The Ecstasy of Wally
Dear All,
This is the latest episode of Don’t Press That Button, a newsletter about books and music and movies and cats and baseball and whatnot. As the name would indicate, we are very cautious about buttons around here. We want to understand what the button does before we smack that thing.
But the button below simply subscribes you to this newsletter. That’s it. And it’s free! If you’re new here, and you’d like to stick around, you can safely do so by clicking on it.
Space Toys!
This is quite a belated newsletter — sorry about that!
Late July and August got away from me. Among other things, I went to see the Red Sox and they walked off the Mariners. It was awesome. Rafi blasted one off the wall, the winning run scampered home, the Standells played “Dirty Water,” everyone jumped up and down, and Wally the Green Monster stormed the field and waved his flag. Good times never seemed so good!
I was also very busy with some exciting Self Help-related work that I can’t share just yet, but please stay tuned on that.
I started physical therapy on my thumb. I am beginning to believe that my hand jive days may not be over after all…
What else? I lost my reading glasses. I’m going to find them, though.
Oh, and I’ve been tumbling some rocks. Almost done with that: The instructions called for four cycles. I’m not deep into geology as a general matter, but who doesn’t like a nice rock?
Really, I just can’t resist a long project. Come to think of it, for me, that’s actually maybe the best part of writing a book — you get to sit right in that thing for a good old time. I bet some of you are writing books, or stories, or scripts, or comics. You have to finish eventually, but I hope you’re relishing the process.
But, the bottom line is that I’ve been remiss with this DPTB, and I feel guilty. Maybe I can make it up to you by sharing this glorious page of ads I found in a random comic book from the mid-eighties? Look closely!
A few thoughts: 1) Mail order brass knuckles: hello, Planet 1985. 2) The mystery of the Mental Survival Kit is a real teaser. What’s in there? I want to mentally survive! 3) Space toys - ONLY.
The Latest
Self Help #3 landed in comic shops, and Self Help #4 is soon to follow in its footsteps! I signed some copies of #3 at my excellent local store, October Country, so go visit or let them know if you want to snag one. You can find the issue at Midtown Comics, too (not signed), or at your nearest store.
Self Help continues to be available digitally, as well. Has anyone read it that way? If so, drop me a line and let me know how it looks!
My Self Help co-conspirator, Jesse Kellerman, has a new novel out, The Lost Coast, which is the latest in the outstanding Clay Edison series.
I signed a whole bunch of copies of the Sleeping Beauties: Deluxe Remastered Edition graphic novel for my friends at Oblong Books. Alison Sampson and Rio Youers’s adaptation has never looked more beautiful. Those are available here.
The Psychic Benefits
Let’s dial up our friends at the Paranoid Style!
Dear Paranoid Style, I bought a bright pink T-shirt, and I really like it, but I want it to be a faded pink, which I feel like is a great shade for me, so I’m wearing it as often as possible. What do you think of my strategy?
Ah, the "war of attrition" approach. Absolutely solid strategy — one that has been employed by many a tactician for centuries. Has the added advantage of solidifying your brand, which is really the most important thing when trying to survive late capitalism. "Oh, you know Owen," they'll say. "He's the guy who's always wearing a pink shirt." It may take some time, but you WILL see results and get to the shade you desire. Don't try any shortcuts, such as bleaching or acid washing. These are pure hoaxes designed by the powerful big T-shirt lobby. If you start to doubt yourself, just remember the wisdom of Heraclitus: You can never wear the same T-shirt twice.
Bonus: Any thoughts on Pink Floyd? I love “Wish You Were Here,” naturally, but I’ve never known where to begin.
I don't know anything about Pink Floyd, but what fascinates me about "Wish You Were Here" — to digress a little bit — is that for the past 50 years Van Morrison has been absolutely outraged at essentially every performer not named Van Morrison for "stealing" his sound and vision. The complete anomaly is that "WYWH" is almost a direct carbon copy of Van's "Almost Independence Day," which was released a few years previous. In this instance, Van seems to be not only not upset, but mysteriously approving and has been known to duet on stage with Roger Waters on the popular Pink Floyd tune "Comfortably Numb." This is one of rock 'n' roll's great enigmas, because the plagiarism couldn't be more obvious. Perhaps Van and Roger have a lot to discuss, politics-wise? Tough to say more without consulting my lawyers first.
As far as where to begin, I'd advise checking out any number of the laser Floyd shows that are invariably running at all of your local planetariums — that's always a good place to start anything, truly. But I'd recommend stopping before you get to "The Wall." No one needs that.
Recommendations
I am reading Gretel and the Great War by Adam Erlich Sachs, and it is a splendid, tricky novel in stories that repeatedly pushes through humor into horror. All of you Pale Fire enthusiasts should definitely check it out.
I can never get enough of the Dearest substack. How great is Tom Petty’s Mustang?
For that matter, how great is Tom Petty? Consider him continually recommended.
In case you ever have a question or a comment or just want to say hi, if you reply to the email, I will see it. I’m over on Instagram, too, if you’d like to follow along there.
All Best,
Owen