on nostalgia.
I’m going to come right out and say it: I have not had a good year. Not just 2012, but the past 12 months of my life have been … turbulent. (Speaking in euphemisms here, people.) Anyway, after a not particularly good day, I need to thank the Awl for making me laugh so loud, and so hard, that it put the first smile on my face for the day.
Fast forwarding over the bleakness, I was doing a lot of interweb surfing today, and came across a very heartwarming article about one of my childhood favorites, Pete & Pete. Part of what was so wonderful about the show was its dedication to its very self-accepting quirks. 1
In stark contrast to the very self-accepting, not so complicated world of the sitcom, today is also what would have been David Foster Wallace’s 50th birthday. So, pretty much adding more bleak upon my pile of bleakness. While I was watching an interesting interview with him via Slate, I clicked on a link to the Awl’s page of 46 things to read on DFW’s birthday.
Lo and behold, I saw the MOST AWKWARD PHOTO OF JONATHAN FRANZEN I’VE EVER LAID EYES ON:
And that, ladies and gentlemen, made today worth it. Thanks, Charlie Rose.
Remember that time I was super awkward when you signed my book? Payback. Franzenfreude!2
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1. Please come back, mid-90s (Cf. the Franzen photo).
2. I am a huge fan of Mr. Franzen. Even though I’m sure he hates me for saying “New Jersey Transit is for lovers” as a joke when we were talking about his trip to Princeton. That was literally the look he gave me.
