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
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.
He does.
“… keeps me tethered to the world.” I’m stealing that line!
STRONG punch line. Yes.
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.
It does matter. It does.
I agree; there is a certain pleasure in doing the things that no one else wants to do.
And just showing up, no matter how tough it is.
Nothing worse than someone not showing up after they said they would. I can’t respect someone who does it without a fabulous reason.
Me too. Me too.
Sounds like a nice guy who does what he said he would
He didn’t start that way but found his way….
Love it! Sounds so old-fashioned, and feels so private–this pact between oneself and ones word…
Agree. So 1960’s like.