Semester I

December 15th, 2024 Last night, I submitted my last project of the semester. I just did a semester of college! That’s one down, this time around. So: what did I learn? Turns out: a hell of a lot. College did not radicalize me, or even re-radicalize me. I have actually been rad most of myContinue reading “Semester I”

VII: The Phoenix

December 9th, 2024 Seven years ago today, I flamed out. My throat opened and drained the tiny bottle of sauvignon blanc from the trunk of my car and I decided it would be the last drink I would ever have. For then. For now. I don’t have to get into the rest in detail (itContinue reading “VII: The Phoenix”

Knife-work

November 19th, 2024 I work in an industry where people often complain on both sides of the table, and live in a world where that’s true at least a hundred times more, but I had two experiences last week in that work, in this world, that were wonderful, and I’m just going to write aboutContinue reading “Knife-work”

Twin Cities Con 2024

November 10th, 2024 It’s been said by people way smarter than I am that we should “find community” this week and be with each other. Twin Cities Con couldn’t have happened at a better time. (A special thank you to the peerless TCC gang who make this show one of my favorite weekends of theContinue reading “Twin Cities Con 2024”

Take a look, it’s in a book

October 14th, 2024 “Are you a reader?” I asked her. I always ask when people approach my table now. “Yes?” the woman said, her face distorted. I asked why it sounded like there was a question mark at the end of her answer. She said she was startled by the question. Doesn’t everyone like toContinue reading “Take a look, it’s in a book”

School Update: October ’24

October 2nd, 2024 I can’t believe it, but I’m already six weeks into being back at school at DCTC. People keep asking me how it’s going so let’s talk about it! • I joined a club! I went to my first Creative Arts & Writing Club meeting today… and I walked out of the meetingContinue reading “School Update: October ’24”

National Recovery Month

September 24th, 2024 September is National Recovery Month. If you’re reading these words, then congratulations: you know someone who struggles with addiction! I couldn’t begin to list all the reasons why I’m public about my own sobriety, but there are two big ones: 1. I believe that light is a disinfectant; that so many ofContinue reading “National Recovery Month”

Back 2 School

August 12th, 2024 Twenty years ago, I tried to go to college. I failed. Kanye West wrote an album about it. I’ve done a lot with my life since then. Writer. Artist. Dad. Restaurant guy. Superhero. But never achieving a degree has both been a deterrent to realizing or advancing any kind of career, andContinue reading “Back 2 School”

Shake It Off

August 6th, 2024 I love Tim Walz. To be clear, when I say “love,” I mean I love him as a fellow dog dad and decent human being, not in some cult-like, vaguely-romantic way. I want to tell you a story about haters. I’ve worked in restaurants for a very long time. Maybe since theyContinue reading “Shake It Off”