Matt wrote an amazing profile of Roger Stone, maybe for the Weekly Standard?, years before the Trump phenomenon. I looked for a link to share with everyone, but could not come across one. If I remember correctly, the profile focused on Stone’s STRONG views on proper men’s fashion, his notion that winning takes precedence over considerations about rules and ethics, and his Nixon tattoo!
And here I was thinking I led a pretty cool life. You continue to amaze as you allow us to look into your soul. You found the "good" in the crazies that most if not any other writer would have burned alive just to make their editors happy. You find connections to their souls allowing them to really be themselves. We through your writings connect with them and their faults. Sitting at the white tableclothed tables at Antoine's. Walking the darkened side side streets of the Quarter where only those in the know tread. You have brought those characters that most of us only read or hear about on 60 Minutes into our lives at arguably thier vulnerable moments. You are the best.
Matt, you and your newsletter are who I want to be when I grow up, which I now know based on your Wikipedia page is approximately 9 years from my age today. I also want my Wikipedia page and Newsletter to don the quality of pull quotes that yours does, noting that while I do have a newsletter, I do not have a Wikipedia page, so I also want to have one of those. I’ll start writing it now.
Awesome Matt, you knew some really interesting people and you can't get much better than that...I am also sorry for your losses....while still knowing they made a difference in your life and that also matters...and the memories...
You didn't actually profile me, and I am not a larger-than-life person...but, should I be concerned about my early demise?...lol
Takes a pretty fair hand to write a piece about death and fill it with so much life. Heard that grief / tax / attachment quote somewhere before. Pretty good assessment of things.
OK you're sucking me in here. Between that bluebird piece (which made me mist up despite my being a misanthropic old bitch) and this latest, which I read despite being crazy busy at my hateful day job. You're making a compelling case for spending more money subscribing to good writing (I refuse to call what you do "content."). Keep it up...
TWS was not part of my media diet when it still existed, so I only knew your writing from the few odd bits I'd sampled here and there. But I have to say I feel like I've missed out. This and the Bluebird riff are both uniquely moving, for instance, because they make me appreciative of more of the things in God and/or Nature's creation--even respectful words about the scamps and rogues. There's just so much more heart in this than in the shallow and inflamed tribalistic invective that seems so overwhelming in instant media at every turn these day. So: thanks a lot for this!
Every piece you write includes something that can be a good pull quote, like this: “ And sometimes, the greatest act of friendship one can pay to another is to preserve each other’s fictions. Or at least to not press too hard for the ugly truth.”
Great essay. Made me think of a couple of larger than life characters I have known who are no longer with us. Thanks for sharing.
Matt wrote an amazing profile of Roger Stone, maybe for the Weekly Standard?, years before the Trump phenomenon. I looked for a link to share with everyone, but could not come across one. If I remember correctly, the profile focused on Stone’s STRONG views on proper men’s fashion, his notion that winning takes precedence over considerations about rules and ethics, and his Nixon tattoo!
Thanks, Mackinder. Here's the piece you're referring to: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/weekly-standard/roger-stone-political-animal-15381
That was a hoot of a read. I never really heard of Roger Stone until Trump. What a character.
My God, what an amazing essay. Thank you.
Is it a bad thing that I didn't have to look up coprophageous?
I felt guilty, too...
You clearly have skeletons.
And here I was thinking I led a pretty cool life. You continue to amaze as you allow us to look into your soul. You found the "good" in the crazies that most if not any other writer would have burned alive just to make their editors happy. You find connections to their souls allowing them to really be themselves. We through your writings connect with them and their faults. Sitting at the white tableclothed tables at Antoine's. Walking the darkened side side streets of the Quarter where only those in the know tread. You have brought those characters that most of us only read or hear about on 60 Minutes into our lives at arguably thier vulnerable moments. You are the best.
Matt, you and your newsletter are who I want to be when I grow up, which I now know based on your Wikipedia page is approximately 9 years from my age today. I also want my Wikipedia page and Newsletter to don the quality of pull quotes that yours does, noting that while I do have a newsletter, I do not have a Wikipedia page, so I also want to have one of those. I’ll start writing it now.
The last time you say Christopher Hitchens before he died you invited him to become a Christian. Wow.
You’ve got some good stories about some larger-than-life characters. Thank you for sharing some of them with us. I’m sorry for your losses.
Humor is one of the only ways we can navigate death.
Awesome Matt, you knew some really interesting people and you can't get much better than that...I am also sorry for your losses....while still knowing they made a difference in your life and that also matters...and the memories...
You didn't actually profile me, and I am not a larger-than-life person...but, should I be concerned about my early demise?...lol
I don't want to spook you. Just stay indoors is all I'm saying........
teehee
I do love a sense of humor and you have that in spades...lol
Takes a pretty fair hand to write a piece about death and fill it with so much life. Heard that grief / tax / attachment quote somewhere before. Pretty good assessment of things.
I remember all those pieces. And met Hitch and Barry. Very sad and very beautiful. Nice job.
OK you're sucking me in here. Between that bluebird piece (which made me mist up despite my being a misanthropic old bitch) and this latest, which I read despite being crazy busy at my hateful day job. You're making a compelling case for spending more money subscribing to good writing (I refuse to call what you do "content."). Keep it up...
TWS was not part of my media diet when it still existed, so I only knew your writing from the few odd bits I'd sampled here and there. But I have to say I feel like I've missed out. This and the Bluebird riff are both uniquely moving, for instance, because they make me appreciative of more of the things in God and/or Nature's creation--even respectful words about the scamps and rogues. There's just so much more heart in this than in the shallow and inflamed tribalistic invective that seems so overwhelming in instant media at every turn these day. So: thanks a lot for this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFV2-7cgRo4
Speaking my language, Chopper. Thanks.
Thanks Matt for another engaging read. "Grief is the tax we pay for attachments". How true. I really look forward to the merch store grand opening.
We're also working on getting some Slack Tide Capri pants for men. Will let you know when they're in, Christine, for the man in your life.
What about cargo shorts?
I like the extra pockets myself. But the kids tell me they're out. So maybe we'll go with banana hammocks.
So, no man knows his time. Best to be prepared to meet our Maker.
Every piece you write includes something that can be a good pull quote, like this: “ And sometimes, the greatest act of friendship one can pay to another is to preserve each other’s fictions. Or at least to not press too hard for the ugly truth.”