There is a massive winter storm barreling toward us right now, expected to arrive in the next 18 or so hours. Yesterday, it was unseasonably warm and stupidly beautiful. Today, it’s eerily calm, under grey skies. The air is so still, it carries the train whistles from all the way across the valley, and every lawnmower in town sounds like it’s next door. You walk outside, and everything just says, soon.1 Even the corvids and squirrels seem reluctant to come out of the trees, It never rains in Southern California, man. It pours.
This past weekend, though, it was great, and I was grateful for it.
Last Friday, Anne and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. We have both been so busy and overwhelmed for so long, we planned to skip our usual weekend getaway and just go out for a really fancy dinner, instead. So we went to Mozza in Hollywood, where I think Anne discovered that pasta can actually be wonderful and not what her husband struggles to assemble in our kitchen.
We had such a wonderful meal, and such a nice time out, on a Friday night like PEOPLE WHO GO OUT TO DO THINGS! And that would have been enough, but about two weeks ago, Anne said that she was really missing our usual weekend away, and how did I feel about using points to go somewhere close? I admitted that I, too, was feeling sad we weren’t going to have two days of absolutely nothing but Us. Funny how we both really wanted to do this together, but kept talking ourselves out of it because we’d agreed together that we would.
Anyway, she found a place, cashed in some points, and we spent the weekend up in Santa Barbara. It was nothing but long walks, petting dogs, eating incredible food, and prioritizing each other, our relationship, our friendship, and our marriage. Each of us truly is married to our best friend, and even after 26 years (30+ total), we still have all kinds of fun goofing off together. We have consistently done the hard work of being married and being a family, and that investment pays off at like fifty million percent all the time.
It’s just like … it’s such a blessing and so awesome to spend our lives together, and be mom and dad to our kids. We have worked really hard for a good life, and I’m grateful that I’ve worked so hard to heal my PTSD, so I can actually enjoy living it.
And now…
This week’s story dropped earlier today! It is Disassembling Light, by Kel Coleman. It originally appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies issue 385.
This is a magical story (meaning that Magic features prominently in the narrative) about a man who holds tremendous knowledge and skill in his heart, and the hopeful apprentice who comes to learn from him. It also makes me wonder what good is knowledge, if its holder doesn’t freely share it?
You can get It’s Storytime With Wil Wheaton wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s some links to the more popular services:
- Apple Podcasts
- PocketCast
- Pandora
- iHeart
- Amazon
- or grab the RSS directly from me right here. (Yo! Old school RSS subscribers, I see you and finger your .plan!)
You can also support the show on Patreon, where you’ll get the show with no ads, as well as some spiffy extras that all the cool kids are into these days.
Today, I recorded two episodes. One of the things we did is the most beautiful, heartbreaking, I-need-a-minute-to-compose-myself story I have read in a long, long time. I’m so excited for you to hear it. It’s also the source of the show’s first official blooper, where you will get to hear me use all my, uh, colorful metaphors in rather creative ways.
I would absolutely love to hear your feedback on the show, if you’re a listener. I feel like we’re doing good work, and putting good art into the world, but I have no idea what the audience thinks if I don’t ask, because we aren’t exactly in a theater together. Although, if I can figure out how to stage one of these stories, I’m into seeing what that would look and sound like. Maybe something cool is there, way off in the mysterious future.
- Unfortunately, it’s not the soon we are all waiting for ↩︎
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Congrats, you two! Your happiness brings me such joy.
“Unfortunately, it’s not the soon we are all waiting for” …dammit
Happy Anniversary Will and Anne!🥳 this was a real joy to read, Will.
I think it’s a wonderful thing that you are married to your best friend! I recently downloaded the iPod app and am looking forward to listening to your podcast! Happy Blogging 💫✍️💫
Glad to hear you had a wonderful time together. Being married to your best friend is a great gift.
I love the show! The stories are entertaining and just the right length (if not a little too short!). I like your brief intros. I would love to hear some of your thoughts on each story- I think right now those might just be on the patreon but even a short few sentences about why you chose the story or how you connected with it would be a welcome addition.
Hi Erika! Thanks for listening. I do exactly what you’re asking about. I call them the Codas, and they’re a Patreon perk.
I think that one of the early episodes included a Coda, but if that’s not accurate, I’ll talk with my team about including one in an upcoming episode, so Patreon-curious listeners can hear what that sounds like.
I haven’t listened to this story yet, but I just wanted to say that you and Anne are the most wonderful couple I have ever met and I wish you all the continuing love forever!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I heard/watched you read one of your stories on the Star Trek cruise, and it was so good! Would love to hear another in-person reading if that were ever possible.
In the meantime, thank you SO MUCH for keeping me entertained while I run and hike!
Happy anniversary. I’m happy you had a chance for a short getaway, but try and remember any time you spend with her is a gift. It’s far too easy to take it for granted. Try not to, you never know how much time you get.
< steps down from soap box>
Love story time. No matter the legit this season I keep feeling the end comes too quick. But I guess it’s a good thing to leave us wanting more.
What a nice end to my birthday; Wil writes another great blog, there’s a new Storytime and earlier today, 3 Epstein emails were released, DT humiliates himself yet again and the piece de resistance, Adelita Grijalva is sworn in and casts her vote to force the vote on releasing what we’ve all been waiting for. And yes, soon on the other thing. Thanks Wil.
Happy anniversary!
First of all, congratulations and happy anniversary! How wonderful that you have each other. I don’t think there is much better in life than being married to your best friend! I’m so glad you took the time to get away together – even on a mini holiday. That’s so healthy for you! Secondly, and I’m really sorry about this, I haven’t had a chance to listen to your latest stories and I’ve been meaning to get caught up for a week. I’m so excited to hear them – need to make this a priority tomorrow. I’ve been absorbed with my son who is taking English this semester and it is his worst subject. It makes me so sad, because I was pretty good in English (mostly – depending on the teacher), but he’s got ADHD and autism and both those things fight against his ability to sit still and focus and also to parse through characters and themes and be able to articulate those. I mean, he’s a genius in math and science -why can’t kids just take the subjects that they enjoy and are good at? … it probably doesn’t help that the novel he has to write about is not exactly award winning material… ugh. So, I’ve been preoccupied trying to think of strategies that will help him get through this and then when he is home, trying to work through those strategies with him with greater or lesser success. sigh. I thought that when I was done high school I’d never have to deal with it again. I didn’t take into account I’d have to face it with my kids. :(. School shouldn’t be trauma inducing.
Love the pod! I start out listening thinking, hey, cool, it’s Wil Wheaton, reading me a story. Eventually, though, it’s a story unspooling directly in my head — your narration BECOMES the story, if that makes any sense. I listen to A LOT of podcasts and I don’t think anyone else has the ability to consistently make me forget that I’m listening and let me just immerse myself in the experience. Am in awe of your skill. As soon as cash flow allows, I’m definitely joining the Patreon. Thank you for sharing your stories!
So glad you are married to your best friend. It’s a precious thing.
Truly awesome! Congrats!!
Hi Wil, Beautiful work as always, sharing the world of the story with us.
spoilers
But I continue to wonder why do we write stories like this one. About people that clearly shouldn’t be admired, or looked up to. That shouldn’t be a teacher, or in a position to become one. Who shouldn’t be the gatekeeper on a gift that should be encourage or nurtured. I finished this story almost angry, at the main character, for being a terrible person, for being exactly like his father, for continuing the cycle of abuse that he endured. But he’ll never see justice, and he’s destroyed one persons life, despite his self-assurances to the contrary. All to justify a rule he created, that serves no purpose other than to justify his own insecurities. It’s a well written, and superbly performed work, but I hated the story and I don’t like that it gives immortality to someone that doesn’t deserve it.
Hi Wil, Beautiful work as always, sharing the world of the story with us.
spoilers
But I continue to wonder why do we write stories like this one. About people that clearly shouldn’t be admired, or looked up to. That shouldn’t be a teacher, or in a position to become one. Who shouldn’t be the gatekeeper on a gift that should be encourage or nurtured. I finished this story almost angry, at the main character, for being a terrible person, for being exactly like his father, for continuing the cycle of abuse that he endured. But he’ll never see justice, and he’s destroyed one persons life, despite his self-assurances to the contrary. All to justify a rule he created, that serves no purpose other than to justify his own insecurities. It’s a well written, and superbly performed work, but I hated the story and I don’t like that it gives immortality to someone that doesn’t deserve it.
I am loving the stories as well. Now that I’m heading back to work, I’ll need the company on my bus rides.
Thanks for sharing your weekend! Congrats on the anniversary. I’m taking this as an active reminder to make time for my wife and I as well. Consciously jamming “to-do’s” into a weekend won’t give us time for ourselves and our connection.
That’s awesome! Happy anniversary to you and Anne! My wife and I celebrated our 26th year being married in August. Gosh, we both were born in 1972 and we both got married the same year. Cool!
<Did_we_just_become_best_friends.gif>
I wish it was a live theater because I would give you the loudest, most positive feedback. It’s amazing so far. In fact, remember the chapter of your book you read on the cruise last year and how much we all loved it and you? That’s how much we love the podcast too. Keep reading to us Wil!!!
“The warm before the storm” is always a treat. And sometimes rather ominous….