Timothy McSweeney's Header Image

A WEB LOG
OR "BLOG" STARTED
IN AN ATTEMPT FOR ME,
GARY KIMBALL, TO GET
CLOSER TO MY 15-YEAR-
OLD SON, MARCUS, WHO'S
LIVING WITH HIS MOM
AND HER NEW HUSBAND,
RICK.

BY MIKE SACKS AND TED TRAVELSTEAD

- - - -

July 24, 2006

HEY, MARCUS!!! IT'S YOUR OL' MAN HERE AND I'M DOING SOME "BLOGGING" IN AN INTERNET CAFÉ! PRETTY COOL HUH? Ever since your Mom threw me out of the house for pursuing my dream of playing poker professionally, we don't see each other as often as I would like. So ... WHASSAAAAAAAP! Remember those Budweiser beer advertisements? Those were funny, we used to laugh at those together, remember? I'm Laughing Out Loud with all the memories we shared, except for the last few years, especially that time at the beer garden in the German section of EPCOT Center. Don't ever drink, son. Particularly within the confines of a heavily fortified amusement park ... Talk soon! YOUR POP!


August 11, 2006

HEY! I haven't heard from you after my last "shout out," so I was wondering if you had seen my "blog?" When I called the house the other day, your mother's new husband Rick answered, so I pretended I was your friend Kenny. You do have a friend named Kenny, right? I'm sorry that we didn't get to talk, son. I suppose I got kind of flustered because of that time Rick threatened me with physical violence for sneaking into the garage and taking a nap. How was I supposed to know he had moved in?!! And how the hell was I supposed to know he would be so incredibly sensitive about my belt-buckle scraping the roof of his brand-new Porsche Cayenne?!! I should have left a number for you to call back, but I haven't yet figured out this new "cell phone." So tiny! Hope to hear from you real soon, hombre! COOL! Dad


September 1, 2006

Great News, fella! I met a real "hottie" in the Wal-Mart parking lot a few nights ago! Are girls a part of your world yet, son? Can I give you a piece of valuable, well-earned advice? Never surprise a female by emerging partially nude from out of a pup-tent in their parking spot. Women are a different breed, Marcus. They really, really are ... TERRIFIC talk, son! Hang on a sec, Marcus! Looks like I have to give up my seat for a kid who's writing a book report on Beverly Cleary. I always did hate libraries! Not to mention intellectuals! By the way, is your e-mail really BlowItOutYourAs@yahoo.com? Only one "s"? I can't seem to get an answer there. Anyway, hotshot, REMEMBER TO KEEP IT REAL ... I know I am! Your Dumb ol' Dad


September 27, 2006

LISTEN UP, YO! PLEASE BE EXTRA PATIENT WITH YOUR NEW "FATHER" RICK! I imagine he can sometimes be a little show-offy, what with his extensive knowledge of math and science and history and pop culture and always wanting to help you for hours on end with your homework. Everybody knows he's just playing a role, and that this role of "The Hip and Successful Heart Surgeon Who's Also Fantastic with Step-Kids" grows old REAL quick. But would you just play along with him for your real Pop? I mean, when he takes you to the professional football games with his front row seats or to all those rap music concerts in the city that you both love attending so much, would you buy him a soda? Or a candy bar? Would you do that for your old man? ... Owe Ya One, Kiddo! DADDIO


October 4, 2006

Gotta make it real quick, "dude," seeing as I'm at the Radio Shack and not paying to use this computer and they're closing in 10 minutes. Just a few Odds & Ends ... Bought a pair of fresh underwear. Infection in the earlobe almost gone (no more cool earrings, my man!). And yes, that was me riding the children's bike on my paper route when you honked your horn and swerved in my direction on Clopper Road. Why didn't you tell me you turned 16 and finally got your driver's license?! Where was I all those years?! Seriously, where was I? PLEASE WRITE BACK! Or have you? Can't really keep track of this whole "e-mail thing." So confusing! Kind of miss the ol' pen & paper! Hey I think Radio Shack might be clos


October 26, 2006

Sorry it's been so long, Kemosabe!! Remember a few years ago when I was arrested for drinking too much Lite beer and then digging a tunnel behind your elementary school to search for "gold"? And I had to go upstate for a little while? Well, if you can believe it, I'm back! (Word to the wise: Don't ever break probation by taking a bath in a public fountain. And if you must, kiddo, don't do it in a Nordstrom's during "peak hours.") So, guess what?!!! Your old man is now teaching computers! Can Rick do that? I mean, on the older models? The computers with no "mouses" and with the monitors chained to their desks? Ain't no thang, as Tara Reid might say! According to my newspaper pillow, she's the hottest young actress in the world ... Am I right or am I right? Peace. DAD


November 8, 2006

HEY, MARCUS! ... I'm learning more and more about this rap music that you like so much!!! It's true! Each and every night, usually incredibly late, say at 1, 2, or even 5 o'clock in the morning, I'll just sit back and listen to this incredible music blasting so astonishingly loud and I'll just "chill." The violent imagery and the dirty words are simply TERRIFIC! Hang on a sec, my boy, looks like a few of the students are growing increasingly restless. "Dad the Music Lover" has to transform himself into "Dad the Professor" ... HEY! Can I give you a "ring" on your "cell" after I'm finished with this on-line poker "session"? Would you accept the charges this time? I just adore these old-fashioned phones! So easy to use! Marcus, I love you so very much! Laughing Out Loud But Also Sort of Crying Because I'm Not With You and Also Because I'm Now Being Choked by an Incredibly Large Man with a Homemade Tattoo of a Good Luck Shamrock on the Base of His Penis. Just like in a musical video, right? Who's still "KEEPIN' IT REAL"?!!! I am! Don't U Ever 4-Get About Me!! —Dad

P.S. By the way, what's the emoticon, or whatever it's called, for "Kinda Need Help!"? No rush. Whnver you have a mnute. Thx! :)

- - - -

OTHER McSWEENEY'S FEATURES:

- - - -

A Web Log or "Blog" Started in an Attempt for Me, Gary Kimball, to Get Closer to My 15-Year-Old Son, Marcus, Who's Living With His Mom and Her New Husband, Rick By Mike Sacks and Ted Travelstead
Unveiled in Yemen: The Bravest 13-Year-Old Girl in the World
Poems That Were Considered and Rejected Before 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Was Established as "the Official American Christmas Poem" By Frank Gannon
Recently Retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan Warns His New Puppy Against "Irrational Exuberance" By Michael Ward
Situations in Which I Would Be Willing to Die a Premature Death By Zhubin Parang

- - - -

MAIN PAGE   |   ARCHIVES

 

Memories of Amanda Davis

 


Red dot denotes content that is new today.

Black dot denotes newish content.

McSWEENEY'S STORE

SUBSCRIBE TO:
McSWEENEY'S
THE BELIEVER
WHOLPHIN

FUTURE McSWEENEY'S BOOKS

THE AMANDA DAVIS HIGHWIRE FICTION AWARD

INVITE A McSWEENEY'S AUTHOR TO SPEAK IN YOUR TOWN OR COLLEGE

THE BEST AMERICAN NONREQUIRED READING

McSWEENEY'S MONTHLY MAILING LIST

McSWEENEY'S-RELATED EVENTS AND VARIOUS TOUR DATES

ORDER INQUIRIES AND ADDRESS CHANGES

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
FOR BOOKS
FOR THE QUARTERLY
FOR THE WEBSITE
FOR WHOLPHIN

McSWEENEY'S INTERNSHIPS

CONTACT US

- - - -

LETTERS TO McSWEENEY'S

LISTS

McSWEENEY'S PREDICTS

McSWEENEY'S RECOMMENDS

NEW WHOLPHIN FILM

DAN LIEBERT, VERBAL CARTOONIST

JOKES BY BRIAN BEATTY

REVIEWS OF NEW FOOD

DISPATCHES FROM MOSCOW

SO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT?

DISPATCHES FROM THE ANACOSTIA

THE WINNER'S CIRCLE WITH ERIC FEEZELL

BEN GREENMAN'S FAKE CELEBRITY MUSICALS

DISPATCHES FROM A HUMANITARIAN JOURNALIST

DEB OLIN UNFERTH'S SICK OF THE REVOLUTION

DISPATCHES FROM IRAQ

SHORT IMAGINED MONOLOGUES

PHILIP GRAHAM SPENDS A YEAR IN LISBON

STAINED TEETH: A COLUMN ABOUT WINE

DISPATCHES FROM THE NAPOLEONIC WARS AT THE MET

KEVIN DOLGIN TELLS YOU ABOUT PLACES YOU SHOULD GO IN EUROPE

SONGS OF ENEMIES AND DESERTS: LIVING WITH THE SUDAN LIBERATION ARMY

LAWRENCE WESCHLER'S EVERYTHING THAT RISES: A BOOK OF CONVERGENCES

THE CONVERGENCES CONTEST

ABOUT WHAT IS THE WHAT

ABOUT BOWL OF CHERRIES

ABOUT COMEDY BY THE NUMBERS

ABOUT JOHN BRANDON'S ARKANSAS

ABOUT MICHAEL CHABON'S MAPS AND LEGENDS

ABOUT UNDERGROUND AMERICA

ABOUT DEB OLIN UNFERTH'S VACATION

LETTERS FROM AN EARTH BALL TO, OR CONCERNING, SEAN HANNITY

DISPATCHES FROM ADJUNCT FACULTY AT A LARGE STATE UNIVERSITY

ADVICE FROM A PERSON WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY

DISPATCHES FROM THE NBA ENTERTAINMENT LEAGUE

JOHN MOE'S POP-SONG CORRESPONDENCES

B.R. COHEN'S ANNALS OF SCIENCE

INTERVIEWS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL JOBS

OPEN LETTERS TO PEOPLE OR ENTITIES WHO ARE UNLIKELY TO RESPOND

DISPATCHES FROM A PUBLIC LIBRARIAN

MICHAEL IAN BLACK IS A VERY FAMOUS CELEBRITY

DISPATCHES FROM ROY KESEY, AN AMERICAN GUY MARRIED TO
A PERUVIAN DIPLOMAT LIVING IN CHINA


STEPHEN ELLIOTT'S POKER REPORT

- - - -

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL