Happy 4th.

I thought I knew what I stood for–what I believed in. Looking back, though, I realize I was a brainwashed fool. It was definitely not one of my finer moments.

Painted From Memory–An Exercise in Saudade

I knew Burt Bacharach’s music–he had written for the Carpenters and his songs for Dione Warwick are legendary. His music was on the regular rotation on the easy listening radio station I would listen to to unwind. However, in full transparency, I did not know who Elvis Costello was, I had heard the name, but was not familiar with his music. I have always liked the mixing of genres and the blending of musical styles to create new music.

Part 4-Chugging Mylanta

We’d been following one of the church’s parishioners: Travis. When we arrived he quickly exited his car, approached us, and embarrassedly apologized for the state of the trailer. As we entered, I had to hold my breath because of the smell of mold. I just stared at the torn shower curtain just hanging.

My stomach was in knots at this point.

Hopefully 2022 won’t say: “Hey 2021, hold my beer.”

For the time being I can pretend that: There isn’t a ranging pandemic sweeping through our lives. We are not breaking records for new Covid cases. Betty White did not just die.

Nostalgia, Part 2–May The Force Be With You–And, Also With You

One night, I was watching the Muppet Show. This episode was about Luke Skywalker, R2D2, and C3PO storming through the wall of the theatre looking for Chewbacca. I remember watching and thinking--who are these characters?--this was not normal fare for The Muppet Show. What is this “Star Wars?” I vaguely recall thinking "I am now going to like Star Wars".

Nostalgia, Part 1–Dune

It is the movie that if I were channel surfing and saw that it was on, I would stop and watch it.

Part 3–My father, the narcissist.

This essay is very personal. Probably the most personal I have ever written. I did want to put a trigger warning that it deals with being raised by a narcissistic parent.

Duane and the Sky

He was older, he was cool, I enjoyed hanging out with him. At that point, he had already started his piloting lessons and he would show me his log books, his route maps, and talk about different types of planes. This was what he loved--this was his passion.

Part 2–A Little Ball of Ground Beef

This story starts with my sister praying for a dog at bedtime. I know my sister well enough to know that she really wasn’t praying for a dog, this was a coded message to my parents. Finally, my parents got the message: my sister wanted a dog.

Part 1-OJ and Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain My father likes to retell the following story to anyone who will listen: “We were making our final descent into Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, straining our necks to get our first glimpse of our new home. When suddenly, Curtis said ‘I don’t feel good’, and proceeded to throw … Continue reading Part 1-OJ and Christ the Redeemer →