It’s cool and rainy here in Memphis. It’s the type of day that pairs well with soup or chili or cookies (or perhaps all three). When we had a similar day last week I channeled my inner Martha Stewart by making a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies. I’ve been on a steady cookie diet for…
Housing and Eviction
Yesterday afternoon I made my way down Madison Ave. to head towards the river for a run. A woman sitting on concrete planter asked if I had any cash for some food – I didn’t. She wanted to know where I was from, I told her I live here in Memphis and she said ohh,…
Writer’s Block (Sorta)
I think I’ve run out of things to say/write. I can feel myself slipping out of practice (writing). The weather has been fantastic here in Memphis, and so I’ve been spending more time outside. I’ve also started prepping for my move back to Pennsylvania. Today I submitted my change of address form to the post…
Fighting Cynicism
After an amazingly pleasant day yesterday, I sat on my balcony and began writing my observations for the day. What made it pleasant was a combination of the weather and the simplicity of the day. I had a nice walk in the morning, exercised, sat outside a coffee shop and read, went to a bookstore…
After the Cake and Everyone’s Gone Home
Tonight I was hired to edit another short blog story about online privacy. I’m mostly editing to make the language flow a little more naturally. My strengths as an editor (and writer) are in the musicality of language – stringing words together that fit and have a cadence. I am not the best technical editor…
Happy First Birthday
One year ago today, feeling a little overwhelmed by the changes in my life (the loss of an amazing relationship and about to really leave home for the first time in my life) I started this blog. Technically, I registered the name years before and started it one other time – but I let the…
Some of My Blues Song
Yesterday, my former employer announced the hiring of a new CEO. They posted the announcement to Facebook and Twitter. Lots of people welcomed the new CEO and a handful of people thanked the outgoing CEO. One local organization posted the above comment on their own Facebook page. For me, this adds a little bit of…
Public Self, Private Self
Yesterday I started, and abandoned, two different blog posts. I couldn’t figure out where they were going or what I wanted to say. This happens when I try to tackle a multifaceted topic on which I see a whole lot of gray (and know very little about the actual subject). I was thinking about, and…
Change of Plans: A Conditioned Response?
I’ve been disappointed with myself lately. More so than usual. Given how often I feel I could do better (at this, that, and the next thing) I suspect I would have made a good Catholic. I have the confession part down, but I’m not great at the whole praying, penance, attending church, and general religious…
A Few Days on the Road
There are moments, perhaps not much more than an hour or so, when I sit and wonder why am I doing all of this. This being writing, or the job search, or living here in Memphis. In these moments, I’m tempted to pick up Thoreau’s Walden and find a quite outdoor space to read and…
State College, PA
I never gave much thought to psychology and emotions and relationships and baggage until I got divorced and started dating. I assumed we all had baggage and that some of us were carrying it better than others, but that everyone was either trying their best, or in a state of deep denial. Of course, I…
The Lonesome Road to Clarksdale
I’m a blues music fan. I’ve liked it ever since I was in college working in a bookstore where I heard Junior Kimbrough’s album Everywhere I Go. I’m not terribly well-versed in blues history and I certainly don’t know half of the musicians. I’ve read enough about it to know that it was heavily influenced…