journal features

second secret bonus level of fatherhood

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2013.12.21

Today I made The Boy laugh milk through his nose. I suggested to Mari that I bathe one of the kids. She said, "Are you well enough?" because I have a funny stomach bug that involved exhaustion and oddly mild nausea. I said, "Yes, well enough to bathe one." I turned to The Boy and told him, "Which do want to bathe with?" meaning either his mother or me. He pointed at his little sister. "Fine, you bathe her," I told him. "I'll bathe your mother."

That's when it happened.

rand()m quote

The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov