One of the reasons I read Chris’s substack is that it is rare to come (🙂) across the shabbier sides of human nature . Collectively we’ve all done shit and it’s good to be reminded. That said, “ hail the king of degeneracy “ .
I like the frenzied sleazy of your describing these sort of affairs. It's a sketchy one this as you, suddenly ditch the earlier characters to persue the more pressing tale. I like the sudden gear shift.
You told this story a while back as I remember the image of the tell tale make up all over you three.
I felt the effect here created as much sympathy for Nick "the sad poverty of his lingering" as for any braggadocio on your part. Your acute awareness of his failings come across a bit callous in this context as the writing's emotional focus seems less on the act and more on the repercussion.
I don't know but it's maybe not so easy to sit with a character that is so resolutely "winning!"
"...no one would dare call us out. They just weren't strong enough." I like the honesty but that's a cold room.
Anyway, I'm probably just jealous as I've been stuck with the guitar bores way, way more than I've ever been this blessed.
It feels like you wanted to write this more than you had to write this. Who wouldn't? It's a fantastic memory but possibly too much of a "win" to not seem a tad indulgent?
A moot point as your descriptive and emotive writing is always a pleasure to read.
I think you describe a very present and pertinent struggle here: our avoidance of the mundane. Avoidance that many of us indulge in, rather than accept. The mundane is a part of our lives and can even be meaningful.
Something about popping round the shop of an evening and the rows of trite, bright Happy Shopper wares that badly wed commerce with necessity. Sleepy evenings in; laughing at the banality of soaps that exchange storylines rather than risk originality. We still watch them though.
People fear the mundane as opposed to accepting it. Drugs and debauchery are our way of trying to escape it. Which is fine; the problem is when you never want to leave. It's why my uncles are sober. If they drink, they disappear for days (I think my grandfather would be described as bipolar nowadays and he passed that trait on, especially to me).
Brilliant , Took me back to the early 90s when i was a raver and tucked into the " pervert powder " for years , The way you describe the smell and taste is perfect it makes me gag just to think about it , i used to bomb mine with plenty of rizlas , But once when i swilled it back in the middle of dance floor in our local club it got caught on my tooth and broke open because of the water , it didnt end well , God it made you horny but i had a few situations never a threes up but lovley girls never the less , But i suffered from " billy willy " possibly the most frustrating moments of my life , Keep them comin mate they are superb :)
Visceral stuff! Enjoyed it! Great flow to your prose and dialogue with an overall cinematic vibe. Can see the screenwriter still flourishing amidst the seasoned scribe. ;-)
That reminds me of my 20's, maybe some sulfate is on the cards again after all! Just saying that I got a chill down my spine and a phantom smell in my olfactory sense's. Maybe not, but thanks for the neurological reminder.
One of the reasons I read Chris’s substack is that it is rare to come (🙂) across the shabbier sides of human nature . Collectively we’ve all done shit and it’s good to be reminded. That said, “ hail the king of degeneracy “ .
I like the frenzied sleazy of your describing these sort of affairs. It's a sketchy one this as you, suddenly ditch the earlier characters to persue the more pressing tale. I like the sudden gear shift.
You told this story a while back as I remember the image of the tell tale make up all over you three.
I felt the effect here created as much sympathy for Nick "the sad poverty of his lingering" as for any braggadocio on your part. Your acute awareness of his failings come across a bit callous in this context as the writing's emotional focus seems less on the act and more on the repercussion.
I don't know but it's maybe not so easy to sit with a character that is so resolutely "winning!"
"...no one would dare call us out. They just weren't strong enough." I like the honesty but that's a cold room.
Anyway, I'm probably just jealous as I've been stuck with the guitar bores way, way more than I've ever been this blessed.
It feels like you wanted to write this more than you had to write this. Who wouldn't? It's a fantastic memory but possibly too much of a "win" to not seem a tad indulgent?
A moot point as your descriptive and emotive writing is always a pleasure to read.
Look forward to more. Gertcha
Spot on Chris ! Dark but true ! Tell is still alive and lives in my block 👍
This is the first time I've ever read one of these things - I generally don't read much anymore, unless it's a comic... I REALLY enjoyed that!
Mrs has signed up and reading some, too.
Reminds me of a mate who slept with his brothers bird on 2 occasions. Sexual draw is a powerful thing , you capture the intensity for pleasure well.
Nice
A picture book of familiar memories and diminished standards, but you do what needs doing, wry smiles, niff mags and horniness.
Another gem. Thanks Chris.
I think you describe a very present and pertinent struggle here: our avoidance of the mundane. Avoidance that many of us indulge in, rather than accept. The mundane is a part of our lives and can even be meaningful.
Something about popping round the shop of an evening and the rows of trite, bright Happy Shopper wares that badly wed commerce with necessity. Sleepy evenings in; laughing at the banality of soaps that exchange storylines rather than risk originality. We still watch them though.
People fear the mundane as opposed to accepting it. Drugs and debauchery are our way of trying to escape it. Which is fine; the problem is when you never want to leave. It's why my uncles are sober. If they drink, they disappear for days (I think my grandfather would be described as bipolar nowadays and he passed that trait on, especially to me).
Brilliant , Took me back to the early 90s when i was a raver and tucked into the " pervert powder " for years , The way you describe the smell and taste is perfect it makes me gag just to think about it , i used to bomb mine with plenty of rizlas , But once when i swilled it back in the middle of dance floor in our local club it got caught on my tooth and broke open because of the water , it didnt end well , God it made you horny but i had a few situations never a threes up but lovley girls never the less , But i suffered from " billy willy " possibly the most frustrating moments of my life , Keep them comin mate they are superb :)
Another Great gritty read Chris. Your a great story teller. Can't wait for more 🙂
Didn't Fonzie have his office in the toilet? He had a phone.
Visceral stuff! Enjoyed it! Great flow to your prose and dialogue with an overall cinematic vibe. Can see the screenwriter still flourishing amidst the seasoned scribe. ;-)
A cracker, was worth the wait. Is the bit about the drug dealer literally living in a toilet true? - insane ha!
That reminds me of my 20's, maybe some sulfate is on the cards again after all! Just saying that I got a chill down my spine and a phantom smell in my olfactory sense's. Maybe not, but thanks for the neurological reminder.