Secret Handshakes

I used to think posting ideas online was this noble thing I should be doing. I tried it on and off for a few years, but it never quite fit. Something always felt off.

Then it finally clicked.

I was trying to write what I thought people wanted to read, instead of what I actually wanted to say.

Profound? To me, yes.

Unique? Not even a little.

Still true. Still necessary.

So this is me drawing a line.

This space exists for me to be honest with myself first, and with the reader second. Not performative honesty. Not outrage-for-engagement honesty. Just the kind that holds up when someone pushes back.

I’m interested in back-and-forth conversations. Perspectives shared in good faith. Disagreement without contempt. Curiosity without cruelty. Today’s world seems far more interested in arguments than understanding. I’m opting out of that pattern here.

With that in mind, a few beliefs I’m bringing with me:

• I believe in the power of creativity, ideally paired with being a little clever.

• I believe all people have dignity, and we should treat them accordingly.

• I believe baseball is storytelling disguised as a sport.

• Movie theater popcorn is overrated. Movie theater fountain drinks are wildly underrated.

• I’ve never met a claw machine I didn’t believe I could beat.

If you disagree with me, that’s fine.

If you want to talk about it without turning it into something ugly, even better.

That’s the deal.