Category Archives: Book

I Love You

Book, Daily Life, mur, Quick Thoughts, Random, Rants

Those three words. Those three fucking words. Get over yourself already.

On some level, I feel love for almost everyone I meet. It’s far more important whether I like you. I don’t like that many humans. In contrast, I like nearly all dogs. My love stems from a firm belief that we are all pretty much the same. And that dogs are near perfect.

If I like you it means you’re worth my time. All the love in the world doesn’t take care of you when you need something real. People who like you help with that. And dogs. Dogs cure almost anything.

Art Lover

Art, Book, Daily Life, mur, Random, Stories

While working at a small custom frame shop in my mid-20s I answered to an honest, hard-working butch lesbian. The actual owner of the business was an upper-middle class nouveau riche mama’s boy with unresolved homoerotic daddy issues. Somehow, the two formed a dysfunctional symbiotic parental unit that kept the shop running on an even keel. I loved the women in that building like sisters and felt more at home there than with my family, for the most part. Making $8.50 an hour in Memphis, TN was pretty decent and I could do that job in my sleep. A fine place to sit idle and figure out some priorities.  Continue reading Art Lover →

Rimble Ramble

Art, Book, Daily Life, Games, mur, Random, Reasons for Things, Streamline

My superpower is rooted in the ability to shift perspective.  Call it a defense mechanism if you will but I have unleashed the inherent power.  Further than a sense of empathy, I can provide a fresh look from any angle.  The cost for this is inability to blend in.  I cultivate invisibility by hiding in plain sight and it works most of the time.  If I’m ever spotted, I use my feminine assets to misdirect and then make a quick Irish exit.  Continue reading Rimble Ramble →

It Ends With Me

Art, Book, mur, Reasons for Things, Stories

I chose not to have a baby.  It’s a decision I’ve wrestled with most of my life.  Having children is an expectation in my family.  Fortunately, I recognize my own flaws and would never inflict my existence on a non-consenting child.  Not to mention how much medication it takes to keep me sane.  Most importantly though – I don’t want to continue the cycle of insecurity and emotional abuse I witnessed in my own upbringing.  So when my loving, long-term boyfriend Tim impregnates me, I schedule the abortion exactly 8 weeks from the day of conception.  I choose not to have the baby because of my gut.    Continue reading It Ends With Me →

Collateral Damage

Art, Book, Daily Life, mur, Rants, Reasons for Things, Stories

Where I came from, pot smoking is as illegal as heroin selling.  I’m not talking about Memphis (for once).  In the 90s, I was a teenager.  Growing up as the target during the War on Drugs wreaked havoc on my psyche.  I wasn’t anywhere near the drugs themselves but honestly, I have PTSD anyway.  America was so thorough during that war they not only attacked people using drugs but made sure to inoculate demographics that might use drugs.  Continue reading Collateral Damage →

Orificexual

Art, Book, mur, Reasons for Things, Stories

“Have you ever been with a woman,” Dan asks.
“I’ve had intimate encounters with women but nothing I’d call sex,” I reply carefully.
“How do you define sex?”  Continue reading Orificexual →

Family Matters

Art, Book, Mecca, mur, Reasons for Things

My mother is a narcissist.  I’m of the opinion people should be accountable for their own problems.  Blaming others isn’t productive and often misguided.  Even if it’s true.  But in this case I feel the need to speak up.  I’m not the only one and I know it.  If I really want to play the blame game I’d go straight to the top.  The entire Boomer generation is trapped in a bubble of post-war narcissism that’s been perpetuated for over 50 years.  From ritual holiday celebrations to the narrow-minded legislative battles waged in a decrepit government, the trappings of Boomer culture hang over this nation like cobwebs.  Continue reading Family Matters →

Black Lodge Revisited

Black Lodge, Book, Daily Life, First Impressions, mur, Quick Thoughts, Reasons for Things

It’s not the same. Not at all. There’s a kitchen and there’s a couch but nothing else is even similar. The speakeasy-style setup hearkens back to a world where The Man cares what those kids are up to. Shotguns are good protection in almost any context, especially tower defense.  Sandwiched amid dive bars underneath the I-5 overpass, I can’t think of a more appropriate reincarnation of the Black Lodge I once loved.  The stage we all wanted in that little house exists in punk rock glory on Eastlake Ave. Continue reading Black Lodge Revisited →

Tacky

Book, Daily Life, mur, Quick Thoughts, Random, Reasons for Things, Stories

My hair is defaulting to a vertical state.  I’m not complaining.  There was a time when walking around with my hair sticking up would cause waves of shame and humiliation.  My detachment to my hair is so complete I’m caught off-guard when someone takes notice.  “I like your hair.”  Momentary confusion. “Oh yeah, thanks,” and I touch my hair to remember what it looks like that day.  Continue reading Tacky →