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”
Tag Archives: Friendship
New Day
November 7th, 2020 Every story I have ever cherished has taught me that the most important thing in life is the life of a human being. More important than strength or power or (especially) money. Those stories gave me the weight to balance it out. Intelligence over strength.Compassion over power.Kindness over apathy.Time over money. I’mContinue reading “New Day”
Kindness Sticks
October 29th, 2020 I’ve been pretty quiet lately, and I have no interest in adding to the political discussion. I’m also not the kind to give direct advice, but I do have something to say during this last week of the election. What I’ve learned, especially over the last few years, is simple: when yourContinue reading “Kindness Sticks”
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”
Bigger on the Inside
October 15th, 2020 My dog loves everybody. She cannot handle her damn self when presented (or creating) an opportunity to love on someone. This often displays itself as complete face-licking abandon; sometimes she pulls on her leash so hard my arm is dislocated from the shoulder. The other day, she was happily flopping on theContinue reading “Bigger on the Inside”
Half/Hearted
October 11th, 2020 When I tell somebody I’m going to do something, it’s always half-heartedly. In my head, a plan has as much of a chance failing as it does succeeding. Me saying it aloud isn’t a declaration of my certainty or confidence; it’s more akin to me casting a spell, pushing forth the initialContinue reading “Half/Hearted”
Season Premiere
September 6th, 2020 When you’ve worked somewhere long enough, you start to develop your own ways to describe what it’s like when your workplace hires new people. I’ve always compared it to watching new seasons of your favorite TV show. Some seasons are better than others. They always have some sense of familiarity to them,Continue reading “Season Premiere”
What Lasts Does Not Do So On Its Own
August 17th, 2020 As we watch relationships dissolve en masse, for a variety of valid and irrational reasons, I reflect on how they last. (It’s almost like social media has publicly revealed that maybe humans are not meant to be exposed to so many thoughts and opinions all the dang time.) When two people areContinue reading “What Lasts Does Not Do So On Its Own”
Up With Down
August 15th, 2020 A few times in my life, I have discovered something at the exact right moment I need it. Maybe you’ve had similar gifts. A book, or a film, or a poet, or a fan club; art that transcends base entertainment and emotion to help you along a particular path or over anContinue reading “Up With Down”
You’ve Already Done Enough
July 26th, 2020 This was crazy fun to discover tonight; it’s definitely a highlight of my summer. Like so many before me, I feel like I artistically wasted my twenties (despite releasing three albums [with accompanying music videos], playing countless shows, putting out a web series, publishing three novellas, blah blah blah). Then you findContinue reading “You’ve Already Done Enough”
The Den 