When I relaunched Sometimes Weekly in 2023, after first launching it in 2015, I debuted the brand’s new slogan: Stories from the Back Row of History.
What does “Stories from the Back Row of History” mean, exactly? Well, I’m not sure. But I guess it’s something like sustained and active engagement with reality over time — then, now, and also eventually — with an honest-but-humorous bent. If the theory holds, such an approach will eventually generate stories — stories which you can then read here on Sometimes Weekly.
Such a model requires, necessarily, that I always have something in the works. I call these potential trailheads irons in the fire.
Seven years ago today, I memorialized one such iron. Seven years prior, in 2010, I sent myself an email to be delivered seven years later, in 2017. Then, I replied to that email, which contained a series of questions, composed when I was 17 years old, in one of the earliest Sometimes Weekly entries.
Now, fourteen years later, having successfully reached my 30s, it’s time to revisit some Questions from 2010.
The email from 2010 begins: “This email was sent by you (me) in 2010.”
Then, we get into the questions.
Below, you’ll find the question from 2010, my 2017 response, and my newest 2024 reply.
2010: Is the Simpsons off TV yet?
2017: No. And honestly, I don’t remember being a fan of the Simpsons, so I don’t know why I would ask this. I guess for posterity?
2024: Still on! Definitely for posterity.
2010: Did they make an Arrested Development movie?
2017: No, but they did make a new season which was alright. And there’s another new season coming out in 2018. So, kind of?
2024: No movie. And we mostly just ignore the new seasons.
2010: Is Will Ferrell still making awesome movies?
2017: Not, uh… not really.
2024: I think I was too harsh in 2017 but, to be honest, I’m not sure my general impression has changed. I will say: I’m a big fan of his 2015 Lifetime movie Deadly Adoption, co-starring Kristen Wiig and written by Harper Steele.
2010: Is Conan O’Brien still on? Jon Stewart? Colbert?
2017: Yes, but on TBS. No. Yes, but on CBS. Overall, late night TV is probably worse now than it was in 2010. Sorry, me.
2024: Yes, but on a podcast. Yes, back on Comedy Central. Yes, still on CBS. Overall, late night TV is probably worse now than it was in 2010 and 2017. Sorry, me.
2010: Do you still watch Psych, House, The Event, NCIS, Fringe, The Office, 30 Rock, Communtiy, SNL?
2017: I don’t even know what the hell The Event is, so no to that. I still watch The Office on Netflix (Netflix is a prominent video streaming platform in 2017).
2024: The Office, 30 Rock, and SNL still get my occasional patronage (Netflix is perhaps less prominent now than it was in 2017, and streaming platforms in general are simply out of control).
2010: Did they ever make a sequel to Cloverfield?
2017: Kind of, they made it into an anthology series. So not really.
2024: Still no direct sequel, but there are rumors.
2010: Is the iPad still “revolutionary”?
2017: I’m not sure what I meant when I put “revolutionary” in quotes, but tablets are very popular so it seems like the iPad had an impact. Personally, my phone does everything I’d use a tablet for — and for that reason, I’m out.
2024: See 2017.
2010: Has anything truly amazing happened with technology?
2017: Yes, this happened.
2024: Most people would say AI, but I’m sticking to my 2017 response.
2010: How much money do you have?
2017: Not enough. If you get this answer in 2010, invest everything in Bitcoin. Pls.
2024: FUCK. I still had time!
2010: How much does gas cost – today it’s $2.87?
2017: About $2.50, so cheaper actually. Thanks Obama.
2024: About $3.00, so still hovering in the same ballpark.
2010: Has the Tea Party destroyed America yet?
2017: I wouldn’t say destroyed, but they certainly haven’t helped.
2024: They’re well on their way!
2010: How’s the whole Israel / Palestine thing?
2017: Samesies.
2024: Samesies.
2010: Was Barack Obama reelected?
2017: Yes. Now please, for the love of God, don’t ask any more questions about the presidency.
2024: Yes, Now please, for the love of God, don’t ask any more questions about the presidency.
2010: Who is the president?
2017: Oh, my sweet summer child.
2024: Oh, my sweet summer child.
Best,
Nick Butler
9/28/2010
From there, I must reveal something to the reader: the original set of questions included a series of other questions which I omitted from the 2017 reply. So, today, fourteen years later, for the very first time, I’m happy to deliver to the reader some Additional Questions from 2010.
Instead of responding to these prompts myself, I’ll let the reader do the heavy lifting by offering their own internal reply.
2010: What is considered normal for computers? 1 TB of data?
2010: Are you still annoyed at Fox News?
2010: Is America still number one?
2010: Facebook dead yet? Twitter?
Of course, there are still some Remaining Questions from 2010 that I’ve omitted, so be sure to check back on December 28, 2031 for the next follow-up!
And with that,
Cheers! 🍻
Nick Butler
New York, NY
December 2024