So as the guy who wrote the guest post today, I should first off thank my beloved Zuük for occasionally giving one of these old pieces an airing out. Otherwise they just gather internet dust somewhere, becoming less and less attached to the contemporary timeline. I am grateful.
BUT, in this instance, having just re-read it, I do feel compelled to call out one of those things that you occasionally encounter when you write stuff, which is that there are a couple of things in this that I admittedly did write then, but probably wouldn't write now. In basic terms the whole thing strikes me now as having a little bit of stale machismo to it, something I'd like to think I would steer clear of today. Maybe it's just the moment of history that we're living through, but describing the daiquiri as "strawberry gender identity" strikes me now as kind of a cheap shot. I'd make the same comment about the ass-less chaps and the Village People reference, but then the Village People just played Trumps inauguration, so I guess?
Anyway, my only point being that through a 2025 lens, while it's an authentic slice of the weird life I was living then, that one bit doesn't reflect the kind of ally that I try to be now, and I gotta own that. And in more tactical terms, it's just a little lazy. Stumbling on a hoary trope like that takes something away from a piece that I otherwise like. Is that even how you write it? Is it "an" hoary trope?
Good to be reminded though. Maybe a lesson could be that it feels tired when you're writing it, it probably is. In which case it isn't going to be less tired 5, 6, 10 years down the road. Neither are we.
Well that's just it. I feel like I left a lot on the table here. I mean, if the writing prompt is to give all the reasons why I might not be excited about a dimpled plastic cup filled with the rapidly-melting outflow of an insalubrious slushy maker that's been churning since time immemorial behind the bar of a third-tier, central Florida business hotel, that should be plenty to work with. Those are literary grounds, rich and fecund. So if all I came up with in the moment was a couple of lazy swipes at the supposed femininity of pink drinks, you know...lost opportunity.
Incidentally I’m at an airport bar right now and the woman seated next to me (at said bar) just answered her phone with an exasperated, “I’m DRIVING! What do you need!?” Ah, travel…
So as the guy who wrote the guest post today, I should first off thank my beloved Zuük for occasionally giving one of these old pieces an airing out. Otherwise they just gather internet dust somewhere, becoming less and less attached to the contemporary timeline. I am grateful.
BUT, in this instance, having just re-read it, I do feel compelled to call out one of those things that you occasionally encounter when you write stuff, which is that there are a couple of things in this that I admittedly did write then, but probably wouldn't write now. In basic terms the whole thing strikes me now as having a little bit of stale machismo to it, something I'd like to think I would steer clear of today. Maybe it's just the moment of history that we're living through, but describing the daiquiri as "strawberry gender identity" strikes me now as kind of a cheap shot. I'd make the same comment about the ass-less chaps and the Village People reference, but then the Village People just played Trumps inauguration, so I guess?
Anyway, my only point being that through a 2025 lens, while it's an authentic slice of the weird life I was living then, that one bit doesn't reflect the kind of ally that I try to be now, and I gotta own that. And in more tactical terms, it's just a little lazy. Stumbling on a hoary trope like that takes something away from a piece that I otherwise like. Is that even how you write it? Is it "an" hoary trope?
Good to be reminded though. Maybe a lesson could be that it feels tired when you're writing it, it probably is. In which case it isn't going to be less tired 5, 6, 10 years down the road. Neither are we.
That’s totally fair, and I can understand that.
How would you change that bit—what would you replace that quip with, do you think?
Well that's just it. I feel like I left a lot on the table here. I mean, if the writing prompt is to give all the reasons why I might not be excited about a dimpled plastic cup filled with the rapidly-melting outflow of an insalubrious slushy maker that's been churning since time immemorial behind the bar of a third-tier, central Florida business hotel, that should be plenty to work with. Those are literary grounds, rich and fecund. So if all I came up with in the moment was a couple of lazy swipes at the supposed femininity of pink drinks, you know...lost opportunity.
And well said.
Incidentally I’m at an airport bar right now and the woman seated next to me (at said bar) just answered her phone with an exasperated, “I’m DRIVING! What do you need!?” Ah, travel…
That description you just gave was actually a rich contender as a replacement for the quip, dang.