Comments for Mental Graffiti

Comment on I may not know where I’m going, but I know all too well where I’ve been by Kevin Brownstein

Kevin Brownstein — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:26:58 +0000

Hey Danny, even though these are some rough grafs the very act of spitting them out is a step in the right direction. For what its worth, sometime in the past year I moved my yearbooks and had a good laugh reading the inscriptions–but it struck me that (and I wont remember exactly what you wrote) you must have been the only one that knew I was deep in the process of taking a massive eighth grade bite on some ’80s plotlines and writing what (of course) turned out to be an unfinished novella–which you complimented and encouraged. Well, the comment lasted a hell of a lot longer than my memory of actually writing the piece did, but it reinforced my memory of you as a really good natured, sensitive kid who was never that down with our dabbling in Advanced Sarcasm.
Any advice you get here is really secondary to the posting of your feelings in the first place. But I will offer this–I was asked once after a career change how I was doing and whether I was happy and I gave the most honest answer I could think of—-”I’m doing well–I finally turned into the douchebag I always wanted to be.” Good luck, Amigo!

Comment on I may not know where I’m going, but I know all too well where I’ve been by Violetta

Violetta — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:38:13 +0000

I really respect the honesty you’ve shown here, and the courage it’s taking to look at yourself clearly and be forthright about what you see. That requires humility, which most people–successful or not–don’t have. So bravo, you already do have something special going on.

Can I tell you my story? I feel I can relate to many of the things you say. Growing up in an abusive family, I too had trust and betrayal issues–still do. I’ve struggled with comparing myself to others, noticing their jobs and husbands and happiness, and wondering why I couldn’t have them. Though I felt less envy, and more despair. In my mid-twenties, I felt like a royal f**k-up, like a sub-human. I struggled constantly to prove to myself that I wasn’t inherently evil, as I’d been raised to believe.

Then I got sick. Really, really sick. Now I have a condition that will be with me for life. And I got it from pushing myself too hard and wearing myself out physically, trying to make up through effort what I felt I lacked in inherent value. The illness forced me out of that lifelong mental bullshit and into the first self-respect and self-care I’d ever given myself. Into my first real happiness.

But everyday I remember, when I take that thyroid pill, that my own beliefs were what robbed me of perfect health…and that my beliefs are actually the only thing in this world I had complete control over.

You’ve had a health scare. The best thing to do is let go and allow it to change you deeply. It doesn’t matter what’s worked or not worked in the past–this might be the time they DO work.

This was your shot across the bow. You don’t get many, before the real thing hits. Best make the changes now. Don’t just notice it, and then soldier on in negativity mode. You will hurt yourself badly. I’m only saying this as a friend that made that mistake.

Hugs to you, as always.

Comment on I may not know where I’m going, but I know all too well where I’ve been by Glen Gibson

Glen Gibson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:31:10 +0000

Hey Daniel,

I wish I were one of the saints in your life that you would have referred to, but our time together was so long ago and so brief and I was incapable of seeing beyond myself for so many years, often because I didn’t think I would be ok either. I felt it important all the same to tell you have much I appreciated your blog today. Without knowing it, you have helped me through a rough time I’ve been having myself. I can relate to the reality of witnessing my own self destruction and the bitterness of living a life of comparison. I am really grateful that you are honest in your struggles. It makes me and I’m sure others feel like they are not alone in their struggles. I am still a mess even though I have grown and matured through years of hardship. Don’t trust the external view of people, I think we are all a mess and the only hope we have in this world is honesty we might find in safe friendships.

Comment on I may not know where I’m going, but I know all too well where I’ve been by Amy

Amy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:02:45 +0000

It’s always easier for people looking in to tell you what to do and how to do it. Good for you for taking steps forward on your own terms.

Comment on Culinary Challenge #1: Cooking the “vile weed.” by Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:24:26 +0000

This is possibly the coolest challenge ever. I tip my hat to your bravery. haha.

Comment on Allow me to cook you a story… by Culinary Challenge #1: Cooking the “vile weed.”

Culinary Challenge #1: Cooking the “vile weed.” — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:18:34 +0000

[...] guys. A few posts ago, I mentioned that a viewing of The Meryl Streep/Amy Adams film Julie & Julia had inspired [...]

Comment on Music that needs your attention – The Frames by Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:14:33 +0000

This isn’t my type of music, but I always appreciate great musicians. The movie was really good. I’m glad you brought it yesterday.

Comment on There’s a panic on the streets of London… by Kurosawa Fan

Kurosawa Fan — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:48:44 +0000

Love the hat. Now all you need is a scarf and a jersey!

Comment on Should our favorite books be turned into films? by Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:50:45 +0000

I think the reason “The Green Mile” and “The Shawshank Redemption” both worked as adaptations were because the source material was shorter. Novellas don’t have the bloat of the epic novels that Hollywood seems to enjoy sinking their teeth into, so its less to worry about leaving out or cramming in. I do agree, though.

“Green Mile” was fantastically done.

Comment on Should our favorite books be turned into films? by Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:34:55 +0000

I agree with pretty much everything you said about The Princess Bride, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I preferred the Jurassic Park film to the book, but we’ve already discussed how the very idea of science makes my brain shut down, so I am incapable of reading Crichton.

I would also add The Green Mile as an incredible adaptation of a novel. It was so perfect, and I honestly like both the movie and the book equally. I haven’t quite finished The Dark Tower series yet, but if they turn it into a film (rumor is it’s going to be a mini-series right?) and ruin that series I will rage. Stephen King created such an incredible world, and I’d hate to see it represented poorly.