I take pride in professionalism. I am willing to do things that other people find ridiculous if I have agreed to appear at a certain festival or school. Once I say yes I don’t do otherwise. I will drive four hours to teach a class and then turn around and drive straight home… I will work under bad circumstances, and I will feel virtuous. Laurel sometimes puts it this way: Rick likes it when it sucks. I can’t address the origin of this particular way of being, the professionalism just is. It makes it easier for me to wake up in the morning, because I know what I have to do… I felt (and feel still) like showing up for class keeps me tethered to the world.
~ Rick Moody, The Long Accomplishment: A Memoir of Hope and Struggle in Matrimony (August 6, 2019)
Photo of Rick Moody via Seven Days
Live & Learn 
Never heard of the guy. NOW I am sort of in love with him…. The tremendous power of words, imagination, but also experience and love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He does.
LikeLike
“… keeps me tethered to the world.” I’m stealing that line!
LikeLiked by 1 person
STRONG punch line. Yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sounds like he and his wife both understand what makes him tick. personally, when I commit to something I always try to show up. it matters.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does matter. It does.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree; there is a certain pleasure in doing the things that no one else wants to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And just showing up, no matter how tough it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing worse than someone not showing up after they said they would. I can’t respect someone who does it without a fabulous reason.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a nice guy who does what he said he would
LikeLiked by 1 person
He didn’t start that way but found his way….
LikeLike
Love it! Sounds so old-fashioned, and feels so private–this pact between oneself and ones word…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree. So 1960’s like.
LikeLike