22 Comments
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Steve E.'s avatar

Solid story! Fun fact: I drove a '01 Taurus for years though it was not baby-shit brown.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

This will not make you happy but I looked up "what is the saddest car" and that was one of the contenders!

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Steve E.'s avatar

Haha. Aww, what did the Taurus ever do to anybody? I loved that car. It was damn sturdy and reliable (so would make a stable mobile home). I passed mine onto my brother-in-law and he’s got it up to 300,000+ miles.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

I know, right? Thanks again for the kind words about the story.

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Siel Ju's avatar

Currently reading Make It Stop!

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Amy Wallen's avatar

I was in CT this weekend too. So beautiful with all the rain and trees starting to change. I was in Western CT. Maybe you saw me with a bunch of dogs and dog lovers.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Ha! I was on the coast and made a quick trip to Newtown. Not a fan of the weather!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

The story is great.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Thank you! It has Jimmy Doom vibes for sure!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

One quick note: the mag version is missing the word "end" in the ballistic scene. Not a huge deal but I would want someone to tell me.

Did you give me an address to send you my new book? I need that.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Typos fixed!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Good. I forgot to mention how brilliant the " guided tour of your own city" bit was. I'm jealous of that one and kinda want to do it in real life.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Thank you! It's hard because it involved STFU!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'm not good at S ( ing ) TFU

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Thank you! I sent that correction along. Much appreciated!

I haven't sent the address because I haven't sent you money yet!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

If I was worried about the money I wouldn't have brought it up. I want you to have the book for your many travels ( and of course wouldn't mind joining you for some readings, somewhere )

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Are you back in LA?

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Great story! Was not the ending I expected.

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Travis DeVore's avatar

Really enjoyed the story. Love lines like, "To pass the time, he listens to tapes on an old tape player. How to Speak Spanish in Seven Easy Lessons. Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad." Makes me wonder what books I could live inside of for months/years at a time.

I have a friend who just turned 50. Would definitely like to grab a copy of "Corporate Rock Sucks" from you. Makes for a great gift. Let me know how to proceed. Safe travels.

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Jim Ruland's avatar

Thanks, Travis! Send me your address and I'll reply with my Venmo. FWIW I have those Lord Jim tapes used to listen all the time.

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Travis DeVore's avatar

Thanks. Is there a way to directly send you my address? Or in this case, my friend's address?

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Jim Ruland's avatar

If you get the newsletter via email reply there!

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