David Foster Wallace | Infinite Jest | 1996

Dear Randy Lenz,

I realize you're not the type to welcome unsolicited advice on how to live your life or deal with whatever you have going on. And that's probably usually a good thing, I think. It shows a steadfastness that's lacking in people today. But what I have to say could really help you out, if you'd allow yourself to consider it.
Have you ever considered investing in an Xbox or Playstation to try to deal with some of your darker, personal-resolution-type issues? A new Xbox 360 costs less than $200 now, and games like Call of Duty or Halo are socially acceptable and animal friendly ways to relieve stress and vent some of that spleen. Plus you don't get chased across the greater Metro-Boston area by bearded Canadians when you off them in CoD: Modern Warfare, like you did when you garrotted their poor dog. Remember that? That alone is probably worth the 200 bucks, right? I'd also wager that in the long term, the initial cost of an Xbox plus a few games and a subscription to Xbox Live (which is only $50 a year (!) for nearly unlimited entertainment) would actually be cheaper than paying for Lord knows how many Hefty Steel-Sak trash bags. And as a college student that generates not a small amount of garbage, I'm well aware of the cost of reinforced trash bags. The Xbox 360 gaming platform also comes equipped with a built-in digital clock, at no extra cost to you, which I know is something you'd be interested in.

Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Eric Ekholm