January 28th, 2026 When’s the last time you read the Declaration of Independence? This isn’t a flex or a question of condescension; I don’t actually know if I had ever read it and our Constitution front-to-back in my life until this week. (I found this cute pocket version at my local Barnes & Noble.) ItContinue reading “We The People”
Author Archives: dennisvogen
How Could They Understand?
January 25th, 2026 I barely sleep, I’m stressed out all the time and I’m not sure how any of us can be expected to function in any capacity; never mind that the constant need to feel functional is just a side effect of the late stage capitalism. First of all: hi to all the newContinue reading “How Could They Understand?”
Closings Time
January 17th, 2026 This is my local Pancake House. This sign was posted at their Burnsville location today, on a Saturday, one of the busiest days of the restaurant week. They’re closed. I have found over the years that it’s impossible to reach some folks through their hearts because there are those who suffer fromContinue reading “Closings Time”
Maybe I’m Crazy
January 16th, 2026 What’s crazy to me is that Jesus Christ was killed by the state for embodying and promoting such traitorous and terroristic behaviors as loving thy neighbor, no matter who that neighbor is. What’s crazy to me is I have spent my whole life listening to people tell me that they needed theirContinue reading “Maybe I’m Crazy”
And you know we’re on each other’s team
January 10th, 2026 I wrote something insane last night. Like, the kind of essay that could cost me my job, lose me hundreds of followers, inspire wellness checks. It was unhinged, full of rage and despair, my words as vindictive and cutting as a pair of scissors laced with cyanide. It was actually pretty fuckingContinue reading “And you know we’re on each other’s team”
I Was A Human
January 7th, 2026 Goddamn it. I try to be a voice of reason and sense, of kindness and decency for the people in my life who are close to me; but what happened today, and what has been happening in this country for years under the watch and thumb of the man responsible for thisContinue reading “I Was A Human”
Best of 2025
December 30th, 2025 It’s that time again to list my favorite things of the year! (Wait, nobody asked? I don’t care. Everyone loves lists.) I was able to choose a top ten in every medium except television, which got thirteen picks and I could not reduce it any further (for real, I tried and itContinue reading “Best of 2025”
Fall Semester 2025
December 24th, 2025 Feelin’ like Kevin McCallister over here because grades dropped today and, for the first time in my middle-aged college era, I did not get straight A’s. I got one A-. To be honest, I am surprised I survived this semester, much less was able to sustain a 4.0 GPA overall for myContinue reading “Fall Semester 2025”
Cat Mom
December 16th, 2025 I may have mentioned this once or twice before but I am a very anxious person. I am a tragically empathetic sponge (which my drinking used to magically squeeze) and a standard-issue artist; I feel too much and when the world feels like too much my brain crosses streets like a squirrel.Continue reading “Cat Mom”
Matchy-Matchy (Eight Years)
December 9th, 2025 I know exactly how that raccoon feels. The shame and guilt and all that existential crisis garbage. But it’s been a minute. I’m eight years sober today. I know I’ve been missing lately from your social media diet. (The FDA no longer recommends me.) Like I mentioned in a previous post, theContinue reading “Matchy-Matchy (Eight Years)”
The Den 