Wow. That’s incredible. I don’t know what else to say . It kind of reminds me when I started a non profit to give away thousands of free books every week to my commuters. I didn’t expect any reaction at all. Just my small way to give back. But it boomed out of proportion and we were written up about by all sorts of media— the New Yorker included. But we collected the books in drop boxes kept at Whole Foods and other places. I wasn’t nearly courageous enough to slip in my own work.
I am a post-“free-words” relationship. I do know you as non-obedient without ever knowing that was the word for it. And I am delighted to find just how non-obedient you are. I just might try some myself!
Wow Sal. I’ve known you way longer than the Free Words project but this is the first I’ve heard of it, as we lost touch for a long time. I was living across the river in 2001 in what I thought at the time was a life non-obedient. More civil disobedient. This essay has 🔥 lit up some new/old pathways in my brain. I am going to try to slow down long enough to feel the effects.
Sal! I adore the pivot in your naming of your substack page! Back to the past but also forward to the future. The Free Words experiment captivates me. As always, you’ve given me a raft of ideas to think about! 🙏🏻
That makes me happy! There is more memoir to come, and I’m finding that connecting with my past work is giving me more energy and freedom for the future.
Wow. That’s incredible. I don’t know what else to say . It kind of reminds me when I started a non profit to give away thousands of free books every week to my commuters. I didn’t expect any reaction at all. Just my small way to give back. But it boomed out of proportion and we were written up about by all sorts of media— the New Yorker included. But we collected the books in drop boxes kept at Whole Foods and other places. I wasn’t nearly courageous enough to slip in my own work.
I love that you did that, Buku. If you write about it some time please be sure to let me know.
I am a post-“free-words” relationship. I do know you as non-obedient without ever knowing that was the word for it. And I am delighted to find just how non-obedient you are. I just might try some myself!
Your pieces project has some of the same energy!
yes, that is meeeeeee, a free words fan foreverrrrrrrr
Mutual fandom!
Wow Sal. I’ve known you way longer than the Free Words project but this is the first I’ve heard of it, as we lost touch for a long time. I was living across the river in 2001 in what I thought at the time was a life non-obedient. More civil disobedient. This essay has 🔥 lit up some new/old pathways in my brain. I am going to try to slow down long enough to feel the effects.
Oh, I’m excited to see what results! And I’m curious about your civilly disobedient years!
Sal! I adore the pivot in your naming of your substack page! Back to the past but also forward to the future. The Free Words experiment captivates me. As always, you’ve given me a raft of ideas to think about! 🙏🏻
That makes me happy! There is more memoir to come, and I’m finding that connecting with my past work is giving me more energy and freedom for the future.
This is really inventive in its description of non-obedience as a practice. I was fascinated from start to finish. Loved it.
'Nonobedience' is great. Makes me wonder where I am doing this already and where I can bring in a bit more.
Love this so much! Looking forward to more memoir!!