A quick note before I move out.

Monday Mutiny | May 25th, 2026: Happy Monday. Below are five things that challenged, motivated, or entertained me this past week — hopefully they will do the same for you.

(1) Today’s edition is going to be short and sweet because I’m moving — yes, again — into my new place later this afternoon. For lack of a better word, the last few years have felt wildly “unstable,” but I’m determined to correct that and I can already feel a positive shift in the momentum, which has me genuinely excited for what’s coming next.

Will it be easy? Hell no.

But will it be enjoyable? I think so.

And I believe that is the balance that makes life meaningful: hard, but fun.

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(2) I’ve found this quote particularly true as of late.

“Nothing can be gained without losing something, even heaven demands death.”

—Seneca (an abbreviated interpretation of ‘De Providentia’)

(3) I was at the park a few afternoons ago with Ethan when another dad came up to me and said casually, “Hey, man, I can’t remember your name, but I just want you to know that your writing has really helped me.”

We chatted a bit and he continued with, “You know, you seem so cynical online, but here, at this park with your son, you’re so joyful.”

This is not the first time that I’ve heard something like this. I consider myself a seriously unserious person; that is, I’m serious about my work and what I want from life, but I’m unserious about pretty much everything else.

Anyway, if you ever see me at the park, come say “Hi” — I promise I’m not a scary guy.

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(4) I took myself on a solo date to go see that new Obsession movie that everyone seems to be obsessed with — and, holy shit — that movie is craaazy. It’s a grotesque portrayal of co-dependency, perfectly illustrating why it’s never a good idea to force a relationship with someone who actually doesn’t want to be with you.

Now, I’m typically not a fan of gratuitous gore for gore’s sake, but in this instance, it works. The blood and bricks add to the intensity of the interpersonal shitshow that is Inde Navarrette’s incredibly uncomfortable performance. She’s the epitome of that “Overly Attached Girlfriend” meme that was popular around 2013.

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(5) Speaking of movies, I’m still trying to make some headway on the production of the screenplay that I finished a few months ago, but I’ve had some promising phone calls lately (it feels like it might happen).

For as long as I’ve been a writer, I’ve wanted to write movies. Unfortunately, I spent many years talking myself out of it. So, if there’s one thing that I’m planning to do differently as I embark on this next phase of my life, it’s this: I’m going to talk myself into more things than I talk myself out of — starting with convincing myself that my new house needs a gargoyle.

Thanks for reading.

As always, I appreciate your time, support, and attention.

—KC