Arman's Antics (#091)
Latest from the curious contrarian
Hola partner,
Coming to you live from Austin, Texas.
Here’s your weekly dose of Arman’s Antics — five things I’ve been exploring or pondering that will give you a good think, laugh, cry (or a nasty combination of the three).
Let’s give it up for the twenty-four new subscribers receiving this for the first time (772 total). I don’t know why you’ve come. But I’m glad you’re here.
My hope is that no one actually reads this, but if you do, please keep it to yourself.
Essay I wrote this week
According to the American Psychological Association, about 40% of first marriages end in divorce. For second marriages, it’s 60%. And the third time around, it jumps up to 73% (you think they’d take the hint by now).
So clearly, the only thing Americans love more than marriage is divorce (and football).
That’s why:
I love being married but wouldn't recommend it to anyone
Tuesday, May 28 at 6:07 pm. My wife and I were standing nose to nose in our apartment kitchen politely discussing the age old question: who had dinner duties? There was a brief lull in the conversation when I suddenly blurted out ten words that I thought may end my marriage on the spot...
Fiction book I’m reading before bed
The Umbrella Man and Other Stories by Roald Dahl.
I’m a hardcore nonfiction addict who desperately wants to give fiction a chance.
But sheesh, how do people do it? How can you read 500+ pages of a single story?
I’m just not built for that.
But a collection of short stories?
That I can handle.
Which is why I’m glad I discovered this book recently. You can knock out a story in one sitting.
You probably know this author for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, or James and the Giant Peach.
This is for all my nonfiction addicts who want to dip their toes into the fascinating world of fiction without having to read hundreds of pages of fluff to get to the good stuff.
Sports documentary I’m loving
Welcome to Wrexham Season 3.
This claims to be a show about an obscure Welsh soccer team who is trying to turn around their club after years of irrelevance.
But it’s actually about the power of sports to turn around an entire community.
Be prepared to laugh + cry uncontrollably whilst sitting on the edge of your seat. And don’t be surprised if you suddenly become a diehard Wrexham supporter even if you have zero interest in sports.
Plus, you get to watch the handsomest man of all, Ryan Reynolds.
Here’s the trailer:
Groceries
You’ve probably noticed food prices skyrocketing over the past few years.
And for some reason, people still choose to shop at a grocery store called Whole Foods. Otherwise known as Whole Paycheck.
No thank you.
But I do like to walk in there from time to time just to see what grocery prices will be in 2054 for the rest of us.
Random thought
I tried to change the world and nothing happened.
I tried to change myself and nothing was the same.
That’s it for the 91st edition of Arman’s Antics.
Most people aren’t curious enough to make it this far, but you’re not most people.
Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Cheers,
Arman
Dahl's success as a children's book writer completely eclipses the fact that he was also one of the sharpest and most satirical writers for adults in his time.
Well done, partner. Always some interesting things to chew on going into the weekend here.
Nice to know grocery prices are rising in your neck of the woods too (Canadian grocery is a bit of an oligopoly so prices are ridiculous here) -- misery loves company as they say.
Also, this is fantastic: "I tried to change the world and nothing happened. I tried to change myself and nothing was the same."
Have a great weekend, pal.