Observations, October: Part 13

I'm writing this after the second presidential debate. This, the town hall debate between Donald Trump, reality television star turned presidential candidate, and Hillary Clinton, former New York Senator and Secretary of State. The debate was painful to watch, and I won't dwell on it here, but I will say that I think our country needs the arts more than ever. We need a Renaissance, a wave of innovation and insight to offset what seems an increasingly uninformed and divided country. We need to grow, not devolve.

A few other observations from this past month:

• This election engages. It engages because it infuriates, much like a bad script. I hope the nation does not condemn itself. I hope those who take the trouble to self-educate and read widely vote. 
• Locker room talk is still talk. This is still a story. It will continue to be a story until November 8th.
• People who go all-out with Halloween decorations are just good and fun people, in general. 
• Westworld is reflecting some scary truths.
• Clowns are just fine. Scary clowns are not. Not all clowns are scary. (Logic!)
• The news today feels like the bad day-time TV of my youth.
• The first few cool days in South Texas are divine.
• Teaching is one thing, teaching well is another.
• There is nothing as gratifying as a good story.
• Marginal utility should be practiced with all food and drink. It just makes sense.
• Loosing the internet at home for an evening can lead to unexpected peace.
• Reading is good for the soul, so check out my new short story, a ghost story: FORTUNE IN SMOKE at SFWP Quarterly.

Ahti watching Westworld

Creativity: Write about or draw a clown who is a hero, a champion of all things good. By doing so, you may write a fantastic short story/create good art and restore balance to the world.  

xoxo

Jen