CREATION COMICS

One of the giant questions we all face is why we’re here. This is no trivial matter since the ultimate purpose of life gives us our sense of direction, and an inaccurate answer can lead us far astray.

Some of us get a bye on the question with the ready-made answer that God plopped us here. But even for those lucky enough to believe in one Almighty Creator or another, this answer really isn’t an answer at all since it begs the question of why in God’s name God would do such a thing.

KATE & JACK COMICS

First of all, it’s important to say that I am blessed with one of the worst possible TV memories. I can happily rewatch things I’ve already seen, over and over again for the first time.

While I didn’t remember most of the details of what happened on LOST, my general impression was that the first seasons were terrific fun, but then it became deeply confused and finally flat-out fraudulent.

In the last of its six seasons, I remember my wife and I looking at each other in horror when they announced that there were only three episodes left. Both of…

Working on speculation, or spec as they say in the biz, is a shorthand way of saying that no one actually needs me or cares if I exist.

When I write a book, it starts with a sketch dummy that I create without anyone having asked for it. I have no idea if someone is going to like it or want to publish it. It’s just me, alone at my desk, sweating the details, hoping that it, and I, will eventually find approval and acceptance.

CONTEMPLATION COMICS

I would be hard-pressed to find a worse distraction than writing. Even meditation is better. Yes, you read that right. Sitting quietly, alone, with nothing at all to take my mind off my mind, still provides a better distraction from my fears, doubts, and grief than trying to write.

Coffee and pastries work great, but only until they are gone which is always too soon. Sometimes, a sugar stupor can lay me out for a nap which is quite effective for fifteen or twenty blissful minutes, albeit decidedly unproductive.

COGNITION COMICS

I was already well into my twenties when I learned how critical the first years of life are. And how screwing them up, as I already had, would have lifelong consequences for my brain development, emotional stability, and baseline central nervous system functioning.

DISCOMFORT COMICS

I used to be very successful at blocking out other people’s pain. I’d hear stories on the news or TV and marvel at those around me who would seem to react to the plight of strangers as if they were dear friends. Why did they care, I’d wonder. Was it just a performance to prove how much more empathetic they?

COVID COMICS

My wife and I have had both of our shots now and we’re slowly starting to make plans. It’s exciting. I can actually imagine this shit storm passing, and finally, it feels like a safe time to look back.

The nightmare kicked off with a blur of new concepts and terminology.

This Is Us

I can’t shake the feeling that no one really cares for me. I worry that everyone I know is just tolerating me until I go away or eventually die. This may or may not be true, but wherever I go, I can’t escape the feeling.

It’s possible that what I’m feeling isn’t completely personal to me. It may just be run-of-the-mill, normalized indifference in a world that has grown increasingly distant and isolated. I can’t really tell.