Just Dru & Me
When I got the idea to write these letters, I was excited. Excited that I could reach out to people I don’t keep in touch with like I should. To my surprise, many people who received my letter asked one question, ‘Why did you send this?’
A fair question. I like the idea of letters in general. Maybe it is the antiquated nature of them or the appeal of being a hipster. Like I am somehow expressing how quirky and different I am through my chosen communication medium. That may all be true. But also, I believe it is some small miracle that I can write characters on a sleeve of paper, hand it to a stranger, and they will see it delivered nearly anywhere on Earth.
I guess the real answer is that this past year has been a bit of a mixed bag and I think unpacking some of my experiences will help me digest them more easily. (At least that is what my therapist says)
That probably doesn’t answer the question. But I’m not writing this to answer questions.
So, if I want you to get to know me, I guess I should tell you about myself instead of some story about what I experienced in a courtroom.
Is a person their pertinent details? I’m 5’10ish (I think) and still overweight. I’m working on it. I’m 30 years old. I really like my age. I finally understand myself, I think.
Is a person what they do? I’m the Leasing Director at an apartment community. We have over 500 apartment homes and over 1,000 people live here. Many of them know be by name. My job is to keep this place filled up. ‘Heads in beds’ in short. But there is more to it than that. I’ve built relationships with these people. A lot of them are moving here from far away and a friendly face can make all the difference in the world. I like that. I like the people I work with. These are not small things. But is that what makes a person who they are?
What about their hobbies and interests? Let’s see. I like reading and writing. I generally go through a book a month reading. Right now I am reading a short book, ‘When Breathe Becomes Air’. A beautiful but tragic story. Can’t recommend it until I’m done. I love most Hemingway & Orwell. I often reread some of my favorites.
My writing comes and goes. Like catching a scent on the breeze. I try to stop what I’m doing and follow that as much as I can. That Inspiration is fleeting for me and writing without it feels like digging a hole without a shovel.
I like games. Many of you know this as I often had video games in close-proximity growing up. I’ve realized now that interest is not just limited to video games. Board games, tabletop games, rock, paper scissors! I find them all fascinating. It’s strange to me to see how popular games have become.
I like movies & tv. I’ve watched a lot through this Covid unpleasantness. I don’t really limit myself to one genre. I have ended up rewatching some old favorites like Community, Seinfeld & Bob’s Burgers. I’ve also fallen into deep binging holes watching Ted Lasso, Chernobyl & Bojack Horseman among others. That last one really made an impact. I’m considering writing about it in more detail one of these days. Loved the recently released ‘The Green Knight’ & the latest ‘Suicide Squad’. I rewatched A Few Good Men and it still kicks ass.
Is that enough to let you know who I am? Doesn’t feel like it. Some things are hard to put on the page. George Orwell said it best, “Words are such feeble things.”
Maybe who you are is who you spend your life with? I’m still on the lookout for that special lady. By the way, I apologize for sending that first letter in a blue envelope. A few people reached out to me saying that thought it was a baby boy announcement. While I don’t condone the gendering of colors, I would probably pick up the phone to make such an announcement.
I have some good humans in my life I see regularly. I also don’t mind having my own space in my own apartment. Although, I do miss my dearly departed companion, Chairman Meow. I love visiting my cousin-nieces (Esme & Tilly) in Palm Coast, play board games with the fam, getting together for table top games with some nearby nerdos & fishing in our lake. I go to the beach (even though it is pretty gross), I go to the park, I drink a lot of coffee, I’m making the switch to oat milk, I’m never late to anything.
Forgive the rambling nature of this letter, I am just coming to grips with the overwhelming task I have set out before myself. I don’t know that I can tell you who I am. But let’s see if I’m up to the challenge.
I guess I should rewind and pick one thing and run with it. Let’s talk about ambition.
To be honest, I’ve always had lofty expectations for myself. I wanted to be a published author by now or the head of a company or the millionaire inventor of the crunchy omelet™. While I have fallen short of those, I do give myself some credit. I make a difference in my small corner of the world and that’s enough for now.
That being said, the future is looking pretty bright in Drutonia. I have plans to create my own board game. I have had a few projects come and go but I am working on one now that I think could sing. I’m also interested in climbing the ladder of the burgeoning rental industry, of which I am a part. I will likely be making a move soon and the cool thing about my job is that it can be done anywhere in the world! I’m working on myself a lot these days. I try to listen more than I speak. I try to exercise every day. I work to be kind to as many people as I can.
I enjoy art. Low art like a good meme or high art like ‘The Kramer’. I like the idea of libraries much more than actually going to them. My favorite town to visit is Charleston, South Carolina. I’m not sure why but every time I’ve gone, I’ve experienced an undeniable magic that I can scarcely explain.
Maybe I am doing this to feel vulnerable. My personality is often guarded by comedy and shame. This is my outlet to feel like a real person.
Honestly, it’s probably a mix of all the above.
Speaking of not being vulnerable, I’m going to put my walls back up and share a few listicles!
(the following are not listed in order of value)
Dru’s Favorite Movies (he’s watched in the past year)
The Green Knight (Spiciness level = Moderate to Severe)
Visually stunning and well-acted by Dev Patel.
A Few Good Men (SL = Mild)
You can’t handle the truth… about how good this movie still is.
Die Hard (SL = Moderate to Severe)
I really like movies that take you on a cerebral journey. One where you learn something about yourself along the way. This is not that. It’s just great.
Parasite (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Do yourself a favor, look past the subtitles because this movie is simply brilliant.
Into the Spiderverse (SL = Mild)
Rip off the veil of ‘this is a kid’s movie’ Maybe it is, but it is fantastic. The art style is iconic and will likely be copied for years to come.
Mad Max: Fury Road (SL = Moderate to Severe)
The latest entry an the aging series is, to me, it’s best.
Judas & the Black Messiah (SL = Moderate to Severe)
One of my favorite actors, LaKeith Stanfield, portrays a seldom talked about character from the civil rights movement in Chicago.
Sorry to Bother You (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Another LaKeith Stanfield joint. While I initially watched because I have worked in the telemarketing space in the past, this film quickly begins to unravel.
Get Out (SL = Moderate to Severe)
They hype was legitimate for this one. Not much of a scary movie guy but this one is most certainly worth a watch.
Ex Machina (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Oscar Isaac doing his thing. This guy chews scenery like a goat chews grass… A lot I’m guessing. Great movie though.
Akira (SL = Spicy)
Old-school anime… You still there? Ok, cool. You know that cool motocycle slide that you see in movies and tv all the time? It came from this. Great movie but a bit grotesque.
Interstellar (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Who doesn’t like Matthew McConaughey? I love space which means I love movies about space.
Blade Runner (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Based on a great book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Great movie way ahead of its time. Also, check out the sequel Blade Runner 2049 if that’s your jam.
Dru’s Favorite TV (That he’s watched in the past year)
True Detective, Seasons 1-3 (SL = Moderate to Severe)
That’s right, I even like the second season!
Bojack Horseman (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Why do I like this show? I have nothing in common with a horse that is struggling with his mental health after hitting it big in the 90s… Or do I? This show speaks to me in a way I have difficulty explaining. Get past the first season of hijinks and finish it. You will thank me.
Seinfeld (SL = Mild)
You either like it or you’re wrong.
Chernobyl (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Knew very little about the real life event but ended up reading all about after this show. Brilliantly acted by Stellan Skarsgard & Jared Harris. Skarsgard as Boris, ‘You’ll do it because it must be done. You’ll do it because nobody else can. And if you don’t millions will die. If you tell me that’s not enough, I won’t believe you…’
Ted Lasso (SL = Mild)
Is the hype real? It is to me. A pleasure to watch, especially as a fan of sports.
Squid Game (SL = Moderate to Severe)
It pains me to jump on the bandwagon but I really enjoyed this show. People don’t seem to get that it is about late stage capitalism which irks me deeply.
Succession (SL = Moderate to Severe)
If nothing else, this show will make you feel great about your family. Seriously, it is a gripping and well acted show. Mcauley Culkin’s brother is in it and does a damn good job.
The Mandalorian (SL = Mild)
Damnit Disney. You did it. You made a Star Wars show and you made it well. A cool mix of Josey Wales & laser blasters.
Community (SL = Mild)
Genre defining irreverent sitcom. Dan Harmon before he hit it big with Rick & Morty. Perfect for the youngish struggling adult on the go. Will always be among my favorites.
Bob’s Burgers (SL = Mild)
Not sure how or why this show works as well as it does, but it does. This show is kind to its characters but isn’t afraid to make them vulnerable either. All of this wrapped in cleverly animated setting.
Game of Thrones (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Yep. Despite the final season lacking the payoff of my expectations, this show still slaps. How many shows can boast having nearly every single character perfectly cast?! ‘But Dru, I don’t like that fantasy crap.’ That’s ok, I like it enough for the both of us.
Cowboy Bebop (SL = Moderate to Severe)
One of my favorites, courtesy of spending summers growing up around the Godoy boys. Kickass anime that was well ahead of its time.
The Newsroom (SL = Moderate to Severe)
Aaron Sorkin plus Jeff Daniels equals one of my favorite HBO shows I’ve watched. I wish that the show featured actually existed.
Druism Word Reference:
· Druism Word Reference, what you are reading – A helpful guide to discerning what Dru means when he uses certain words that are either made up or used incorrectly.
· Drutonia, proper noun – Fictious utopian nation where Dru is king and everyone in the nation is also Dru. It’s a Drustravaganza!
· Nerdo(s), noun – Shortened version of nerdy people that share the same interests. A coterie.
· Tabletop games, noun – Any game that uses a table. Examples: Catan, Pandemic, Risk, etc.
· Petrichor, noun – The smell of upturned topsoil in the air just as it begins to rain. This is Dru’s favorite smell.
· The Kramer, proper noun – The famous painting from the greatest television show to ever grace the air ways, Seinfeld. (Season 3, episode 21, The Letter)
· Listicle, noun – Popularized by Buzzfeed, a listicle is a type of written content designed to get humans to ‘click’ in order to generate more traffic. These articles often contain lists with quirky comments made after each item on said list.
· Spiciness Level (SL), noun – A rating system used in Drutonia to signify, at a glance, the appropriateness of the content. Mild – Totally fine for everyone Medium – Maybe not for kids Moderate to Severe – Definitely not for kids Spicy – Maybe not even for adults
· Late Stage Capitalism, problem – In short, the situation we are in now in the United States. Years of unchecked greed and corruption has resulted in an unsustainable economic situation. Great video by The Atlantic on Youtube. I would post the link but you would have difficult clicking on this piece of paper. Example: Millions of people on the planet lack basic human needs; however, billionaires spend ridiculous amounts of money to launch space crafts. They have gained their aforementioned wealth by exploiting workers.
· Slaps, adj. – Synonym for, this thing is good. This song is catchy. Millennial equivalent – That’s dope. British equivalent – That’s good stuff ol’ chap Gen X equivalent – Dead ass, no cap
· Anime, noun – Japanese animation style. You know it when you see it.
Postscript: Some of you received the wrong phone number to text me on in the last letters. This is because I have been working so much that I automatically typed my work number. I corrected most of them in sharpie but some of them got out. For reference, you can shoot me a text at: 386.562.7009.