he always had to wait to be seated. One night as the hostess went looking for his table, he snuck a look at the note next to his reservation. It said asshole.

Normally he anticipated this cold black season with dread, but this year it suited him. It was what he deserved. He was locked in for the siege.

The parallel life his father had always sensed, shimmering just out of reach, riding a limitless cusp of possibility that never materialized.

1) infinite entry points for any text, image or situation
2) when the mind’s conception of itself becomes unsafe

She inwardly cherished the same neurotic traits she despised in the rest of her family.

When you see someone you know on the street do you:
1) make contact
2) avoid contact
·
When you’re in front of a mirror, do you:
1) look
2) avoid looking

He had lately been spending as much time as possible in the company of animals. No animal had ever ridiculed him, nor regarded him with pity, scorn, or disappointment. Well, possibly disappointment. He could live with that.

Front view: almost acceptable. Side view: disaster.

Yesterday: the temperature dropped to 97—the 42nd straight day it has topped 90 degrees.
Metropolitan Forecast: Intense heat and humidity will prevail once again across the region. Wednesday will continue hot and humid. Readings near 100 degrees. Thurs, same. Fri, same.
Horoscope: The best of all worlds may be offered to you soon

With age you become invisible to increasing portions of the population; in compensation, you begin to see them more clearly.

You’ve found the perfect pair of glasses,
but you still feel like an asshole.