I had a bit of an emotional morning the other day .. at a strange place no less: A gas station.. After filling my car with regular octane, I walked into the store to grab a snack and coffee … and noticed Halloween candy. Halloween candy!? And back to school signs! Autumn!? School buses!? I … Read moreTHE END OF AUGUST. THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL DAZE.
I put 760-733-9969 as a permanent phone number in my phone a few years ago.. It is the famed (if you remember it) Mojave Desert Phone Booth. For years now I have been remarkably fascinated by the story.. A phone booth, in the middle of the desert, the internet ,in its infancy, and all of that … Read moreFor a good time call 760-733-9969
So often, it seems that I am posting “end times” stories on this website. End times for schools in my area.. for churches.. for stores.. End times for the fabric of the once strong and proud coal region of Pennsylvania.. End times for so many things. Believe it or not, I am mostly a positive … Read moreRetail hell and the murder of malls
In May of 2015, I posted a photograph of my son Ayden in a store that was closing in my mall. In the article, I mentioned how similar the photo looked to one taken of me, when I was three years old, in Centralia Pennsylvania. I have the photograph of myself. I did not publish it … Read moreThe 33-year-old photo, signed sealed and delivered
It’s true.. Get ready.. Anthony Hopkins regrets reprising his role as Hannibal Lector in both HANNIBAL and RED DRAGON.. And I could not agree more. Deep down, I know you do too. Call me crazy. But here’s my thoughts.. Neither film was worthwhile.. Neither film was memorable.. and neither film was necessary. He was interviewed … Read moreHannibal regrets the Cannibal: Hopkins didn’t like his second and third attempt at horror icon
In the purity of the 2016 prediction that books are going to make a triumphant return to our collective lives in the world, me and my entire family joined the library! Very exciting stuff.. It was actually pretty awsome to see my son pick out some of his own books that he wanted to take … Read moreTime 1. Library 0
This is my original artwork.. it’s my nostalgic Christmas postcard to you. The scene I drew in this picture, several years ago actually, is gone now. It is of the former St. Ignatius Church in Centralia, PA, a place I attended Christmas midnight mass for several years when my life began. The road signs are … Read moreTHE NOSTALGIC IMAGE OF CHRISTMASES LONG LONG AGO
The final few days of shopping are here..The last chances to wrap gifts.. Tis the season for small annoyances, like bad traffic or office Christmas parties where someone you never expected would get a bit too tipsy, or offensive. I have often thought that often co-workers (sometimes family, too), aren’t people you pick. They aren’t … Read moreNew Years dissolutions
I went to an auction today.. a bit of an emotional roller coaster sort of began and ended at the right time in my life.. at the moment when I understand things better than before.. at a point where I can forgive, forget, and focus nostalgic memories when needed for perspective. I went to the … Read moreTHE FINAL ALMA MATER IN AN ABANDONED SCHOOL
Ever since childhood, I recall having horror movies somehow in my life. Pop cultural icons of the 1980s included HE-MAN and ALF, and Freddy Krueger as well. Entertainment news was saturated with the blood of slasher flicks. There was no escape. Nightmare on Elm Street had multiple parts. As did Jason Vorhees’ seemingly yearly trips … Read moreMy son asked me about horror movies and I didn’t know what to say