The Three Day Quote Challenge – Day 1

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(Photo Credit openculture.com)

“Great art is horseshit, buy tacos.” – Charles Bukowski

The man was a goddamned poet. No, literally, he was a poet.

Wait, let’s back up. I was challenged by Tom in his latest piece to participate in a challenge that he completed earlier today. This rules are as follows:

1) Thank the person who nominated you

2) Share a post each day for three consecutive days

3) Explain why you like the quote

4) Nominate three bloggers to play along.

Thanks Tom. It should be obvious that number 2 has already been addressed. What follows will be an attempt at number 3. I have no intention of doing number 4. It’s just not my thing. I am excited that Tom tagged me though, because writing about quotes is fun. I like to see all the different types of stuff folks come up with. So, here we go…

I’ve always loved reading Bukowski. It’s raw, and dirty, and slimy. His work is sticky and uncomfortable. Pain and truth bleed and run down the page producing prose with an unnerving amount of honesty.

We bury ourselves in self-help psychology. We read books and listen to podcasts and search – reaching and stretching – for any glimmer of hope that the insecurity, self-doubt, and self-sabotage that we inflict on ourselves day-in and day-out will someday be alleviated. We pray we find the perfect mantra, or diet, or yogi, or exercise routine. We do what we have been taught to do: We run from danger.

Yet, there is beauty in occasionally plunging into the deep end of the pool; drifting towards the murky bottom. Exploiting our pain and demons for artistic expression. Sometimes we just gotta give in and see where the ‘yuck’ can take us.

That’s when I like to read Bukowski the most. When I’m feeling defeated. When I’m struggling to express myself creatively. When I don’t feel like the trying is worth the effort. I read his words, and I read about his life, and what I take from it is that without trying, without being honest, and without just saying what it is you want to say, you will succumb to it all. The more that you fight back with middle fingers and drunken outbursts, the more chances you get to create something magnificent.

That’s why I like the quote that I posted at the beginning of this. It’s simple. It’s perfect. It’s really how I want to live my life: While some chase the opportunity to interpret the meaning of a dead mans doodles, I’d rather be with you, buying tacos out of a sketchy food truck apologizing again for almost peeing on your dog.

Thanks again Tom.

Published by Dylan Andersen

"And now, for my next trick, I'll try and make everyone understand me" - Marc Maron

Published

17 thoughts on “The Three Day Quote Challenge – Day 1”

    1. As with everything I do, I admit that there is a great deal of hypocrisy between what I wish and desire and what and how I actually do things. BUT, there is always those little moments of triumph to look forward to.

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      1. I wouldn’t call you a hypocrite for doing it, Dylan. Many of us would like to simplify things in life (quoting Emerson is easy, but doing it sth quite different so we mostly preach, but rarely practice). Given the kind of lives we (have been forced to) live, it’s no wonder this ideal is so hard to attain nowadays.
        But, being aware of it and putting an effort into practicing it whenever possible make you a conscious individual, not a hypocrite. Make no mistake.

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  3. So, you must know that I am a little bit in love with you right now, Dylan!!! Bukowski is a demon I fought with for a long time, but finally I had to succumb. He truly changed the face of contemporary poetry. He forged a path for so many of us that feel broken and fucked up and want to write about it honestly, but of course he couldn’t have given a fuck about any of that. He was a genius in decrepit skin and he didn’t give a shit. The way you have described his poetry is perfect!!!!! Thank you for this share Dylan!

    I am always so happy to see you return to us here and I hope you stay for a while this time!!!!!

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  4. My dearest, deepest brother, it was my pleasure to prompt you. As you can see, you are sorely missed. I absolutely adore your work and, though I’ve never read Bukowski, his stuff, too. I can’t wait to see what you do with it the next two days, and please feel free to succumb to a grueling schedule of regular postings in this space so that the rest of our tribe can enjoy your clever meanderings.

    Plus, use more adverbs. 😉

    Great job, brother. It really has been too long!

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