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Lessons Collected Gone Unlearned
No fall air was cool enough. No comfort found in words. Every little sound in the soulless night was a sinking hole. But their words… those words against the screen screamed like deep red blood. Seen by the blind, a voice heard by the deaf, mind read by the nescient. A nonexistent heart beat that could be found without a stethoscope. Disregard. Betrayal. Egotism. Use… All of the above. The kind of feeling no mortal should ever have to experience. How do I know? I’ve lived long enough. Rubbed all in your face when you’ve been nothing but kind, careful with your own words, hoping to kill not even a…
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Out of My Comfort Zone
Have you ever just felt really out of place at some place at some point in your life? I wrote this down on my notepad as I downed some tacos at a bar one night, a few years ago. What I wrote was much longer — the rest of it made it to my book of essays Nostalgia and Deal Breakers. These isolation times are reminding me of those earlier times for some reason. Can you relate? A lot of people are afraid to admit these sort of things. For the record, it’s healthy to let it out of your system! Here’s the story I took a deep breath upon…
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R and B – Things that Are but Shouldn’t Be
Sunday work in the morning breeze. Sushi made with cheese Autoimmune disease Monolinguals in these seven seas Prepubescents all over IG Your name on everything but my caller ID Good intentions going quietly People sitting down when the DJ drops the beat Our twisted version of democracy Disregard of right to privacy Girl on girl rivalry Presidents lacking intelligence and decency Substance abuse High prices on organic foods Belittlement of different views Men telling us when to reproduce Customer service reps with attitudes People dying of hunger Marriage when you’re younger Credit scores turning us into a number Reality shows that make humans dumber Gardens with no flowers Working by…
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Who TF Wants to Be Depressed? Lifing 101
While searching for inspiration, I came across a million great writing prompts. One of them, though, said: “Write about happiness.” I rolled my eyes. To be more accurate, that Robert Downey Jr. meme? That was me…for a good ten seconds. The truth is everyone wants to be happy. I mean, who TF wants to be all depressed? Come on! That’s life-ing 101. If you search the tag, it is probably one of the most popular posts on social media: #happiness. That’s because, again, everyone wants to be happy! Here’s the thing, you just CAN’T write about what happiness means to 7.7 billion humans. And, you certainly can’t tell someone to…
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Stationery by SayEtcétera
This is just to remind you, my dear readers, that I make these little designs, which then end up as a greeting card on Zazzle — and in other paper forms. They do the printing, mailing, etc., and the final product comes out looking really nice and cute. (Proud stationery parent over here.) You can customize it to your liking, as well. Check it out sometime when in need of an unconventional greeting card. 💌 Greeting Cards by SayEtcétera
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Live it Up – Your Way
Live life dangerously, but cautiously. Exuberantly, but modestly. Eagerly, but patiently. Fearlessly and fiercely. Most importantly, live life…suitably: your way.
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Red Flags and All That Jazz
Sign language is an artistic way of communication that not all of us can interpret, nor master. Isn’t that the same reason that not all of us can read signs—as in, metaphorically? Red flags aren’t always red; green lights aren’t always green; and sore points aren’t even visible. Science says humans are at the top of the list for most intelligent creatures, but some animals have a better response and reaction time when they sense harm or fear. I get it. Things aren’t always clear. You need a voice to go along with that sign, don’t you? I regret to inform you that you’re on your own. The good news…
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Letters to Ex Lovers – Excerpt 1
I couldn’t understand your urgency that night, wasn’t it past your bedtime? “Is it true, you’re seeing someone else now?” you asked. I was so confused. But, “yes,” I replied. “Do you love him?” “Of course not.” I laughed. “I just met this guy.” You never called me before that night. You never showed interest in anything other than back-alley encounters at midnight. Why did you care if someone wanted more of me, more than you ever did? Why did it matter to you now? I was confused because I felt nothing for you then and I’d thought it was a mutual thing, but little did I know you felt…
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Your Own Rhythm
Sit down and write even when you have nothing to whine about, they say. But it’s hard. Especially, after some time apart from your vibe, that which makes your talent shine; that which tells you how bomb you are; that which motivates and inspires you to be the brightest star, someone’s best advice. It can be hard. Why do I always end up with rhymes? Ahh, that poetic life… A writer’s life is all about stories, visuals, someone else’s life. Picking stories from the doctor’s visit, the grocery store, the car wash, a baseball game, the bar… One has to get involved, be social, cross oceans, and actually live life,…
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Why Poetry?
Pensive, he looked away as if trying to find the words that, maybe in his mind, would not offend me. His shoulder touched his chin for a second before he said, “I mean, I just don’t get it. What’s the point?” “Of writing?” “Yeah, I mean, writing, blogging…poetry — who’s reading this and what’s the point of it?!” My heart sank at the realization that this guy I liked so much wasn’t able to see the power of words; the fire, the passion, the rational thinking that is found only through these irrational thoughts and imagination. How could he fail to see the beauty in it? “But it’s so…f-cking…beautiful,” I…
