Stories Told. Lives Changed.
I’m lying on my back on the floor, staring at the ceiling, and I’m afraid to move. The vertigo has been in my brain for 5 weeks. And though symptoms have subsided enough for me to function, I still feel like I’m falling off a cliff every time I sit up or roll to my […]
I was in no immediate danger. Just a college senior, 100 miles away, sleeping his way through a philosophy of education class when the buildings exploded. Our old professor finally couldn’t find the words. He just pointed and said go and I found myself in a courtyard standing with the other faces in a loose […]
In 2013 I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that chewed a hole in my cerebellum, atrophied various muscles, impaired my vision, balance, coordination and consequently stole my confidence and my ability to run. I have dedicated the summer of 2018 to regaining my strength, coordination, balance, and relearning how to run. I am participating […]
In 2013 I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that chewed a hole in my cerebellum, atrophied various muscles, impaired my vision, balance, coordination and consequently stole my ability to run. I have dedicated the summer of 2018 to regaining my strength, coordination, balance, and relearning how to run. I am participating in a 5k […]
This week marks two years of showing up, sitting down and writing–everyday. Some days I pumped out thousands of words. On others, I farted a few foul sentences and went about my day. But such is the writing life. When I first committed to writing, I held a secret position that green writers often hold– […]
It’s the day before our annual family vacation at the New Jersey shore and my wife is buzzing around the house doing chores. Vacuuming and cleaning out closets and dusting and hanging pictures we meant to hang last summer. Amidst this whirlwind of Windex, I’m on the couch watching Predator 2. Bill Paxson just met […]
If you teach long enough you’ll come to learn that the human story never graduates. I last saw him 11 years ago. Waiting for the graduation procession to begin, under that shadow of his squared cap, tassel dangling about his face, he smiled and said, “Mr. Armstrong, can you believe it, they’re actually letting me graduate!” I smiled, “Yeah, […]
I turn 37 this week. To my surprise, I don’t mind getting older. Seriously. I would much rather be 37 then 27. Sure 10 years ago I was a few pounds lighter and strapped with a few less responsibilities but at 37, I feel like I’m finally starting to really learn some things. I […]
For me, it wasn’t long ago that the end of the year meant partying like a rock star deep into the suburban night followed by long, lazy stretches on the couch, burning afternoons away and watching an endless string of romantic comedies on TBS. But now, I’m proud to announce I’m a responsible adult (of […]