When I leave you, precious island I forget I understand that not all is well on our poor earth not right in many lands. The beauty of these mountains the flowers bright and true make guilty of the wanting to quietly return to you. From the visage of hotel rooms I have seen the world… Continue reading Sewing
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Romanian Grrrl
I am sitting on the stoop, my feet taking the sun on the cobblestones of my little apartment at Casa Baciu, a pensione near the center of Sibiu, Romania. I have been on the road with my best friend, Megan, for ten days and as she went home to Ireland last night I found myself… Continue reading Romanian Grrrl
My Husband Caught On Fire (and now I’m damaged)
I was walking through my neighborhood today, off to my favorite quiet little cafe to read and relax, when I turned a corner and stopped dead in my tracks at the sight before me. It was the old Ryukyu house that I had always loved walking by because it reminded me of how ancient my… Continue reading My Husband Caught On Fire (and now I’m damaged)
Dyke
“GET OUTTA THE ROAD YOU FUCKING DYKE!” The car swerved around me, three twenty-something US enlisted guys in crew cuts screeched so terrifyingly near me I could see the pimples on their bland, white, crazed faces. They sped off in their silver Skyline, preferred car of douchebags on Okinawa, muffler sputtering and growling as I… Continue reading Dyke
Insomnia
I am useless in the mornings Quite struck down by light of day When wisdom slaps in silent warning I simply don’t know what to say. And I lay here quietly screaming With these words around my mouth Drowning in the terrifying feeling That what needs to can’t come out. In the nights it all… Continue reading Insomnia
Christmas at Warren and JJ’s Place
Christmas is a particularly awkward holiday when you are an expat. It was alright when I lived in London because they basically spoon-fed you all the holiday spirit you could stomach from the start of November. And it was cold and dark. There was mulled wine. And a whole plethora of Dickensian allusions to be… Continue reading Christmas at Warren and JJ’s Place
Tamam Shud, A Story
“Cheers,” he wheezed, as the salt dripped down his soaking ginger curls to his fresh, slick chin. “But I think I’ll be savin it for the last.” He coughed at the single cigarette with a blue violence, but he sniggered. “I’ll not be dyin of the cancer so that’s a lark innit?” He was sure… Continue reading Tamam Shud, A Story
On Wilder, Death and the Anxiety Whore
Warning: A Small Rant Will Ensue Below I recently received some comments from a friend of mine in regards to my emotional response to the sudden death of Gene Wilder and they made me cranky. It went something like this: Friend: We all die. Me: Great. Thanks for the buzzkill. Friend: Well it is true… Continue reading On Wilder, Death and the Anxiety Whore
Just Hangin’ With A Bunch of Caspers On Obon
Last night I was told I was officially an Okinawan. By my neighbor, Mika, who was, at the time, getting nice and drunk on the beer that I give out during every Obon Festival in my neighborhood. I think it was something to do with how long I have been in the village of Kitanakagusuku… Continue reading Just Hangin’ With A Bunch of Caspers On Obon
Tuesdays with Mamasan
I have, since I can remember, loathed Tuesdays. In high school I actually formulated a theory about the days of the week in two parts. First that Monday was actually a good day because you could start fresh, see your friends and tell each other or gossip about the weekend. Tuesday, however, well that all… Continue reading Tuesdays with Mamasan