Yuck explained

Sorry for being slightly obtuse. My ongoing sex tips for girls* (*girls who are holding on to mid-life by a thread). A modern dating odyssey for Young Olds, AKA, people with readers.

Realizing that what I wrote earlier today on my usual pub day seems “too mysterious,” let me clarify. I am moping around at home, hoping I don’t have COVID, and generally feeling yucky. The feeling yucky part of this is compounded by having had a truly shitty convo with my ex over the weekend that left me both extremely relieved to have broken things off, as well as melancholy and weird about some of the things discussed and some of the desires that we share. I’m generally OK with the melancholy part — relationships come and go and in the end, if we can wish our exes peace on their journeys forward (particularly exes like mine who are semi-scared of being loved due to their inability to “level up” — that’s a quote from mine. He told me he’s not “on my level.”), it’s a nice exercise in compassion. Right now, I’m not there in my compassion; I’m too incredulous, post-phone call, and am both wishing I did not answer when he rang up, while at the same time grateful that the call came when it did — a gift from the universe, as it were.

But, moving forward, as I blow my nose and drink my tea, and related to the general topic of being lost and grasping for what may keep you afloat, both real or imagined, I am thinking about the word “redemption” and I need your help, Dear Readers.

What television show, film, book, or play do you think best illustrated the most meaningful example of “redemption”?

And I’ll give you a hint to where I’m going with this. My pal Susan and I were talking about the piece that I am writing for Jenny Magazine next week, ahead of the premiere of Season Three of “The Bear” — my piece is based on my theory that Carmy is a fuckboy (and I know how much y’all love him; sometimes I do too) — and the worst kind of fuckboy: a SENSITIVE fuck boy.

In discussing this, Susan mentioned to me that one of the other characters on the show had what might be the biggest redemption in recent TV history. I agree. You’ll have to read me next week to get the rest of the story.

So…tell me what YOU think is the greatest tale of redemption that you’ve ever seen on the screen, on the stage, or on a page? Comment below or email me at whatsshovegottodowithit@gmail.com. And please stay tuned for my Jenny piece that will run on June 26th, on their platform as well as in this space, a day ahead of the show’s premiere, to see who I think might be a better man.

Photo at top of post:

Redemption Rock in Princeton, MA, boasts a significant history. The granite ledge is inscribed with the story of the colonial hostage negotiation and release of Mary White Rowlandson from captivity. Angered by the spread of colonial settlements westward, the chief Metacomet (known to European settlers as King Philip) led the Nipmuc, Narragansett, and Wampanoag in defense of their land. In February 1676, several hundred indigenous peoples attacked Lancaster and captured Mary White Rowlandson, her three children, and 20 others, and took them into the wilderness for several months. They returned to Lancaster in late April 1676 where, as the inscription says, John Hoar of Concord negotiated Mary’s release at this huge, flat-topped granite ledge.