Reality TV has managed to commodify everything we used to think of as the elements of normal life. Merrill Markoe More Quotes by Merrill Markoe More Quotes From Merrill Markoe I sometimes look into the face of my dog Stan and see a wistful sadness and existential angst, when all he is actually doing is slowly scanning the ceiling for flies. Merrill Markoe ceilingssadnessdog I always hated those classic kid movies like Old Yeller or The Yearling where the beloved pet dies. What would be so wrong with having those damn kids learn their lessons about mortality from watching Grandpa kick? Then at least the dog would be around to comfort them. Merrill Markoe grandpadogkids Men who have a lot of charm have it in place of something real that you are eventually going to want from them and find that they do not have. Merrill Markoe realwantmen When anyone lacks self-awareness and doesn't recognize their transparencies, it's always funny. Merrill Markoe transparencyawarenessself Here’s what I learned: First thing in the morning, before I have drowned myself in coffee, while I still have that sleepy brain I used to believe was useless — that is the best brain for creative writing. Words come pouring out easily while my head still feels as if it is full of ground fog, wrapped in flannel and gauze, and surrounded by a hive of humming, velvety sleep bees. Merrill Markoe coffeemorningbelieve I’ve made my life’s work spotting assholes. And you know, I think it’s harder now than ever before because there’s so many socially acceptable ways to exhibit a pathological lack of empathy. Merrill Markoe empathywaythinking Every moment of your life that is not a complete nightmare is happiness. Merrill Markoe complete-happinessnightmaremoments The phrase "singular incredible life" seems to me that it applies more appropriately to Jane Goodall or David Attenborough, people I regard with awe and who stand for great humanism and knowledge. Merrill Markoe incrediblesphrasespeople whenever I encountered a slide show titled 'Eight Diet Foods That Pack on the Pounds' or 'Celebrity Fashion Fails,' I'd have to stop and investigate because hey, it might be information I'd need in some unforeseeable future where I had become, for some reason, a fat celebrity. Merrill Markoe eightfashionmight Beware the man who doesn't ask you any questions about yourself on your first date. Merrill Markoe first-datemenfirsts My goal was always getting my work out in the world, and in many ways, I feel like the luckiest person alive. Merrill Markoe work-outalivegoal When you have been writing for a lot of years, you have to make an effort not to start repeating yourself. It occurred to me that I tended to tread certain ground automatically, because it was comfortable, but that there were areas I avoided automatically because they made me nervous. Merrill Markoe effortwritingyears No one would argue against the fact that L.A. leads the country in opportunities for being hip and pretentious. Merrill Markoe opportunitycountryfacts Beware the cute, hot guy who kind of reminds you of the parent you don't get along with: your cold, distant father who left when you were a kid or your hot-tempered mother whom you could never please. Merrill Markoe mothercutefather Some people know that they are so adorable looking, all they have to do is smile and dress up and they get plenty from that. Then there are some of us who, early on, see that that doesn't work. So we joke about it. Merrill Markoe smileadorablepeople I care about being creative and productive. Merrill Markoe productivecarecreative My dogs, the only creatures on the planet marked by my singular nurturing imprint, have all turned out to be rude and self-absorbed. In all likelihood, if they were children instead of dogs, I would have foisted more Charlie Sheens or Kardashians onto our crumbling culture. Merrill Markoe selfdogchildren A more complex - but only slightly more original - way to feel out of it is available at the hip and pretentious nightclubs and bars along the Sunset Strip. Merrill Markoe sunsetbarsway Since - in my belief system - we each get only one go-round here on planet Earth, it is the task of the writer to interpret, examine, and reflect on the specifics of their one and only life experience. Merrill Markoe tasksbeliefearth Reality television is a scripted hyper-life that employs writers, but won't allow them to call themselves writers or join the union. Merrill Markoe unionsrealitytelevision
