• Further Grand Misconceptions of Alcoholics Anonymous (second verse)

    Further Grand Misconceptions of Alcoholics Anonymous (second verse)

    As a modest tribute to one of the most intriguing filmmakers of the last few decades who would have turned 78 today–with a terrific blast of thick hair that even I envied, and an odd Midwestern sexiness that will always give me thigh cramps–I want to share one of my favourite quotes from David Lynch:…

  • This one’s a challenge, WordPress bot.

    This one’s a challenge, WordPress bot.

    1.) My cat, Annie, forever and always. Among her other perfect qualities, she very patiently lets me smooch her nonstop. 2.) Eggs for breakfast. Hard-boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, poached, made into an omelette…they really are the perfect food, healing for both brain and body. 3.) My parents, almost 80 years old and with the energy and…

  • What Makes A Teacher Great?

    What Makes A Teacher Great?

    Thanks for this daily writing prompt, WordPress, because I can speak from first-hand knowledge. Not only was I an ESL teacher for many years, I was also a teacher trainer, meaning that I instructed fluent-level international students on how to be effective, creative English teachers in their home countries. I loathed teaching. Despised it. Never…

  • ESL, Yet Again And Forever: May Gawd Have Mercy On My Soul

    ESL, Yet Again And Forever: May Gawd Have Mercy On My Soul

    Header pic: Me on my last day of teaching with some students in Busan, South Korea, eating fire chicken (buldak).  2007.  Oh, and that’s way back when chicken didn’t make me want to vomit.   When I find myself in times of trouble, there is no Mother Mary.  There are only the ravaging, demonic memories of…

  • Some Sobering Thoughts About Addiction, Matthew Perry, and Gawd

    Some Sobering Thoughts About Addiction, Matthew Perry, and Gawd

    I recently had a conversation with one of my closest friends that found us jumping to the topic of rehabs, recovery houses, and somehow, Matthew Perry.   I have never–not even once–seen a full episode of “Friends,” though I have been the victim of clips here and there.  Nothing about that show seemed appealing, witty, intelligent,…

  • La Pura Muerte: The Dastardly Conclusion

    La Pura Muerte: The Dastardly Conclusion

    Lots and lots of happy dramatic license employed in this entry.  Oh, and header photo taken at the dinner I had with Jem the night before I stared down both the red guy and his pitchfork, and the robed one with a beard and a mighty forefinger.  Were we ever so young?? And that dinner…

  • La Pura Vida? La Pura MUERTE! (Part One)

    La Pura Vida? La Pura MUERTE! (Part One)

    (Header pic: Francisco de Goya, The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters) I feel as though I haven’t been posting as regularly as I should here, because based on what I’m seeing and hearing, there has been a steady increase in readership and / or curiosity: thank you endlessly and kindly for checking out my scribbling,…

  • Wraps: The Wheezing Finale

    Wraps: The Wheezing Finale

    Okay, we are back to wraps!  I must finish what I began. As discussed, I showed up at Sven’s Wraps just before 9 am on my first day, even though the place opened at ten, the first indication that things were not going to be…conventional with this team.  Dianne was supposed to meet me there,…

  • Eee-ess hell, part one of infinity

    Eee-ess hell, part one of infinity

    It’s time.  It’s due time that I finally tackle the topic of The Worst Decision I Have Ever Made In My Life.  And holy Christ dangling from the cross, have I done some weird stuff. Like, I mean– I’ve dropped acid probably a dozen times. As a highly-emotional and empathetic person, this caused sheer terror and…