For most of my life, I was a user and an addict. I stand before you today, happy to report, I’ve been a recovering labeler for six years and counting. “Bisexual” was my label of choice. I found it in a medical dictionary when I was 10 alongside “hetero” and “homo.” I read the definitions […]
Madison Avenue, Pee, and the Catholic Church
HENRY: So, Max, how you comin’ with that breathing idea of yours? It’d be phenomenal if you could ever iron out the mechanics. Here on Madison Avenue, we’re big on mechanics. Big ideas are only as big as the mechanics that make ‘em work. MAX: Mornin’ Henry. I’m on it. I went to see Urinetown […]
Don’t Let Superman Near My Plates
Silver Nugget in Crystal Lake, Illinois, was my favorite pizza place and hangout for years. The pizza was deep dish, like Gino’s East in Chicago only better, situated in a country-style roadhouse whose décor, garnished with touches of whimsy and elegance, could only be described as Barn Dance Chic. Antique kerosine lanterns and cowboy paraphernalia […]
The Day Cigarettes Saved My Father’s Life
I was 14 when my father got word that his doctor wanted to schedule a follow up visit to discuss his recent chest x-ray. My mother explained this was atypical as my father was accustomed to receiving annual calls to say his x-rays were “all clear.” The look in her eye and tone of her […]
Born Into the Write Family
As my first novel is about to hit bookstores, people are asking why I invested my time, slumped over a keyboard, pursuing this or any project for nine years of my life. In response, all the usual reasons roll off my tongue—”Writers have to write,” “I had a compelling story to tell,” “I need to […]
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