essays

My Covid experience and the cycle of life and death

Three days after my coworker reported suffering from a “weird cold,” I sat minimally elevated in my bed, staring down a positive Covid test. For three days after that, I remained bedridden, my slightly elevated state pushed horizontal by symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, a cough, nasal congestion, body aches, and more. All the… Continue reading My Covid experience and the cycle of life and death

essays

The view from Prohibition and my thoughts on mass shootings

Prohibition Denver, where the events in question took place In the summer of 2018, I was awaiting a friend in a Denver bar when I heard a series of “pop” noises from outside. Numerous times I had heard noises like this and discovered they were a car’s misfiring, but something about this volley struck me… Continue reading The view from Prohibition and my thoughts on mass shootings

essays

Radiohead meets Sigur Rós

At the outset of Radiohead’s "How to Disappear Completely" from their landmark album Kid A, we are greeted by both gentle guitar strumming and a dissonant, persistent synth note–the latter of which tells us that something is off. Immediately, the lyrics begin a story singer Thom Yorke has attributed to a dream in which he… Continue reading Radiohead meets Sigur Rós

essays

The long view: David Cronenberg’s ‘Crash’ and Roe versus Wade

Early on in David Cronenberg’s Crash (1996), James Spader’s eponymous James is driving Holly Hunter’s Helen to the airport after the latter’s husband has been killed and her car destroyed. As they drive, the sexual tension between the two is visceral, and James pulls at his seatbelt in frustration–almost as though thumbing at the belt… Continue reading The long view: David Cronenberg’s ‘Crash’ and Roe versus Wade

essays

Simulating the sacred

A few nights ago, I received a massage at an upscale location in my area on a coupon some students had given me. At this location, massages run around $200, although this price also affords one access to the grounds’ saunas, hot tubs, and meditation spaces. While employing the latter of these services in anticipation… Continue reading Simulating the sacred