Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything

Please explain this whole monogamy thing. After I date a woman for a few months, I grow restless and I can’t wait to move on. Am I being unreasonable, or have I just not met the right woman?

When you’re young, you’re trying to rub the velvet off your antlers. I did write “Triad,” and I do think there are other ways people can live. But it takes years to build that kind of relationship that’s worth it. To me, that “monogamy thing” is where I found the best part of my life. I can’t tell you it’s going to do it for you, but it’s definitely done it for me.

A few years ago, my son sold my 1954 Martin D-28 guitar for heroin, and I told him never to contact me again. He just reached out and says he’s been clean for a year and wants to reconnect. How do I let go of my resentment and let my son back into my life?

That’s what junkies do: They take your stuff, and they sell it. He probably doesn’t have anybody else that can help him out. I understand the love of guitars, but he’s your son and you have an obligation to him. I think you ought to try.

I’m just a year older than you and a believer of the promise of the 1960s, but it’s getting harder every day. Did we accomplish anything that has lasted?

I don’t think the things we espoused in the 1960s were wrong. I think equality between human beings is correct. I think love is better than hatred, that peace is better than war. I feel discouraged currently, of course. But I still believe that we can fix this. Maybe that’s just me needing to believe that, but that is what I believe.