I looked out of the small airplane window and I smiled. Then my eyes smiled. Then my ears. Then my chest and my elbows and my hands and my knees and my toes and then all the way back up to my nose, smiled. Euphoria took over my entire body and I wanted to jump … More The Californian Diaspora
When my uncle was in town a few weeks back, we met downtown for dinner and grand conversation. On the night walk back to the metro, in light of one of our discussions, he said something along the lines of — when it’s all over, all that’s really left are the stories we can tell. (I … More The Faces (and stories) of Our Nation’s Capital
About three years ago, my plane landed down in California with an origin of Athens, Greece. When I first came home from my six-month adventure, I was mailed a stack of papers on reverse culture shock. I quickly tossed them in the recycling bin. After all, it’s not like I was coming back from somewhere … More On Courage and Chaos
I have a favorite coffee shop now. It is just my second time returning here, but I know that we belong together. It is one of those simple matches like peanut butter and jelly. Its walls are each a different bright color and are then layered with vibrant oil paintings from local artists. The menu … More Metro Face: The Beginning of a Case Study
Yesterday, I felt like Elle Woods after Congresswoman Rudd pulled her support for Bruiser’s Bill. For those of you who don’t get the reference, I highly recommend you stop reading my blog and go watch the critically acclaimed masterpiece that is Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde. You have to watch it about five times … More “Legally Blonde” Real-Life Metaphors 101
I get honked at out here. A lot. They’re not those passive toots, timidly letting you know that you’ve been stopped at a green light for about a minute already, that you can count on getting in Oregon. They’re not those slightly agitated, but certainly in the right ones you get in California when you’re … More You Bring the Appetizers and I’ll Bring the Natural Disasters
Not only did I find a place to get laptop mellow, but the same place also happens to have a black and white cookie that is done right. On top of this, they have chai — good chai. Goodbye, suburbs. You are convenient when I need Tupperware and assorted garden items from your dizzying array … More Metaphorical Hot Springs
Everyone I meet tries to peg my accent. Personally, I’m not sure what accent they’re talking about. I don’t really think of northern Californians as having accents. If, however, these accent accusers are correct, then where did this voice of mine come from? I think my soul is a vagabond writing songs in all the … More Picking Up Scraps of Accent & the Allegory of the Badlands
I’m not religious, but I have quite an affinity for religious iconography and songs. There is just some sort of strength, some sort of connection that comes out of spirituality that tickles me. There is a song I enjoy where one verse describes a girl on a subway who takes out a toothbrush and starts … More Here’s a Map and Here’s a Bible
Change is a pretty odd thing. It stirs up all sorts of dust and allergens from the very crevices of your life. Slowly, it dissipates and settles on things you can tuck away again and opens other boxes begging to be explored. My present is overwhelmed by change and I’m knee-deep in the midst of … More I Gave Away My Change to the Ukulele Player
ROUGH OUTLINES 