{"product_id":"2940151630511","title":"Failing Upwards","description":"Sex.\u003cbr\u003eDrugs.\u003cbr\u003eHeartbreak.\u003cbr\u003eHesitation Marks.\u003cbr\u003eSubstance Abuse.\u003cbr\u003eVirginity.\u003cbr\u003eBDSM.\u003cbr\u003eFailure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt 17 years old, I was a devout Catholic who refused to use profanity and was insistent on saving himself for marriage. At 27 years old, I thought about the person I once was while snorting cocaine off of his passport until the early morning at a hotel in West Hollywood. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eFailing Upwards is the classic coming of age story. Sort of. I spent a decade of my life depressed, angry and aimless. I responded to that with an amoral hedonism that at times, flirted with nihilism. At some point in that decade, something interesting happened — I realized I had an exceptional talent for being a troublemaker. What began as a response to discomfort with myself and the world around me, turned into intentional lifestyle choices. Failing Upwards is about how a Catholic schoolboy morphed into a clove smoking, whiskey spilling, licentious degenerate. Grab a seat. Grab a drink. These are the stories from a life lived questionably.","brand":"Acme, Incorporated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47069249175792,"sku":"2940151630511","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940151630511_p0.jpg?v=1764015924","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940151630511","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}