November 4th, 2024 As anxious as I am for tomorrow, I’m even more anxious for another day. The day after tomorrow. By that I mean that all of this doesn’t end when the last ballot is counted. When we say this is an election like no other, it’s not hyperbole, or the political version ofContinue reading “The Day After Tomorrow”
Author Archives: dennisvogen
Inktober 2024
November 2nd, 2024 My Illustrator class had us participate in #Inktober this year! We only had to choose eight prompts, but I had a blast, putting a Pokémon spin on my picks. Before this year, I rarely ever used Illustrator, self-teaching myself Photoshop to get any and every project done. Learning it (and especially theContinue reading “Inktober 2024”
The Anti-Hero
October 21st, 2024 It’s me. Hi. I’m the enemy within. It’s me. It is really interesting to me how failing to address alienation in this country has exponentially produced more alienation. Allow me to explain? One the reasons social and political experts have given for the rise of Donald Trump is the alienation so manyContinue reading “The Anti-Hero”
Four Years / Natural
October 16th, 2024 If you feel a little lonely, you’re not alone in that, and it’s natural to feel. My mom made sure I knew that. She’s been gone four years today. My dad got married last weekend. It was a beautiful day. I was the minister of their wedding. I got a lot ofContinue reading “Four Years / Natural”
Take a look, it’s in a book
October 14th, 2024 “Are you a reader?” I asked her. I always ask when people approach my table now. “Yes?” the woman said, her face distorted. I asked why it sounded like there was a question mark at the end of her answer. She said she was startled by the question. Doesn’t everyone like toContinue reading “Take a look, it’s in a book”
Say Aaahh
October 8th, 2024 What is education in a democracy? Why, education is how we make antibodies. I’m in college now, so I’m insufferable (“But you’ve always been insufferable!” you say and you are so right, ma’am); a lot of my studies so far have about our literacy. Reading, sure (literal literacy should never be takenContinue reading “Say Aaahh”
School Update: October ’24
October 2nd, 2024 I can’t believe it, but I’m already six weeks into being back at school at DCTC. People keep asking me how it’s going so let’s talk about it! • I joined a club! I went to my first Creative Arts & Writing Club meeting today… and I walked out of the meetingContinue reading “School Update: October ’24”
National Recovery Month
September 24th, 2024 September is National Recovery Month. If you’re reading these words, then congratulations: you know someone who struggles with addiction! I couldn’t begin to list all the reasons why I’m public about my own sobriety, but there are two big ones: 1. I believe that light is a disinfectant; that so many ofContinue reading “National Recovery Month”
telescope
September 16th, 2024 Some days you look into a telescope and all you can see is the immense, infinite universe, nebula swirling like frosting and stars sparkling like sprinkles; other days all you can focus on is a black hole, consuming its corner of the cosmos. There are typical anniversaries when it comes to lossContinue reading “telescope”
Contagious Magic
September 4th, 2024 It’s easy to feel disenchanted. Like every trick has been revealed and every rabbit is dead in its hat. But what if the natural state of this world is magic? What if all it takes is patience and our attention to unlock it? I repeat this idea to myself as I tryContinue reading “Contagious Magic”
The Den 