September 16th, 2021 On Brand They’re called #trends for a reason. They’re brief. They’re passing. They’re ephemeral. I’m struggling to find things on the internet that give me any sense of co-evolution; that is, sites and people who feel like they’re growing alongside me, as a person, instead of chasing whatever trends will get themContinue reading “On Brand”
Author Archives: dennisvogen
Ain’t That Some Sh
September 15th, 2021 I had to walk to school, and home from school, throughout elementary school and high school (and quite a few middle school days, too). On crisp, awakening fall days, like today, or breezy, renewing spring days, those walks contain some of my favorite memories, the kind they try to recreate in moviesContinue reading “Ain’t That Some Sh”
Trash
September 13, 2021 I’m not sure how to talk about anything that’s going on in the world anymore, so let’s just discuss littering. Generally speaking, one discarded candy wrapper isn’t going to destroy the planet or any one individual’s worldview. And I think the person who drops that single piece of trash feels the sameContinue reading “Trash”
Dark Dreams
September 10th, 2021 “I know this sounds like a happy, impossibly perfect ending, but it’s not. I have to work really hard for this. It’s not easy to talk. It’s not easy to ask for help. It’s not easy to accept that others want to help. Like cancer, there is always the fear that itContinue reading “Dark Dreams”
It Should (Not) Have Been Me
September 9th, 2021 There can be an odd guilt with grief that, if understood, can actually be a good thing. I often talk about all these tools I’ve learned as an adult, sober person, but I usually refer to them in the abstract. One of the specific tools I have to take out of theContinue reading “It Should (Not) Have Been Me”
A Little Shove
September 6th, 2021 Inspiration and motivation can come from the strangest and most delightful of places. Making Brushfire is hard. It’s a lot of fun and it means the universe (multiple universes, actually) to me, but it’s been a ton of work and some days I just can’t. There’s an alternate dream reality in whichContinue reading “A Little Shove”
The Power of Positivity, Or I Just Watched The First Season of Ted Lasso And I Have A Lot Feelings To Share With You That I Hope You’ll Read
September 5th, 2021 “It’s the hope that kills you.” It’s a sentiment shared by every Minnesota sports fan and an ironic motto in the show Ted Lasso. Oh, you haven’t seen Ted Lasso? Let me join the mob of fans telling you to watch it now. It’s a show about two kinds of football, sure,Continue reading “The Power of Positivity, Or I Just Watched The First Season of Ted Lasso And I Have A Lot Feelings To Share With You That I Hope You’ll Read”
If You Like The Way You Look That Much Then Baby You Should Go Forgive Yourself
September 3rd, 2021 I used to think I understood the phrase “forgive but don’t forget” but now I’m not so sure. Because how can something be forgiven if it can and will be brought up at any time? This isn’t a simple topic but I’ve been thinking about it a lot so here I am,Continue reading “If You Like The Way You Look That Much Then Baby You Should Go Forgive Yourself”
What Are You Trying To Say?
September 1st, 2021 Let’s talk about words. Specifically, the kind we use to describe people or things we think are dumb or just plain weird. You know the words. We were talking yesterday about a situation that’s all too familar: what do you do when somebody says something that’s uncomfortable for you without seeming likeContinue reading “What Are You Trying To Say?”
The First Anniversaries of a Dog & a Living
September 1st, 2021 Today, I celebrate not one, but two one-year anniversaries: my employment at Harry’s, and the surprise release of my fifth book, Theia. Losing my job at Old Chicago forever was awful, particularly the way that it happened. To use a exceptionally bad metaphor, it was like I was married for almost 13Continue reading “The First Anniversaries of a Dog & a Living”
The Den 