Image taken from lavitalenta’s Notes account. Well worth checking out btw.
Letter From The Founder
I suspect this weeks theme will be of no surprise to regular readers here. Discussing ‘The Good Life’ and how to go about getting closer to it is well within the STSC wheelhouse, perhaps even stereotypically so. And this is as it should be- if a collective of writers, artists, thinkers, dreamers, layabouts and bohemians aren’t constantly philosophising and rhapsodising on what makes life good and worth living then are they really worth there salt?
I’m not saying all art and discourse should be de facto optimistic and joyous but if we aren’t at least trying to have fun and find meaning and contentment and pleasure then why bother, you know?
And as with all good setting-the-world-to-rights type conversations there is a true plurality of perspectives, voices, stories, worldview and aesthetics present in this month’s collection. There’s plenty to think about but also there is plenty to move you as well.
The goal with these Symposiums (Symposia? Symposii?) has always been to each month provide a true variety of skilful, witty, powerful, genre-defying and meaningful pieces of art that collectively become greater than the sum of their parts. And-if I may be so bold- I would argue that yet again we have delivered on this. Read on and see if you agree.
Enjoy.
Essays
Middle-Aged Women Who Get Tattoos by Ana
On PTs, the personification of mid life crisis and, indeed, middle-aged women who get tattoos. Ana Bosch is back.
Cobblestones by Samantha
A real, proper, carefully considered discussion on the topic of cobblestones. Erudite, wide reaching and expansive. Now that might not sound like your bag but if it’s not that’s your lose in my opinion because this is a wonderful, wonderful piece. Up there with Samantha Mozart’s very best in my opinion.
The Kingdom by Clint
Clintavo yet again delivers his patented essay and a short story 1-2 punch. This first blow- the stiff jab right to the face- is an impassioned discussion of art, energy, love, beauty and everything that really matters. A classic Clint polemic.
Goodbye Sisyphus by Terry
One of the best riffs on Camus’s Sisyphus quote I have ever read. Direct, heartfelt, human, no-nonsense- classic Terry Freedman , in other words.
Fiction
The Good Life by Dane
Dane Benko delivers a satirical, clear-eyed and just a little troubling take on the American Dream as both promise and reality. His Uncanny Stories are always worth reading and re-reading.
Any Given Day / Electromagnetism by Matthew
A typewritten story followed by bonus context on the meaning and how the story came into being. Fantastic stuff. Matthew Martin is the real deal.
Finally Crashed by G.K. Gaius
All I wanted was a good life. To work. Have money. Spend money. Live for my clients. Take care of them Be good. That’s why I’m up at 3am. That’s why I sleep at 12pm. And that’s why I’ve finally crashed.
I’ve never read a gkgaius story that I didn’t love. This latest is no exception.
Catalogue by Minna
Minna delivers an exquisite love story here in a compellingly, wonderfully non-obvious way. A unique voice.
Falling Out of the Garden Into a Good Life by Clint
He stung you with the jab and now here’s the killshot- a post Edenic embrace of humanity with all of it’s faults and foibles. Like all good knockout shots it’s the combination of speed and power that gets you.
Guerrero by Greg
“You know where to go...you know what to do...”
Read this dreamlike gem from Greg Lemon and you will never look at wolves quite the same way again. Masterful.
A Gratuitous Plug for Frank and Brady
If I had to give my proscription for living the good life it would not involve much podcast listening, I have to be honest with you. It’s a huckster saturated, advertisement filled, time-wasting, parasocial, low bandwidth medium at this point. But there are the odd exceptions operating at the margins.
The Frank and Brady Show is one of them. It’s the only podcast I listen to, sincerly, and not just because Frank Kidd and Brady Putzke are my boys. It’s because it’s actually good. You should listen to it too. Here’s a random episode to get started on:
Signing off
So that was the STSC Good Life Symposium. As long time readers and STSC loyalists will know, every December we deviate from the first Sunday of the month release date and instead bring out a special Fiction issue just before Christmas. This year will be no exception. So expect an incredible short story collection from us to arrive in your inbox before the year is out. 100% free. You lucky things.
As always thanks for the support, for the likes and shares, for the public comments and kind words of private encouragement. It is always appreciated.
Cheers.
TJB.
Thanks for kind words, Tom