Stop, Thief!
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There’s a lot going on, so I wanted to send a quick letter with
some notes and updates.
UPDATE 1: GAMELINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS?
Some of you who’ve been to certain Barnes and Noble stores recently
have written in to report a strange experience: The Game is nowhere
to be found on the shelves. Instead, it is now kept behind the
counter.
Evidently, it turns out that The Game is one of the two most stolen
books in those stores.
So I called a Barnes and Nobles in Los Angeles to ask what their
other most stolen book is.
Turns out it’s the Bible.
This came as somewhat of a surprise.
Don’t you think when someone steals the Bible, then gets to the
part where it says, “Thou shalt not steal,” they feel pretty
stupid?
UPDATE 2: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Remember, in EMERGENCY, the shady lawyer who was arranging for
me to get a citizenship to the island paradise of St. Kitts?
Well it turns out, on returning to St. Kitts, I was told by locals
that a huge sum of money that he was holding in escrow for people
who wanted to purchase land for citizenships “mysteriously
disappeared.”
And, as it stands now, those people who plunked down their
hard-earned cash–or who took out a loan–to make it happen are
shit out of luck.
That easily could have been me, and definitely would have led to a
very different experience.
So when it comes to making a decision about someone or something
you’re unsure about–whether it’s a financial, survival, or romantic
decision–gather all the necessary information, then stop before
making a decision. Step out of the situation for a moment. Go
somewhere quiet, even if it’s just the bathroom. And ask your self,
Yes or No? And if you don’t think, but just allow yourself to pick
up on the feeling you get immediately in response, you’ll know your
answer.
The goal is to avoid impulsive behavior, do as much research as you
can, consider the knowledge you’ve accumulated though similar
experiences in the past, and then STOP. Clear your mind. And let
the intuition you’ve developed inform you rather than caving in
to the confusion and anxiety and social pressure that can lead
to the wrong decision in the heat of the moment.
Most of what you’re looking for…you already know.
UPDATE 3: SURVIVALISTS PHONE HOME
Every day, I am thankful that I went through the experience I did
in Emergency.
For example, during the recent rains here, there was an 18-hour
blackout in my neighborhood. My friends and I went to the garage
and pulled out the generator and flashlights and kerosene lamps.
But there was one other thing that was extremely useful that most
people don’t think of: so if you want to prepare for the worst, in
addition to a battery-powered radio, include a CORDED PHONE in
your survival stockpile. Because when the power goes out, for
whatever reason, you’ll notice that your cordless phones at home
won’t work. And if the local cell tower is down too, as it was
here, you’ll be unable to reach most of your friends and relatives.
On another note, I want to thank Nighthawk, one of the Stylelife
boys and also a Navy corpsman, who came by my place the other
weekend to teach a course in ditch medicine. We did amazing things,
and even learned how to use a tampon on a bullet entry wound in
the field. (Says Nighthawk: It’s sterile, is made to absorb blood,
and has a string for easy removal).
UPDATE 4: THE NEW BOOK WITHIN A BOOK
I may regret making this offer, so I will confirm it in the next
email.
But, as some of you know, the leathery-looking Rules of the Game
two-book box set was only a temporary collector’s item.
Next week, on October 27, the single-volume paperback of Rules of
the Game goes on sale. And it’s no longer a two-book set: Now it’s
a THREE book set. Yeah, I spent the summer writing a third book for
it, just to make it totally essential.
I’ll tell you all about it in the next email, but it basically
picks up where the Stylelife Challenge left off. Where the
Challenge takes guys up to the phone number and the date, this new
third book takes it from there, with step-by-step, word-by-word,
extensively field-tested instructions to follow all the way to
kissing, the bedroom, and, if it’s your sort of thing, threesomes.
I wanted it to be complete. (And speaking of complete,
congratulations to my brother for winning the game and getting
engaged last week.)
Anyway, because I’ve done a lot of talking on this subject, and am
waist-deep in a brand new project, I’m not going to do a press tour
or a book tour this time around.
So here’s what I’m thinking: If you want your copy of the new Rules
paperback personalized and signed, I may invite you to mail it to
me (with a self-addressed, stamped return envelope of course) so
you don’t have to wait until the next book tour.
Not sure on this yet. Need to check with the man at my post office
box, to make sure he doesn’t flip out. We’re already in his bad
books, thanks to some of your totally cool and completely
unpredictable care packages. Not to mention all the crazy shit
I ordered for Emergency.
Thanks,
Neil
P.S. No PS’s today. Not counting this one.
P.P.S. Actually…have a great Halloween. Send me
any pictures of awesome costume ideas you come up with.