LIVE SHOW NOTE: I’m sorry to report that we’ve had to cancel the upcoming live show at Caveat, scheduled for Thursday February 22nd. Those of you who already bought tickets should be getting a refund.
We’re trying to find an alternate date, but if not we’ll see you in April!
Welcome to Ask Roulette, the newsletter. Before we get going — if you dig this newsletter, please share it with someone else who might dig it! Forward the email or use the button below.
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How does this work? Each newsletter you’ll see one reader’s answer to the previous question. Then you’ll see the question they have for the list, which you can respond to if you’d like. Or you can just read and enjoy.
Previous ask:
What is one object that you've sold, given away, thrown out, lost, etc. that you wish you could get back and why?
Sean answers:
The summer after I graduated high school, I went on a six-week community service project in Kenya. It was an eye-opening experience, where, incidentally, I met the person I'd marry 14 years later. The trip was the kind of experience that transforms a suburban 17-year-old boy.
Before I left on the trip, a friend gave me a moleskin journal. Prior to that moment, I'd never journaled. In Kenya, I was constantly having new experiences and feelings, and I was religious about making daily journal entries. By the end of the 6 weeks, I treasured that journal. I made my final journal entry on my flight home. It was a discrete artifact from that summer that represented a number of changes I had undergone. It was perfect.
Three years later, I had finished my junior year of college. The semester had officially ended, and I had to move out of my university-sponsored housing. The school had a week of parties for graduating seniors, for which I stayed. I moved all of my belongings to a friend's place, and I was living in her living room for the week. Because I wasn't an official tenant of the house, I didn't have a key and left the door unlocked. One day upon my return to my temporary accommodations, I noticed that a few of my things had been shuffled around. My CD player was missing! So was my school backpack. I was annoyed, but not terribly bothered. I chalked it up to the cost of living in a friend's unsecured living room.
A few weeks later at my parents' house, I started looking for my precious journal; I planned on reading a passage. That's when I realized it was gone and that it was in my stolen backpack. I remember feeling violated. Yes, my space was violated. Moreso, my mind was violated. I remember thinking about how that journal was essentially worthless to the person who took it. And of course it was irreplaceable to me. The difference in value to each of us still makes my heart hurt just a little bit.
And that's why I don't journal anymore.
Sean asks:
If you are partnered, how did you meet your partner? If you're unpartnered but would like to be, what's your dream meet-cute?
If you’d like to answer this question, you can simply hit reply to this email and write it in. Be sure to also include a question that you’d like to submit next. And tell us a story — your answer will be the bulk of the next newsletter. We will only use your first name, but if you wish to answer anonymously, let us know. Or, leave a comment.
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Thanks to everyone who responded. See you next week.
Just one thing for you this week, but it’s a cherished yearly tradition. The 2024 Montana Mix.
Every late-winter, some friends of mine and I go to a cabin in Montana and… sit around. Probably my favorite activity in the world, and this cabin is a great venue for it. Among other things, it’s got great speakers. So each year, I make a mix for the Saturday afternoon, 3-5 hours of music to sustain us as we hang on the couch, take drugs, cook food, and enjoy each other’s company. The stuff that life is really made of.
I work on the mix, basically, for 364 days of the year in anticipation of the next year’s trip. The playlist is a closely guarded secret. The sequencing is immaculate.
This is now the 7th Montana Mix. I love them all, but I really do think this is one of the best. I proclaimed the 2020 mix to be the best playlist I’d ever compiled — this one might top it.
I hope you get a chance to listen, with friends, maybe on drugs.
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