[ ERIC_FOLTIN ]

  • Powered by Love, Dogs, and Caffein

    What simple thing makes your day better? Today’s official writing prompt did absolutely nothing for me. So I scrapped it, wrote my own prompt instead, and actually enjoyed writing. My blog. My rules. Some people chase happiness by buying a new car, flying to some overpriced beach, or spending three hours making the perfect Instagram…

  • The Biggest Lie We Were Told in School

    What’s something you used to believe as a kid that seems ridiculous now? When I was a kid, teachers always had one line they loved to throw at us whenever we complained about math. “You need to learn this because you won’t always have a calculator with you.” That turned out to be complete bullshit.…

  • What Piece of Media Changed How I See the World?

    Music. Specifically, punk rock. I’ve been listening to punk since I was a teenager, and now I’m in my mid-50s. It’s one of the few things that’s stayed with me through every stage of life. Bands have come and gone, trends have changed, and technology has completely rewritten the world, but punk has always been…

  • English. That’s All I Need.

    Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life? My answer is simple. English. That’s it. I’ve never felt like I was missing out because I only speak one language. Would it be cool to understand conversations in another language? Sure. But it’s never been something I’ve needed in my everyday life.…

  • The Ending Willy Wonka Deserved… Or at Least Grandpa Joe Did

    If you could change the ending of any book, which one would it be? If I could change the ending of any book, it wouldn’t take me long to pick Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Not because of Willy Wonka. That guy was eccentric, probably violated every workplace safety regulation imaginable, and definitely would’ve had…

  • When The Sky Opened Up

    There are storms, and then there are storms that make you wonder if somebody upstairs accidentally tipped over a giant bucket. Last night was one of those storms. The rain came down hard and fast. Within a short time, roads were underwater, parking lots turned into lakes, and vehicles were stranded where parking spaces used…

  • No Hashtag Necessary

    Who are you most inspired by? If I had to pick the people who inspire me the most, it wouldn’t be celebrities, influencers, executives, or any of the other professional attention seekers the internet keeps trying to sell us. It’s the people who just do the damn thing. The guy who quietly volunteers every week…

  • Reality Doesn’t Care About Your Feelings

    What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you? The best advice I’d give to someone younger than me is simple: You are not entitled to a damn thing. Not happiness. Not success. Not a good job. Not a nice house. Not respect. Not even a participation trophy for existing. The world doesn’t…

  • Stop Waiting For Someone To Save You

    What’s your top tip to be successful in life? My top tip for being successful in life comes down to two things. First, make yourself happy. Nobody else is going to do that shit for you. That’s one of the biggest lies people buy into. They spend years waiting for more money, a better job,…

  • The Most Gen X Movie Ever Made

    Some movies are great. Some movies are classics. Then there’s Clerks, a black-and-white masterpiece that somehow turned standing behind a convenience store counter into one of the most quotable films ever made. If I could erase one movie from my memory and experience it again for the first time, Clerks would be at the top…