Case studies

fiction

The bad trip

Bowing to his journal amidst the busyness of the coffee shop, Steven starts in on the final question given to him by a long-distance friend in advance of his psylocibin trip, a question about the nature of his spirituality. “What are your beliefs regarding God?” the question asks. “Do you have reciprocal conversation? Is he/she/it… Continue reading The bad trip

fiction

The Kali Yuga is a teenage hangover

Your mother’s voice, calling you to get ready for school. Immediately, the slice of the headache. The undercurrent of nausea in your throat and stomach, the leaden quality of the bones. You shouldn’t have gone out drinking last night. She is calling again, your mother—her footfalls are nearing your door. When the drinking first began,… Continue reading The Kali Yuga is a teenage hangover

essays

The awkwardness of expertise

“People suck.” “Skin is stupid.” These are actual statements made by my doctor in our most recent appointment, the first being a comment on the origins of the outdated food pyramid, the second with reference to the issue which had led me to seek the appointment, a skin issue. There may be some truth to… Continue reading The awkwardness of expertise

essays

Of her I sang

There were certainly elements of my childhood that were less than idyllic. My parents divorced when I was small, and there were confusing, turbulent years during which I spent summers and holidays with my father, the remainder of time with my mother. During these years, a core memory is of flying through the vast desert… Continue reading Of her I sang