Chapters (21)
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Table of Contents
- Bright Young Things campus of Clarkwell College, graduation in the town of Clarksville, somewhere upstate, 1990
- Cool Days open mike night at Kafka-fe, after band "2 Much" plays, 1991
- New on the Scene utside in front of Club Hush, for a film screening party of Kill Fee, 1993 o
- Single in the City at a French bistro, 1995
- Hangover brunch, the morning after, 1995
- Natural Health a chance meeting at Jasper’s Yoga Studio, 1996
- The Fat Flush ’90s in the foyer of a friend’s renovated brownstone, 1997
- Art Stars at Bonwyck Gallery, 1998
- Inner Odyssey the Burning Man festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, 1999
- Life After Death facedown in the dirt of the desert, next morning, 1999
- Loyal Companions catching up at the dog run, 2000 catching up at the dog run, 2000
- In the Real World a run-in at the ShopShape magazine launch party sponsored by Senor Strawberry Liqueur, early 2001
- Wartime spotted at Kinko's, late 2001
- Office Job in the cafeteria of the Conde Nast building, 2003
- Settling a yard sale on an obscure block in the outer borough, 2003
- Starting Over in a remote village tavern on the farmlands of New Zealand, 2004
- Epilogue a gathering of friends
And Sheila's amazing new business! Oh God, remember Sheila? Oh. Of course you know her. I just forgot, because she had a hard time remembering you the other day. I just saw her at a little small get-together at Sam's. We were all having a small party for Jacob for his new album, just a circle of close friends together showing support. It was secretly to thank Sheila for getting Jacob's career rolling so long ago.
Oh! Remember how Sheila wanted us to invest in her dumb idea—you know, some rack that would hold postcards? I know you said it sounded like a scam. Ya big cynic! Well she was laughing about that because that "scam" now happens to be those MAX RACKS that are EVERYWHERE! You know, those postcard racks that are in like every bar and restaurant? Hello! Now she's richer than Barry Diller or whatever. And, actually when your name came up the other day, she remembered you eventually and how you called it a scam and she laughed about it. She uses that story as part of a motivational speech she gives to mentally frustrated people, about how you should never be discouraged no matter what people say. Anyway, she said to say "hi" to you. I told her about your little . . . your times . . . your projects.
Greta was there. Single again, looking GREAT. It's weird she just sort of bounced off of being so in a couple to being single without a problem really. I mean you and Carl were so much younger when you broke up so it was a different thing. More affecting.
Isn't that right, Breaker? You are the hottest dog in the world. Yes you are! The most gorgeous, hottest, Top Model-looks dog in the whole wide world, yes you are! Yes you are!
So how's the job hunt? Ugh, what a difficult time to find work, much less do something fulfilling. Please let me know if I can do anything, 'kay? Actually, my friend Adam is writing an extensive article for the New Yorker about all that. He's calling it "Generation Jobless." You should get in touch with him. Maybe it would be good to articulate how you are feeling.
I will totally keep an eye out for you, though. Have you ever thought about being an assistant for museum security? Or a eater-waiter? That may be something for you to look into. I hear since the smoking ban, a lot of people are making money by selling single cigarettes on the street in front of bars. I'm not saying you should do that, I just meant that there are opportunities right under your nose. You never know. Anyway, good luck!
Breaker! Breaker! Here, boy! We have to go! Time for our two-hour uphill power hike and then Doggie Yoga!
See you soon, OK?
In the Real World a run-in at the ShopShape magazine launch party sponsored by Senor Strawberry Liqueur, early 2001
In the Real World