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

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

The Horrible Agony of Sitting Still

When the man I thought was my friend told me he was moving backwards, not forwards I had a sucker in my mouth This slid a dagger across my gut “Sorry, Ahab. You’re here for the duration!” He said. I’ve seen guys come and go That’s fine I’ve tried to set a good example For … Continue reading The Horrible Agony of Sitting Still

Who Brought the Sheep Parts 1& 2

The summer before I embarked on my collegiate adventure in Chicago, my brother Dave took me backpacking for the first time. Well, let me go back. It was “backpacking” in the sense that yes, we did indeed load up backpacks with tents and food and camping stoves and many socks and trek out into the … Continue reading Who Brought the Sheep Parts 1& 2

Who Brought the Sheep? Part 2

My brother and I trekked off to Rapid City after our short sojourn through the Black Hills. Because we had another day on our trip we wouldn’t be spending in the Hills, we decided to journey down to the Badlands. Dave had a friend who was studying to be a Jesuit (think Pope Francis) at … Continue reading Who Brought the Sheep? Part 2

Who Brought the Sheep?

The summer before I embarked on my collegiate adventure in Chicago, my brother Dave took me backpacking for the first time. Well, let me go back. It was “backpacking” in the sense that yes, we did indeed load up backpacks with tents and food and camping stoves and many socks and trek out into the … Continue reading Who Brought the Sheep?

Alcoholism Pays Off!

I‘ve been unemployed for going on 2 months now. I never thought I would go this long without a job, but there it is. So far, I’ve completely cleaned out and reorganized the house pantry and today I took disinfectant spray to the garage refrigerator. I never thought I would be this guy. But then, … Continue reading Alcoholism Pays Off!