Emmy Night

Happy Emmy night! Here's another piece of the novel, edited down as to make some sense. Thanks so much for reading!

People start to drink in earnest, and I hold a glass full of margarita, allowing myself to enjoy the salt rim. I read somewhere that Dean Martin often held a martini glass full of water in the interest of keeping up the appearance of a good time. Despite such an uber cool precedent, pretending to get plastered felt like a real drag. Alcohol itself provides false merriment at times and the pretend version should be listed as one of Dante’s infamous circles.

I ease myself into a folding chair in the corner, acting as if I’m engrossed in the snack buffet which consisted of the usual college party far -- queso made from Velveeta and Rotel tomatoes in a crock-pot, guacamole, chips, and a few stray pigs in a blanket. Nary an organic snack in sigh which makes me relax a bit. Nothing gives me the willies like an heirloom tomato.

“So here you are,” Shane says, sitting down next to me. He’s wearing a Social Distortion t-shirt he wore in high school for our heavy metal photo shoots. He seems so unchanged from that time. I feel changed, beyond repair. As Hank says, It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.

Michelle's Spell of the Day
"Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard." Anne Sexton

Cocktail Hour
Give me your opinions on the Emmy dresses -- you too can be Joan Rivers. I kid, as Krusty the Klown says. I kid because I love.

Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Sunday! Thanks to the anonymous commenter for the Coetze recommendation -- I love Disgrace. And Dave, I am also looking forward to Detroit 187.