They say technology has advanced. But I want to set my alarm in the morning to be an actual movie starting. Why can't I be woken up with the sounds of The Santa Clause opening on my phone?

Hello everyone!

Do you remember the #BenReillyMonth? Well, it has been extended 'till the end of July and here's my (maybe) last illustration: Ben as Spider-Man with the people of the Daily Grind, enemies and rivals like Kaine, the new Doctor Octopus and Mysterio plus surviving the nightmare that was SpiderCarnage!

The Sinister Dystopia of DON’T HUG ME I’M SCARED

As of some one gently Spittin’, Spittin Rhymes at my chamber door

Good morning,

I sincerely apologize for the delay in getting back to you, I am overworked, underpaid, and currently suffering an existential crisis 24/7.

Please hesitate to reach out if there’s anything you need.

I hope you have a better day than I. But if you’re going to be an asshole, I hope your day is much worse.

Thank you,

True?

"Any idiot can face a crisis — it's day to day living that wears you out."

–Anton Chekhov

On the C- Minus Lifestyle

Dad's slowly coming to terms with the fact that I'll probably never climb my way back up to Academia and that my teenage and boyhood dreams of ending my life as a seersucker-clad older gent who Sips at Whiskey and Knows Things will, in all actuality, never take shape in the ways we'd envisioned it. To be fair, I'd come to that realization a few weeks after graduating, personally, and after realizing nobody knows what the fuck to do after getting a Master's. There's this expectation that you'll be sort of hoovered into the field you studied in, but that never panned out for me. As to why, well, it's due to the absurdities of Higher Learning, whereby getting a teaching position requires you to have previously taught. By that, this means you're supposed to have wowed the socks off of your thesis director and that you're more or less intended to land that fucking post the way Luke Skywalker found out he was a Jedi. If you can't slip into that vicious cycle early on, jam the wheel and start running along, it isn't going to work.

The problem is my thesis wowed the socks of my advisor, but didn't impress the review committee. 75% approval is a passing grade, sure, but my institution's board is dead-set on only memoirs of exceptional pedigree translating into a potential career in the field.

So I packed my bags and spent a while surviving off of Lecturer and TA stints, until the awfulness of the pay and the work involved pushed me to call it quits. Off to Marketing and IT I went. It's soul-crushing on some days, but at least my intellect isn't objectified. At least I'm understood to be doing my best in my current field, as opposed to be regarded with a kind of vague, condescending attempt at kindness, like you're watching an animal attempting to complete human-specific tasks.

For a few years, I thought I'd fucked up. I'd messed up my chance at finding excuses to stay on campus past hours so I could bill more man-hours for a bigger paycheck, I missed my chance at only really having two or three weeks off per year, seeing as most of the summer is spent working on the next fall semester's syllabus. I'd missed my chance at having a stack of grades to hand out, which, like Zach Weinersmith of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal would put it, would be the only way to appease students who weren't really looking to learn, but to get a passing grade in the least demanding way possible. I'd missed out on the utter thrill of needing to second-guess my every move in front of a classroom containing students of the female persuasion, seeing as I've heard horror stories about opportunistic monsters who twisted #MeToo and #SayHisName to slander lecturers who'd only ever done their job - even if their job meant failing a particular student ready to threaten and gaslight a member of faculty to get their passing grade.

I've missed out on the stress of it all, the having to weather student protests and strikes from the other end of the conflict. I've missed out on being underfunded and feeling like the administrators only really want to see more Red and Gold matches and glitzy locker rooms. I've missed out on having to shop for books in exclusive academic catalogues and having to demand a few hundred bucks to purchase a copy for reference like I'm seeking some sort of papal dispensation.

What have I got to show for it? Weekends for my chores and my side-projects. Dinners at 6 or 7 PM each weekday. Early clock-outs on Fridays. Friday Nights on Steam with the boys. A weaker, if more constant salary, with no badgering the dean for added funds. Definitely a better mental state than when I finished my degree - I was practically unraveling, back then!

Plus, if I want that seersucker vest so bad and feel like treating myself to one or two really good whiskey bottles a year, I can budget for them. As for the Ivy League-worthy pedantry - fuck, I don't need a seat at Harvard to sound like a pompous prick, I already do, sometimes!

So, yeah. Fuck the forty-hour nonsense. Screw the grind. I won't ever be someone's advisor, but I can mentor people at work. I don't give a shit about Hustle Culture anymore; I'm happy being utterly and completely average. I haven't needed a therapist since I started coming to that realization - and seeing anti-work pushbacks in the user comments on Forbes has really crystallized things for me.

The pandemic's changed the job market - potentially forever. People are realizing there's more to life than giving all that you are to an institution in the hopes that you'll get validation and a paycheck out of it.

I just wish I'd been able to tell that to Teenage Grem, I could've saved myself a lot of time spent soul-searching. It's just too bad that time machines don't exist.

re-entering my teddy bear era I need to see everyone I crush on naked and rubbing their bare cunt on a giant teddy bear while they moan and whisper my name

im sorry i cant come to your gender reveal party at the explosives testing range i need to write fanfic bat the faves around on the floor like a ball of yarn

This mofo would just not leave me alone during Gensin Impact dailies recently. I've never actually seen this ruin guard path out that far without resetting... and yes, he was bombing the platform the entire time I was busy killing hilichurls. So I slow-walked Zhongli's pillars out to him (long cooldown is long when keeping shield up lol) and errm, right... can't loot things on the sea floor. Whoops.

UNVEILING ROORKEE'S HIDDEN GEM: THE DAILY GRIND CAFÉ

In the heart of the bustling city of Roorkee, amidst the rhythm of its streets and the vibrant energy of its people, lies a hidden sanctuary—a place that transcends the ordinary, a haven for coffee aficionados and seekers of tranquility alike. Welcome to 'The Daily Grind.'

Tucked away from the urban hustle, this quaint café stands as a testament to the fusion of modernity and rustic charm. As you step through its doors, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee envelopes you, instantly transporting you to a realm where time slows down and every sip carries a story.

The ambiance is an eclectic blend of contemporary design and cozy comfort. Adorned with vintage-inspired décor, exposed brick walls, and warm wooden accents, The Daily Grind exudes an inviting aura, inviting patrons to unwind and savor the moment. Soft jazz melodies hum in the background, adding to the laid-back atmosphere.

What truly sets this café apart is its devotion to the art of coffee-making. The skilled baristas here are not just purveyors of caffeine; they are artisans, meticulously crafting each cup with passion and precision. From velvety lattes to robust espressos and flavorful pour-overs, every concoction tells a tale of expertise and dedication to the craft.

But it's not just about the coffee at The Daily Grind; their menu boasts an array of delectable treats to complement your beverage of choice. Indulge in freshly baked pastries, sumptuous sandwiches, and mouthwatering desserts, all made with locally sourced ingredients that infuse a distinct freshness into every bite.

Beyond its culinary delights, The Daily Grind serves as a communal space—a hub where conversations flow freely and friendships are forged over shared cups of steaming coffee. Whether you're catching up with old friends, engrossed in a novel, or quietly working on your laptop, the café embraces all with open arms.

The café also champions sustainability, implementing eco-friendly practices like using biodegradable cups and supporting local farmers, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the community and the environment.

Perhaps the most enchanting aspect of The Daily Grind is its ability to transport you away from the chaos of city life, even if just for a fleeting moment. It's a place where the aroma of coffee beans mingles with laughter, where time stands still, and where each visit promises a new experience.

Anhören:: Side A von SUFFERING MIND