WHY DON’T YOU? #148
Monday: Why don’t you schedule your day to ensure you receive eight hours of sleep? I’m laughing at myself for writing this because I literally never do. But last night, […]
Author Archives: Benjamin Phillips
THINGS I LOVED/HATED THIS WEEK #188
LOVE: National Geographic’s “History” Magazine: My favorite magazine that isn’t trashy gossip, fashion, or architecture is National Geographic. It’s the only periodical that I read from cover to cover. I […]
NEW YORK CITY: Cloister Queen
When I was finally conscious the next morning, I was really feeling my hair. Back then in March I still had long hair. We were near the end of our […]
WHY DON’T YOU? #147
Monday: Why don’t you whip up dozens of soups and store them in the freezer? Now that September is here, autumn has arrived in my mind, and now I crave […]
NEW YORK CITY: Theatre Queens
I was in Villefranche. I was in Paris. I was at home. I was walking through Los Angeles. I was thriving and having something of a spiritual moment as the music washed over me. My eyes got all watery — probably some kind of allergic reaction to the curtains, you know? — and it was magic. I always forget how profound an impact music and stories make on us. This one has been in my life for so many years, and I had grown accustomed to the idea of never having this chance. So to be in that audience having this rare opportunity was a delirious delight. I did not take it lightly at all.
THINGS I LOVED/HATED THIS WEEK #187
LOVE: Waffle House: I would happily drive all the way to Kansas City to enjoy a meal at the Waffle House. This beloved institution gets a lot of crap from […]
WHY DON’T YOU? #146
After many months, I’m back. Summer was decadent and glorious. Soon you’ll hear all about it! Monday: Why don’t you have a large picture of yourself printed up doing something […]
NEW YORK CITY: Art Ho in the City
The blizzard was not nearly as severe as all the weather forecasters had predicted, but the fact that I had to suffer in this insufferable way was simply too much for me. Forlornly, I made my way to the little cafe in the lobby of the Jane Hotel. I glowered at the freshly painted walls, signed wistfully at the memory of the Café Gitane’s lost nearness, scowled when I was told that they didn’t have an espresso machine, haughtily accepted drip coffee, and took a seat beside the windows whilst waiting for overpriced avocado toast to arrive. I was insufferable. The toast was actually great. I love a seedy bread.
THINGS I LOVED/HATED THIS WEEK #186
I was completely satisfied with my journey to Mexico’s capital. I wish that I had never left. I wish I lived there now. I adored the Metro and the cemeteries and the glorious Catholic churches and the marvelous felines that roamed the streets. Each day I was there, I found something new and wondrous to delight me. I won’t go into too much detail right now because I’m going to start my travel narratives soon, so just know that Mexico City completed me. I miss it with the aching heart I have for Paris and Luxor.
NEW YORK CITY: Blizzard Queens
She said something profound right then, after tutting dismissively at me, “You just live, Ben! Don’t listen to anybody, and if they ask what’s wrong, say that you fell in a damn ditch and you hurt your knee. OH! And always talk to the bartender; he has all the right answers and you don’t have to take him home.”
“Queen!” I muttered, but I don’t think she understood.
