2020: A Lesson, A Curriculum, An Education

December 31st, 2020 It is fair to say that this year sucked. It is damn fair. And it is a truth that we will have wasted our time if we decide to learn nothing from it. So, with that in mind, here is some of what I learned. – I learned not only is tomorrowContinue reading “2020: A Lesson, A Curriculum, An Education”

Subconscious Wormhole

December 3rd, 2020 May 1st, 1985. I’m born. I am my parents’ first child, as far as I know. September 16th, 2020. I get a phone call from my sister. My mom is in the hospital due to extreme stomach pain. Within a few days, we learn she has cancer. We are optimistic and readyContinue reading “Subconscious Wormhole”

Things I’ve Learned Happen After You Lose a Loved One, Part 2

November 18th, 2020 The seconds, hours, and days keep ticking by, and I keep learning new things about this new time in my life. I may as well write you a letter in the form of a sequel. Things I’ve Learned Happen After You Lose a Loved One, Part 2 – I hurt the exactContinue reading “Things I’ve Learned Happen After You Lose a Loved One, Part 2”

Silver Linings My-Books

November 8th, 2020 2020 has seen a lot of dang clouds, but there are always silver linings to be found. I managed to release two works this year, and both The Weirdos: Volume I and Theia are official contenders in the 2020 Minnesota Book Awards. The Weirdos is a graphic novel about a collection ofContinue reading “Silver Linings My-Books”

Do You (Still) Believe in Magic?

November 2nd, 2020 I chose the wrong time to peek behind the curtain. This year has been one of intense loss for many. I have to keep my face forward, because as soon as I turn my chin to look back at my own losses, it feels impossible to steer it toward the future again.Continue reading “Do You (Still) Believe in Magic?”

Things I’ve Learned Happen When You Lose Someone Close To You

October 17th, 2020 If you’re an obituary person (which is an odd kind of person to be, but no judgement), my mom’s will be in Sunday’s edition of the Star Tribune. You can also read it online here: https://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000371633/?fullname=diane-marie-vogen I’ve been told by many people that apparently I am the type to write down words,Continue reading “Things I’ve Learned Happen When You Lose Someone Close To You”

Sober Distancing

April 11th, 2020 This is a shout out to my beautiful peeps who are dealing with the same stuff that we’re all dealing with, but also doing it sober. We live in a world (and social media climate) that actively promotes and adamantly believes in the idea that to get through things — big thingsContinue reading “Sober Distancing”

Don’t Make Me Sing

February 17th, 2020 Every time I see a show, I’m reminded that I used to make music, and that I miss it sometimes. If you don’t know, I started making music as The Next Step back in 2003. I started with EPs and sporadic song releases, until I released my first full-length, “Something Old, SomethingContinue reading “Don’t Make Me Sing”

Waterwatereverywhere

January 31st, 2020 I see clouds. A lot of them. I see them literally; people keep telling me the reason January has felt so long is because we haven’t seen the sun. And I see other kinds of clouds, too; a news story on the rise of suicides last night, more and more people inContinue reading “Waterwatereverywhere”

Letting Go

November 19th, 2019 Last week, I was feeling down. One chilly afternoon I was listening to some of my friends speak from the heart, and one of them said something that somehow explained and helped me understand it. He said, “Now when I get up in the morning, I just have to remind myself andContinue reading “Letting Go”