Cullen left. It's unclear if he has dumped Melissa. I think he has. (If you missed earlier installments on this story, here's where I find Cullen in Melissa's bed.)
This photo is from when Cullen was excited to be in lots of photos on my blog.

It was the day that a TV writer emailed me about adapting my blog for the big screen. Or semi-big screen. Or whatever we are calling TV now, but I have to say, as an aside, that TV is the new hipster medium because episodes allow for more character development than a single movie. I heard this from the Farmer, and he's not a guy who could make this stuff up. And we are watching Breaking Bad and I want to be absurd and funny like those writers.
This is what happened with Cullen. He agreed to redesign my blog in exchange for free room and board. And then he realized he didn't have time to do that, because he has a full time job.
Meanwhile, we were having big Facebook drama on the farm because Melissa does not feel like she has a boyfriend unless the guy puts in on his Facebook status. So Cullen did that.
And then, the day after the status changed I told them that I think they need to live together as boyfriend and girlfriend somewhere else because it's not working for us here on the farm.
So Cullen went back to Austin. He told Melissa that she can come back with him, but he doesn't want to live with her.
Melissa said, "How come you want to live with me on the farm but you don't want to live with me in Austin?"
Cullen said, "I don't know. That's a good question."
Melissa decided to stay on the farm. Cullen decided to go. But they decided that neither of them will change their Facebook status. Cullen said, "I'll be back." And maybe to show that, or maybe because they were so cheap, he left his green rubber boots behind.

We said goodbye to Cullen at 6am when he left to catch an 8:30 am plane. Melissa drove him to the airport.
But not really. Because five minutes after Cullen says to me, "Okay. See you soon. I'll be back," he said to Melissa in the car, "I actually don't have a plane ticket. I have a train ticket. I just didn't want to tell Penelope."
I'm not sure why. I do not have anything against trains.
Three days pass. Cullen writes an email to Melissa explaining why he had to leave. We read it at lunch even though I told Melissa she is not allowed to bring her iPhone to lunch.
The Farmer reads the email and says, "Guys should never send stuff to girls in writing. They just show it to all their friends."
Melissa tells me she is going to die if I don't write on my blog that Cullen and Melissa are not together. "I need closure," she says.
I tell her I have to write about careers.
Melissa says, "Why? You never write about careers. Anyway, look at James Altucher. He's a finance blogger who doesn't force himself to focus on finance. And we love reading his blog."
"When I am independently wealthy like James Altucher then I'll write about your love life."
The Farmer says, "Penelope's career advice chapters are like the whaling chapters in Moby Dick. You like the storyline about psychotic behavior, but you need the whaling chapters to keep things based in reality."
I wish there were something on Facebook for me to quantify how much I am in love with the Farmer. I give him a ten for his combination of intellect and strength to hold my goat down so I can milk her. I think maybe I can make a plan for my blog that is a little scary because I feel secure with the Farmer. You need to feel secure in one place to create instability in another.
Melissa gives me more blogging instructions: "I want to make sure you write that I'm sad."
The Farmer shakes his head. "No. You can't do that."
"Why?" I ask.
"Do you two know anything about playing hard to get?"
I laugh. The Farmer broke up with me about 50 times. Twenty-five of those times were because he thought he should be the one doing the chasing. "Guys do the chasing," he would tell me. And then I'd kiss him.
"No," I say. "Melissa and I have no idea how to play hard to get."
The Farmer says, "You cannot email Cullen to tell him you miss him. That gives him an opening. He left, and he has to make his own opening to come back. People care more about their plans if they make the plan themselves."
This seems true. It seems true for all plans. For all departures. For all entrances. And you can tell if it's your own plan by how lost you feel. People who do their own plans feel lost most of the time. People who do other peoples' plans feel on track most of the time.
Melissa says, "Fine. Is that going to be your post? Fine. But I want to take a picture for the blog post about being sad."






Can we read more about the goats? They're more attractive, more intelligent, and more interesting than those two inconsequential airheads you're boring us with.
Posted by Ann on May 31, 2011 at 6:35 am | permalink |
Ann, have you considered that this might not be the best blog for you? Just a thought…
Posted by Tiffany on May 31, 2011 at 12:53 pm | permalink |
Agreed!! It's a few days into their new relationship, and Melissa can't be bothered to look happy, or…pulse-ish. Maybe they both knew that Cullen was about to dump her. That would explain her expression, and CERTAINLY explains his! Sorry…not a Melissa fan. Either she's not as brilliant as you think she is, or you've just been keeping her brilliance to yourself. I'm a fan of the farmer.
I love the goat pictures – they are definitely worthy of more space in your blog.
Posted by ResuMAYDAY on May 31, 2011 at 9:56 pm | permalink |
The farmer is right and the goat has the best fashion sense.
Posted by Bill on May 31, 2011 at 6:38 am | permalink |
The farmer is a wise, wise man.
Posted by MJ on May 31, 2011 at 9:18 am | permalink |
Love the goat in the boots! Great shot.
Sorry for Melissa but she should get over it rather quickly since they weren't together long enough to really get into it…..
Posted by Roberta Warshaw on May 31, 2011 at 6:41 am | permalink |
That doesn't mean that what they had wasn't real or that she didn't really care about him or that she won't miss them. You can't just say "Oh she should get over him quickly; they weren't together long enough for anything" because you don't know them, don't know how they actually felt.
Posted by Jacob Roeland on May 31, 2011 at 12:08 pm | permalink |
Yes! People care more about their plans if they make themselves. and yes again! People who do their own plans feel lost most of the time. I think that's the whole appeal of your blog–from someone who feels lost most of the time. And furthermore yes! you need to feel secure in one place to create instability in another. The story about the star crossed lovers is just an entry point. Thanks for a terrific post.
Posted by Sally on May 31, 2011 at 6:57 am | permalink |
Those goats are so cute and your pics are really improving…
I agree with the other reader, I also want to read more about the goats and the farm. Your posts make me miss being on one.
Personally, I think the farmer has a lot of good advice.
Posted by Ella on May 31, 2011 at 7:02 am | permalink |
The end is so damn hilarious. I really wanna know whose idea was it to take the pics of the goat with the boots. And you are so right about people who do their own plans feel lost most of the time. Really good post.
Posted by sadya on May 31, 2011 at 7:05 am | permalink |
I remember a crude joke about barn boots and sheep (or in Cullen's a case a goat). Seems like it was something about beasteality…
Posted by former shepherd on May 31, 2011 at 7:13 am | permalink |
First, Melissa is darling! And Cullen's green boots? Also darling. And the goat playing with Cullen's green boots? Even more darling! Lots of cuteness in this post.
And the Farmer is so right… we do care more, when we make our own plans.
I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Cullen. There are always twists and turns in life. If he wants to come back, he'll find a way.
Posted by cheryl on May 31, 2011 at 7:20 am | permalink |
You can write that script yourself. This post totally reads like a great tv episode.
Posted by Chedva on May 31, 2011 at 7:28 am | permalink |
I pretty much love everything about this post.
Posted by AJ on May 31, 2011 at 7:37 am | permalink |
I see many lessons in this post. Lessons that apply across the lines–could be career lessons, could be relationship lessons, could be start-up lessons, could be plain ole wisdom, hard-won:
You can only take so much of total immersion. Then you have to take a step back and ask yourself if you are heading towards fanaticism. Falling in love is a kind of fanaticism . . . IMO.
Blending families is fraught.
If you are making your own plans v going with someone else's plans, you will find out how generous you are/feel. You will find out if you can compromise and how much you are willing to compromise. You may find out that you know little about how to be generous . . . that you were never "taught" this skill/quality. You may want to teach yourself how to be generous and how to compromise.
Playing hard to get is just a way of testing a relationship, testing the other in a relationship. It amounts to stressing the other/relationship in order to see how strong it is. It is like pushing–like the army where you do a gazillion push-ups when the sergeant says so. No good reason except to assess your "loyalty". If you like this style, you should be in the army . . . IMO.
No face time. Indirect forms of communication. No sex = More tests; = More push-me-pull-me.
It isn't working out for you at the farm. On the farm, there is the original family, only recently stabilized. There is added livestock, a new business or two, gardens, fields to tend, and the original animal husbandry. Coming up is the summer, where 2 boys need a lot of input, supervision, teaching, coaching in order to take their next steps. The kids, though they weren't mentioned in this post, should take top priority. Give them your best energies! IMO.
The stability is precious. Cultivate it.
Posted by chris Keller on May 31, 2011 at 7:48 am | permalink |
The farmer is right. In this post the eclectic world-traveling careerist Melissa comes off like a needy schoolgirl. Of course Cullen has probably already read this, so the hard-to-get angle is blown.
Posted by Brad on May 31, 2011 at 7:56 am | permalink |
I am pretty certain that every woman who is a world-traveler careerist has, at times, been a needy schoolgirl as well. Women are complicated. Everyone is complicated.
This reminds me of when I read that it's common knowledge among call girls that the more power the guy has in business the more likely he is going to want to be dominated in some weird, nonstandard way in bed. Reading this info made me realize that men who have huge careers and put their I'm-a-leader selves up front all day long are just like everyone else in that they are multifaceted, with different needs in different circumstances. Actually, the image of the CEO as a masochist really liberated me to think outside of hierarchies at work.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on May 31, 2011 at 12:51 pm | permalink |
I feel unsteady. I must have a good plan. And I am so happy you are finding stability on the farm.
Posted by aMY parmenter on May 31, 2011 at 8:07 am | permalink |
This post is perfect because it reveals the personalities of three different characters so effectively. You know just what to share with us to give us a glimpse into who they are. I know why you love Melissa. She reminds me of one of my 5 daughters. And I know why you are so much in love with your Farmer because I have one just like him. Sometimes they say things and you just want to write down the wisdom, the witticisms, the Farmer-isms, so you can keep them to share again later. And sometimes you're lucky enough to have a notebook handy. And a camera. Looking forward to hearing more about the TV developments. I hope they can bring your true voice to a script so we don't lose any of you.
Posted by Diana Fisher on May 31, 2011 at 8:09 am | permalink |
Brilliant. I totally get it. Well done.
Posted by Jamie on May 31, 2011 at 8:10 am | permalink |
Tell me again why is Melissa there?? Sorry, that's a train wreck waiting to happen.
As for the farmer– he is a great partner for you, I am so glad you are together!
Posted by Diana on May 31, 2011 at 8:10 am | permalink |
I think I have felt lost since college because I am no longer following someone else's plan. I think this is common. But I have no idea how to get most of the things I want… I'm in awe of all the people who seem like they know what they're doing from the start. But I think they must be either faking or fabricating the story after the fact, right?
I love the sad goat picture. I think that's how I feel most of the time, but not because Cullen left.
Posted by Harriet May on May 31, 2011 at 8:24 am | permalink |
"I'm in awe of all the people who seem like they know what they're doing from the start. But I think they must be either faking or fabricating the story after the fact, right?"
Just because someone seems like they know what they are doing, it doesn't mean they do, or that they're not scared of being out on a limb, or that they don't think of quitting and going back to something conventional every single day. History is full of people who have done something extraordinary enough to get put in the books and it's not that they are made of anything different from the rest of us; they're just willing to write the script, as opposed to following one that's written for them.
Posted by Margaret Goerig on June 2, 2011 at 8:23 am | permalink |
Melissa is cute; she shouldn't have a hard time finding a nice boy to fill the gap left by Cullen.
Posted by David C on May 31, 2011 at 8:30 am | permalink |
Penelope, you are a genius and a prophet. In our neck of the woods everyone has a friend like Melissa come thru their home from time to time. Some of us house actors in the summer for profit and drama.
Anyway, this post is also great parenting advice – the plans they make themselves and feeling lost part.
And I love your husband because he is so grounded and literate and wise all at the same time. You two are a good pair.
Posted by Robin on May 31, 2011 at 8:43 am | permalink |
Moby Dick's whaling chapter? I love the Farmer too now. What a smart man. Too bad you two aren't having babies. That'd be one hell of a genetic combo. Oh well, just enjoy the genes in their currently expressed mode.
Posted by Lisa on May 31, 2011 at 8:53 am | permalink |
Agreed, well not about the babies. That's neither here nor there, in my opinion. But I am grateful to hear someone address the reason for the whaling chapters in Moby Dick. They were a great mystery to me and I was never sure why they had not been burned in a fire long before now. I may have to give them a second look now that I am not just trying to get through the novel.
Posted by Jenn on June 1, 2011 at 10:19 am | permalink |
I loved this. I think you are just so deft at cutting things down to basics with this great, stripped-down style. And like others said, the Farmer has great advice and the goat pics are sweet. But it's the combined elements that just worked for me. Thanks!
Posted by Susan on May 31, 2011 at 9:10 am | permalink |
Penelope, I just wanted to say thanks for writing this post. It was exactly what I needed to hear this morning.
Posted by Noel on May 31, 2011 at 9:13 am | permalink |
I'm trying to say something without being mean spirited…which is a bit how I feel, but not what I want to express…
But what the hay. That chick will move on. She's skinny and not black. Those are the primary qualifications for femalish desirability in the US of A. She can have any one of a multitude of dudes.
The goats are way more interesting.
Posted by Monica on May 31, 2011 at 9:18 am | permalink |
I agree that Melissa will land on her feet. I would also love to hear your thoughts on how blackness affects desirability.
Posted by Tanya on May 31, 2011 at 10:27 am | permalink |
Race obviously doesn't affect desirability
…but culturally it's a different matter. Go to any large dating site and check out the number of guys who specify they will date any sort of female except a black one is only exceeded by the number who will date any sort of female except a fat one.
Melissa has nearly unlimited dated potential. She can probably find a guy who will put up any degree of silliness because of her cultural desirability.
She'll be fine.
Posted by Monica on May 31, 2011 at 12:10 pm | permalink |
I have to agree with Monica. There is great, great dating data on the OKCupid blog. And they slice the dating data a million ways and it always comes out that black women have a hard time on dating sites.
Also, women in their 20s do very very well on dating sites and then things go downhill for women, in terms of the attention their online profile garners.
I am actually obsessed with the OK Cupid blog. Such interesting stuff there. For example, women who are quirky in their photos get more attention than women who are conventionally beautiful. OK Cupid blog guy surmises that this is because people want to feel a unique connection to the person.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on May 31, 2011 at 12:46 pm | permalink |
Penelope, have you considered changing the photo of yourself on this blog to one that reflects your new lifestyle on the farm?
Posted by Mark W. on May 31, 2011 at 1:23 pm | permalink |
Monica – Disheartening news for my phenotype.
Penelope – Thanks for the tip about OK Cupid's blog. Fascinating data.
Posted by Tanya on May 31, 2011 at 1:36 pm | permalink |
WTF kind of comment is that? What does being black have to do with Melissa's desirability? She looks and comes off as a needy, whiny girl with no plans for herself and that alone turns a lot of men off. Maybe her being white is a disadvantage for a man who wants more than a clinging vine.
Posted by Celine on May 31, 2011 at 8:10 pm | permalink |
And I'm reminded of that crap psychologist who might get fired (or already did) for publishing an article that said that black women are the least desirable population and that they think they are much more attractive than they really are. It's toxic thinking and even if some meat heads are propagating this belief on some dating sites, I'm not sure it should be overlooked that they are on dating sites.
Posted by Margaret Goerig on June 2, 2011 at 8:52 am | permalink |
I guess I should just visit the folks in Shullsburg for the first time in several years, take a trip to Darlington and hope to run into Melissa? I mean, cooking is fun. She should cook. She can even use her iPhone, because my iPad is handy for finding recipes. She seems smart, but that guy was all wrong.
Posted by DC on May 31, 2011 at 9:39 am | permalink |
Gonna miss the Cullen/Melissa storyline. Glad you and the Farmer are copacetic again. A goat in boots is cute, but isn't this little guy stage one of your new start up – goat on a plate? Have you named your dinner yet?
Posted by Irving Podolsky on May 31, 2011 at 9:45 am | permalink |
Those two are children. We should go back to the times when children don't have sex except sneakily, when making it public was done to disgrace you. It was more fun that way. Plus it seemed IMPORTANT. Now, like relationships, it's just. . . something you do casually, without much thought or development. Like brushing your teeth only without the longterm commitment.
Posted by Chris McLaughlin on May 31, 2011 at 9:51 am | permalink |
We should also go back to the time when children like that could buy homes and didn't take out mortgage loans of debt to get a college degree. But you know since those days aren't coming back…
Posted by DC on May 31, 2011 at 10:03 am | permalink |
I think maybe it's not so clear to the readers here why Melissa plays such a huge role in your life and this blog. I'm sure she's lovely but it's all kind of un-interesting (no offence Melissa). I suspect being trapped on a farm makes you think this is all very dramatic and exciting but your perspective is off.
The Farmer is right; if you want to make a man want you, you have to make him miss you. This is not fair but what is?
Posted by Elizabeth on May 31, 2011 at 10:04 am | permalink |
I love that the Farmer draws analogies to Moby Dick. Keep him.
Posted by Erika on May 31, 2011 at 10:12 am | permalink |
How old are Cullen and Melissa? I want to know. I think they are my age. Both very cute. Hope they end up together.
Posted by CS on May 31, 2011 at 10:15 am | permalink |
Both 27.
Posted by Penelope Trunk on May 31, 2011 at 12:53 pm | permalink |
Cullen sucks
Posted by Kathryn C on May 31, 2011 at 10:45 am | permalink |
Oh my god, that last picture is so perfect for this particular sadness. I just love it.
Posted by Erin on May 31, 2011 at 10:48 am | permalink |
I once met a guy in Telluride Co. spent the day with him and one month later flew to Utah to spend the weekend with him. On Sunday morning he told me he lied. Prepared for the worst like the reason he still has pictures of his wife and family around the house was that he was still married, I hesitantly said Ok. He said, "I am really 38 not 36." At that moment my fright or flight instinct kicked in. I think it is kind of like the he has a ticket for the train instead of the plane. Why lie about something that insignificant? I don't think that Cullen was straight with you-Straight being the important word in this sentence. or shall we say he was straight with you but I don't think that is who Cullen is in Austin. Just a thought…
Posted by Bridget on May 31, 2011 at 10:57 am | permalink |
First, I love James Altucher's blog. And I agree with Melissa on that front.
Second, "You need to feel secure in one place to create instability in another" is so true and yet completely lacking in my world right now. What I wouldn't give for just one area of my life to seem stable.
Posted by Brooke Farmer on May 31, 2011 at 11:10 am | permalink |
I've moved since ordering the book. I move frequently right now as I'm couch surfing and unemployed so please don't take this as some sort of dig that the book is taking too long. How do I change my shipping address?
Posted by Katy on May 31, 2011 at 11:53 am | permalink |
I should do some sort of study about how the group of people who ordered the book change addresses at what is surely an inordinately high rate. I wonder if this is true of the readers of this blog in general?
Anyway, Katy, you can email me directly with the new address. And may your next couch be your best
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on May 31, 2011 at 1:43 pm | permalink |
i ordered the book and have not moved in 10 years.
Posted by amy on June 2, 2011 at 6:17 pm | permalink |
Your most insightful post in a while. Although I think in this case, the insight is coming from the Farmer.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures.
PS – tell Melissa to stand up straight.
Posted by Tzipporah on May 31, 2011 at 11:56 am | permalink |
I can see the TV show now. Seinfeld on the farm. Scary.
great goat pix.
The Farmer is rising steadily in my estimation. Funny, smart, and makes literary allusions. Yum.
Posted by poppygirl on May 31, 2011 at 12:16 pm | permalink |
"It was the day that a TV writer emailed me about adapting my blog for the big screen."
I'll be interested to read more about this experiment when you're ready to write about it.
Posted by Mark W. on May 31, 2011 at 1:16 pm | permalink |
If Cullen's not going to redesign your blog, may I do it?
Some recent work:
http://tumblr.geoffgraham.me/tagged/Design
Posted by Geoff on May 31, 2011 at 1:32 pm | permalink |
Those photos of the goats are actually really sad. Well, the first one is sad, like the little goat is waiting for the shoes to be filled again; the second photo is like the angry post-breakup "screw you, boots".
Posted by Twister on May 31, 2011 at 1:58 pm | permalink |
the body language between cullen and melissa tells the actual tale.
the farmer is, if i'm not over-extrapolating, the quintessential man.
and i will be quoting you on my facebook page in a couple of minutes. you expressed a truth (for me) that i'm freshly on the road to facing and forgiving.
Posted by zan on May 31, 2011 at 2:23 pm | permalink |
So what is Melissa going to learn from this experience with Cullen? How do relationship failures compare to business failures? This post on your blog made me think of this blog: http://rollingindoughorsoithought.blogspot.com/ The closure of Alisa's business was the end to the best Whoopie Pies in Southern California. What did Melissa lose when Cullen left? Did she really become that invested in him in that short period of time? What did he bring to her life, besides being his girlfriend on FB, that made him a wonderful man for her to be in a relationship with? It doesn't sound like he was a man that she could count on. She deserves better than that.
A relationship to person can be all absorbing, but so can a business. Penelope, you are fortunate to have a good man with common sense to share your life with so that you can take chances.
Posted by Sutah on May 31, 2011 at 3:23 pm | permalink |
the farmer is my favorite character. i come to read penelope's writing but the farmer is "it".
Posted by parker on May 31, 2011 at 3:33 pm | permalink |
"The Farmer says, "Penelope's career advice chapters are like the whaling chapters in Moby Dick. You like the storyline about psychotic behavior, but you need the whaling chapters to keep things based in reality.""
Best. Line. Ever. He truly is a genius.
Posted by Chris Yeh on May 31, 2011 at 4:37 pm | permalink |
"Never make someone your priority while allowing yourself to be their option."
I think there's a lot to be said for not making it too easy for the guy, and that comes down to who's doing the chasing. I suck at playing hard to get, because I'd rather just be genuine. Why does it always have to be a game?
It's too easy for the guy to end up taking you for granted if it was no challenge to get you (or keep you).
"If somebody wants to walk out of your life, LET THEM GO." And then be the first to change your FB status;)
Posted by downfromtheledge on May 31, 2011 at 4:45 pm | permalink |
"Actually, the image of the CEO as a masochist really liberated me to think outside of hierarchies at work."
BAHAHAHA !
I cant wait to go to the next meeting with my bosses — the next time their big egos get on my damn nerves, i'll be sure to imagine them wanting to be dominated and all ….
I feel liberated ALREADY.
Posted by lb on May 31, 2011 at 5:25 pm | permalink |
I'm forming the impression that The Farmer is a rather switched-on cat.
Posted by Paul Hassing on May 31, 2011 at 5:41 pm | permalink |
Hi Penelope,
I just like reading your blog.
It reminds me of the quote from Forrest Gump:
"Life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you're going to get."
Your character in these blogs also reminds me a little of the main character in that TV show, "Weeds."
I like that I never know what you'll say next.
The photo of the goat in the boots is funny.
Melissa and Cullen are not very interesting.
Do you think maybe you lean on her too much?
Whatever.
The movie of your life, or the TV show or whatever, is going to be good.
Maybe you could do webisodes in a similar vein as "Between Two Ferns." Short and funny and honest and awkward. I would watch that.
Anyway, I am rooting for you. Reading your posts helped me to be more honest in mine. One thing you say that I always keep in mind is something to the effect of – "Being scared to publish the post means you're doing something right."
Good luck,
Dannielle Blumenthal
Posted by Dannielle Blumenthal on May 31, 2011 at 6:28 pm | permalink |
Gosh, this is very, very, Penelope-at-her-best. Multi-leveled, multi-layered, simultaneously mundane and poignant. Of course you love the farmer . . . It's so amazing when someone gets you. And the Moby Dick comparison is so insightful and apt. Having your writing compared to Melville's is a pretty sweet compliment.
Posted by Laura Brown on May 31, 2011 at 8:38 pm | permalink |
Run, Cullen, run.
Posted by Jody on May 31, 2011 at 9:25 pm | permalink |
Dang. The Farmer has read Moby Dick and I haven't.
Posted by Stuart on May 31, 2011 at 9:30 pm | permalink |
Don't be ridiculous. Only a masochist actually reads the whaling chapters. Or, hey, wait a minute…
Posted by Tzipporah on May 31, 2011 at 11:24 pm | permalink |
Maybe subconsciously intentional, but the photo at the top is most certainly a Wisconsin rendition of "American Gothic." The Farmer rocks with his Moby Dick analogies. I would buy veal from him any day.
Posted by Lex Luthor on May 31, 2011 at 9:57 pm | permalink |
Dear Penelope,
I think this essay is good character development for the Farmer.
Aaron and I also watch Breaking Bad – he calls it his favorite drama on TV (though it ties with Big Love). I am impressed with the lead actor, myself. Can you believe he is the dad in Malcom in the Middle? Now, that's what I call a serious acting range!
Television is completely different nowadays. I tell people – it's the golden age of television. It's groundbreaking what the writers are doing, to me anyways. But you are funny and silly, to the same extent I believe.
Got to go cook a late supper now, but glad to hear how in love you are with the farmer. Love grows deeper over time and when you are able to get through the obstacles and tough patches, it only seems to get sweeter.
Posted by Rachel on May 31, 2011 at 10:53 pm | permalink |
Search on this blog "Moby Dick", and you'll see the same ideas regurgitated – either good blogging is like Moby Dick, or this writer thinks she herself writes like Melville, etc. etc.
Been reading this blog for too long. Time for the reality tv-show.
Posted by reqwrewrew on June 1, 2011 at 5:43 am | permalink |
You know how Gen Y is becoming this group of foodies, going back to a natural way of cooking and eating? They say they grew up thinking food came from a package and now they want something more. They want real food, with nutritional value and flavor. They take time to cook from scratch. They create a meal that not only tastes good, but has meaning.
Well, they should look at sex the same way. They've grown up seeing sex as fast food. A relationship without the relationship. Maybe it's time to think of it like homegrown food and cooking from scratch. Maybe they should take time to get to know one another and truly love one another. Maybe sex should be the culminating act of a relationship instead of the initial act. Maybe it should have more meaning.
Posted by sophie on June 1, 2011 at 6:22 am | permalink |
The question in, can you develop a reality show with goats as the main characters? My guess is it would be better than most of the reality shows out there…
Posted by terri on June 1, 2011 at 10:42 am | permalink |
Wait, someone has really entered into a discussion with you about doing a television show based on your blog. Seriously.
Trunk, I think it's lovely that you care about Melissa as much as you do, but you need to write more about the TV thing. Reality series or sitcom? Would you be in it or would they hire actors to play you? And, no offense, but what is the plot? You know that your blog has no actual plot, right? Not that reality shows usually do either, I realize.
Melissa does need to stand up straight, PS. And stand up to needy, aimless leeches like Cullen.
Posted by biffpow on June 1, 2011 at 1:25 pm | permalink |
I get contacted by Hollywood types a lot, actually. It never amounts to anything. When something really happens, believe me, it'll be all over the blog.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on June 1, 2011 at 2:10 pm | permalink |
Penny,
Just a thought, but Cullen's persona non grata on the farm isn't he:)
The goat is really doing a number on his boots.
Been married for a long time, and have had alot of female friends. Given my experience, those pictures seem to symbolize him or rather his masculinity being trodden upon and then butted… ouch! Is the goat female by chance? That would put the issue beyond doubt…
Just my2centsworth.
Posted by Dale on June 1, 2011 at 4:04 pm | permalink |
I'm rooting for Melissa.
Posted by tyson crosbie on June 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm | permalink |
I'm confused by the anti Melissa/pro goat picture comments. She did take them, didn't she?
Then she IS interesting and I want her to be happy.
Anyone who has followed this blog will know that any one bust-up is only a tiny part of the story of a relationship. We will see, in the fullness of time, what we will see.
Posted by TwistedByKnaves on June 1, 2011 at 5:17 pm | permalink |
Don't have time to read every comment, so if this is repetitive — well, tell the farmer to take it as a great compliment.
That guy isn't just smart. He's very sensible, about how to run a farm and a lot of other things. But he's also WISE. A rare thing today — look at all the Cullen-types and other 'slacker dudes'.
Farmer wise. His good points must surely outweight his bad points. He's a keeper. Work hard to make that happen.
Posted by SSW on June 1, 2011 at 5:24 pm | permalink |
I love the bit about Melissa not thinking she has a boyfriend unless he changes his Facebook status to say so.
I have noticed this phenomenon as well. My 21 year old nephew and his friends are all my friends on Facebook (that's another thing, 21 year olds are very unfussy about who they 'friend' on social networks, as in their friend's 46 year old aunt.)
Anyway, when these kids get in to fights with their boyfriend or girlfriend, the relationship status gets updated immediately to "it's complicated" and then that causes a bigger fight, which either leads to "is single" or "is in a relationship" *heart*. And the cycle goes round and round, over and over, and makes me really glad to be 46!
Posted by rb on June 1, 2011 at 7:05 pm | permalink |
Old or young, far too many people view their "couplehood" status as a reflection of their value as a person. STATUS implies worth — whether it's online, or in the way someone introduces you to people. This is my _______. Girlfriend? Friend?
What am I to you? That is the question. Your value in the world is not tied to the answer, however.
Posted by downfromtheledge on June 1, 2011 at 7:22 pm | permalink |
I want to live with you on your farm and be written about. That would be quite the dream actually since I really adore your contributions as a writer/blogger.
Posted by Lady Blue on June 1, 2011 at 7:34 pm | permalink |
loving your series of stories and it seems like you really did find somebody to "gets you"
Posted by My-Tien on June 2, 2011 at 12:58 am | permalink |
I love your story…. Its great story to be share…
Posted by Greenbydiamond on June 2, 2011 at 9:56 am | permalink |
I'm not sure about your career or happiness advice, but you're a very fine writer and observer.
Enjoyed this post very much.
Posted by Cousin Eddie on June 2, 2011 at 1:28 pm | permalink |
"And you can tell if it's your own plan by how lost you feel. People who do their own plans feel lost most of the time. People who do other peoples' plans feel on track most of the time."
This just made me feel alright about my decision to leave NYC after 12 1/2 years and move out West. I have been struggling to determine if it was really my decision or just the pressure I felt by family and friends that don't live there to move somewhere more manageable. I feel pretty lost in many ways and for awhile couldn't figure out if that was because the choices I was making were really my own or someone else's. THis just clarified a lot for me and now I feel much better.
I really enjoy this blog.
Posted by Rebecca on June 2, 2011 at 2:33 pm | permalink |
Great blog post. Your pictures are priceless.
I love what the Farmer is saying. Listen to him. It's so true. I've been chasing guys my whole life until I finally got sick of it (it doesn't work!) and read advice by dating coach Evan Marc Katz. I know, I spent $30 on an eBook titled "Why He Disappeared". Totally embarrassing. But totally worth it! In it he expands on the notion of men reaching out first. As women, it's as simple as sitting back and letting the guy do all the work in the courtship process. Anyway, you and Melissa should check it out…
Posted by Irina I on June 2, 2011 at 11:07 pm | permalink |
I want to hear more stories about the farmer.! He has great advice ! I love you Penelope but sometimes it does sound like he's the only adult living in your house lol.
I also think it's interesting that when you told Cullen and Melissa they'd have to find somewhere else to live together that's when Cullen split. Words like immature, irresponsible and freeloader do come to mind.
As far as a t.v. show of your life there I could totally see it happening. It would we kind of Wisconsin meets Ozzy Osbourne. It might be fun!
Posted by sandy on June 2, 2011 at 11:48 pm | permalink |
I can't understand why Melissa and Cullen aren't an item anymore. They look absolutely head-over-heels in love in that picture.
Look, Melissa is insecure and just wants to feel loved and safe. Cullen is a web designer flake who wanted a little nookie. For a week they served each others' needs.
If they have any sense about them, they'll leave it at that.
Posted by Sarah on June 4, 2011 at 2:18 pm | permalink |
Excellent insight about treading the path less traveled. It is nice to hear that perhaps I am on the right track after-all, even though I don't clearly see the way through. I try, re-asses, redirect and repeat. My 3 R's of (hopeful!) success.
Best,
Kristy
Posted by Bitch on June 5, 2011 at 9:21 pm | permalink |
Really great post, especially the ending. I also love the line about planning and feeling on track – such a quick line but oh so true.
Posted by Sam Davidson on June 7, 2011 at 5:47 am | permalink |
Ya great ending and great photo. I agree with sandy Why Melissa and Cullen aren't an item anymore. yap. They look absolutely head-over-heels in love in that picture.
Posted by happysus on June 11, 2011 at 12:16 am | permalink |