Midwest gray is a special kind of gray. Especially in February. A looming dome of glum sits over the world like a cup closing over a flame. And the bubbling promise of spring is still four scores away. “How ya enjoying that Lean Cuisine, Tubby Guts? It was only a matter of time before He … Continue reading Southwest is Paging Him, Part I
Author: BuddhaManAndy
I have devoted myself, because of my traumatic brain injury more than a decade ago and getting sober 7 years ago, to maximizing my new brain, like a Solitaire deck but with all the Aces and most of the face cards missing, by any means available.
Reflections on a Seed
Acorns. Poppies. Like the redwood and the bonsai, seeds encompass all manner of different potentials. We are the same. Like the vastness of different seeds in the natural world, each of us comes into this world with our own genetic makeup. Some seeds large, some small, and all have their own special natural code written … Continue reading Reflections on a Seed
20 (Or The Art of Juggling)
Yesterday, I gave myself a gift. Toys R Us didn’t have a juggling it, but I did buy 2 pink and one lime green Swoosh-thingys. That and the You Tube video How to Juggle should be enough to get the Swoosh rolling. Actually, that’s why I bought Swooshes and not balls. So they … Continue reading 20 (Or The Art of Juggling)
On Grief, Recovery, and Finding the Right Path
A few days ago, a woman at a meeting was talking about a friend of hers who told her that there were certain things she had to do in recovery to somehow “get it right.” When one goes through the death of a loved one, many will call it your "healing journey" and insist that … Continue reading On Grief, Recovery, and Finding the Right Path
Gimme Shelter
I'm Back.
Condoms and Crocodiles
When you grow up as Catholic as I was, chances are you’ve done a fair amount of service work. In my life, I’ve done community service for a number of organizations and some wasn’t even court ordered. Some of it was required as a condition of completion of an academic course, probation or my residence. … Continue reading Condoms and Crocodiles
Strength in Numbers
He leaned in, His fingers craning out His mutilated earlobe near my mouth. “I’m sorry. Didn’t hear you. What was that?” I stared straight ahead. “He called me a joke and squatter.” He laughed to the point that He began wheezing uncontrollably, whiskey flying everywhere. It wasn’t even a room, just a blank white space … Continue reading Strength in Numbers
Puff Daddy Indian Bear
"Did you come up with that name?" “Yes.” Mitch said. We settled in to smoke our cigars. It was a little cigar bar just down the street from the ¾ house. There was a Texas Hold’em game going on the same room, so I felt right at home. I liked Mitch. He moved in to the … Continue reading Puff Daddy Indian Bear
The Introduction
Yesterday I wrote the introduction to a book project I’m working on. I’d tried to write it once before, but it requires me to go into a very dark place where He lives. For any newcomers to this blog, He is the persona that I have created to represent my addiction to alcohol and marijuana. … Continue reading The Introduction
Go Start the Car
“Happy New Year!” “It’s the 6th,” I said and yawned a mighty yawn. “Whatever,” New Year Baby said and ashed his cigar in the trash can. “You’re late. Weren’t you supposed to get here, like 5 days ago,” I said and swung around to a sitting position on the bed. ‘I’m never late. I … Continue reading Go Start the Car
My Zen Brain 