David Lynch has passed away. He was my favorite director. It’s tough to think of what else to say, and it took me 20 minutes to come up with just that.

Got something now. He had two profound impacts on my life.

First and most measurable was this advice from Agent Cooper in s1e7 of Twin Peaks: “Harry, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it. Don’t wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men’s store. A catnap in your office chair. Or two cups of good, hot, black coffee, like this.” Result: I follow his advice, but have to be increasingly careful about presents involving carbs and sugar.

Second is that his work instilled a healthy respect for existential mystery, both in fiction and in real life. After countless re-watches of Peaks and most of his other works, I am fairly confident that I have no idea what’s going on. And…

…

…

…that’s OK.

He now sees behind the veil. I almost hope, for his sake, that it’s veils all the way down. I think he’d like that.