September 17th, 2022 Oh, the humanity. It can be hard to be human, especially when the world is being particularly human-y. It’s one of the reasons I’m taking a break from essays this month; I’m just not up to dealing with it all right now, and the feeling feels mutual. But today? I needed today.Continue reading “The Comic Show @ Valley Creek Mall”
Author Archives: dennisvogen
REDBUBBLE Shop & Comic Show This Weekend
September 13th, 2022 Hiya! Don’t worry, my September break from you still stands, so I won’t be whining about my feelings or crying about stuff or wondering about the nature of our universe today; this is just my shameless self-promotion for the week! TWO THINGS! (Was that too loud? two. things.) First: I will beContinue reading “REDBUBBLE Shop & Comic Show This Weekend”
The Kind Monster
September 6th, 2022 Starting today, I’m going to be taking the rest of the month off from posting essays. I feel like you and I could use a break from each other, in a good way. I hope you’ll catch up on posts, if that’s your thing, or pick up some of my work andContinue reading “The Kind Monster”
For You or Not For You
September 5th, 2022 When I saw the State Fair water tower on the horizon this year, the nostalgia hit me harder than normal. Instead of a general flavor, nostalgia tends to get colored by people whose loss feels recent, like yesterday, even though they’ve been gone, say, nearly two years. It got me thinking aboutContinue reading “For You or Not For You”
Stupid Questions
September 2nd, 2022 “So I was looking at the long term / Three quarters and I quit school / Now I break hearts as a learning tool.” – The Next Step, “Honesty & Happiness” As that lyric accurately describes, I did not go to college for long. Even calling it “college” doesn’t feel right. ButContinue reading “Stupid Questions”
2
September 1st, 2022 Today is my two-year anniversary at Harry’s. (This is not a photo of us celebrating my anniversary. This is from a wedding a few weekends ago where I was the minister-bartender. Barnister? Minitender.) In 2020, a lot of people lost a lot. I lost more than I ever had in any otherContinue reading “2”
Heard
August 26th, 2022 Yesterday afternoon, I encountered a family of three who seemed overwhelmed. I asked how they were and they told me, understandably, that they had been better. I looked at the documents and photos spread across the table. They had to plan a funeral over lunch. I told them I understood. There continuedContinue reading “Heard”
Trauma Like Candy
August 25th, 2022 When I was growing up, my dad took us camping a lot. That meant a lot of s’mores, mosquito bites, boat rides, sunburns, worms pierced with hooks, hammocks, and campfires. On one particular trip, during elementary school break, I had become fascinated with the fire pit on the grounds. It was madeContinue reading “Trauma Like Candy”
I Am Not An Illusion
August 24th, 2022 Mystery is an amateur magic show. I get frequently asked why I tell people stuff on the internet. Like, the stuff you shouldn’t really tell people, the stuff people don’t talk about like I think they should, the stuff that is heavy or hard. I do it because I feel like weContinue reading “I Am Not An Illusion”
Great Big Tool
August 22nd, 2022 Like a spare key put someplace forgotten, artists can spend their entire lives looking for what it is that makes good art. They go to school for art, attending art classes. They read about making art, and then talk about their art readings. They are taught how art makes people feel, andContinue reading “Great Big Tool”
The Den 