3 on Thursday
Music, stories, and thoughts on creativity from Aaron Espe.
Thursday, August 6, 2026 · 2 min read
This month of 3 on Thursday is made possible by a generous longtime listener whose support helps me keep making and sharing new music and stories.
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1. THE STORY
It was the late 90s, and I was sitting in a public bathroom stall minding my business when a man in the next stall said, “Hey, how’s it going?”
This had never happened to me before.
On the one hand, I thought, We’re close enough you probably know how it’s going. But on the other, I was raised to be a polite Midwesterner. To ignore this man’s courtesy would be downright rude.
“Hey,” I said. “Pretty good.”
And because I was also taught never to leave the tally board lopsided, I offered, “How about yourself?”
The man, however, didn’t answer.
I figured nature had moved, and he was dealing with other things.
But after another minute or so, I wondered if he’d heard me. My father was constantly reminding me how I mumbled.
This time I made sure to enunciate.
“You doing alright today? Nice weather we’ve been having.”
Still nothing.
Now I’m worried the man has died.
What else could explain his swift transformation from Mister Congeniality to Silent Bob? I get it–privacy should be respected–but he’s the one who started it. Answer the question, man!
I look under the divider to see if there’s any foot movement, but I can’t tell. I flush, open the stall, wash my hands, and, just before running out to call 911, I hear his voice:
“Hey, Tim. I’m gonna have to call you back.”
Love,
Aaron
2. LISTEN
The complete upcoming album is now available to hear in the Listening Room, before it is mixed and mastered. Listen here →
3. NOTICE
I was twenty-one years old before I got my first cell phone.
How old were you when you got yours? Or what was the first piece of technology that made you realize everyday life had changed?
Hear the upcoming album: Enter the Listening Room
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