May 31st, 2024 Today is my mom’s birthday. There are so many beautiful photos of her and this is one of them. I was young when she woke up one day and half of her face was unresponsive; it was during or shortly after she was pregnant with one of my youngest sisters. For her,Continue reading “Beholder”
Tag Archives: Empathy
Silent Lambs
May 23rd, 2024 Despite common belief and evidence to the contrary, I don’t like to write political pieces. In fact, very little of what I’ve written would I consider actually political; most of our arguments and lines of division today come from cultural and moral differences, that get repackaged as shiny political keys by thoseContinue reading “Silent Lambs”
When we meet again in the dark
May 1st, 2024 It’s natural to reflect on your birthday. It’s natural to daydream about your earliest moments, lying on coarse carpet, following the sunlight as it sings through the tiny glass prism your mom hung in the window, leaving stains of every color in the palm of your hand; it’s natural to anxiously dwellContinue reading “When we meet again in the dark”
With Great Stupidity Comes No Responsibility
April 29th, 2024 Human beings are objectively both the most intelligent and stupidest species on the planet and, yes, that includes you. One of my favorite writers, Brian Klaas, wrote yet another phenomenal essay last week about this topic and, while you should read the whole thing, I just want to share the piece thatContinue reading “With Great Stupidity Comes No Responsibility”
goosebumps
April 16th, 2024 What is scary for you? I’ve been First Ave- and Prince-obsessed the past several months, diving into library books and PBS documentaries and YouTube videos and resurfaced bootlegs. There’s a quote from Prince in an interview (his last) that I can’t stop thinking about; he was lamenting the current state of musicContinue reading “goosebumps”
State of Grace
February 12th, 2024 Am I going to comment on Travis Kelce today? You bet I am. Because if there’s one thing I love to do, it’s challenge the rotting hive mind of the rabid mob we know as the internet. I saw the moment last night. Travis comes in hot, taking his coach, 65-year-old AndyContinue reading “State of Grace”
Sunny Days of Rain
January 31st, 2024 What kind of psycho announces and then drops a new book on the same day? It’s me. I’m the psycho. Sunny Days of Rain, my twelfth book and second essay collection, is out now. This video gives you all the information (and affirmations) you need, but I did write a few quickContinue reading “Sunny Days of Rain”
Strange Love
January 9th, 2024 We have different definitions for what it is that makes us human, but mine is pretty simple. Humans have the ability to protect those who are the most vulnerable, and know how noble and sweet it is to care for, shelter, and serve those who need us most. There is a very,Continue reading “Strange Love”
Lefse
December 23rd, 2023 No matter where I turn, I can’t escape the refrain, delivered with a deep sigh: “It doesn’t feel like Christmas this year.” I try to empathize with the observer; I attempt to comfort them by telling them that it’s just the weather. It’s the rain. It’s the lack of snow. It’s theContinue reading “Lefse”
Push: But you really need to listen to me, because I’m telling you the truth, I mean this, I’m okay! (Trust me.)
November 28th, 2023 “I am not fine. I don’t know how to tell people that, but I’m not. I also don’t see the benefit in being honest about it, because I don’t see a way that it will help me feel fine. If everyone knew how to feel that way, then we just would, wouldn’tContinue reading “Push: But you really need to listen to me, because I’m telling you the truth, I mean this, I’m okay! (Trust me.)”
The Den 