Aspirations

Cappuccinos and conversation with Dad (Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario – photo provided by author I breathe in to start to speak the wordsthat will illustrate all the depthand all the reach of what I feel and seeand hope and wishof where we’ve been and where we are going And then I freezebreath heldeyes blurredwords lockedContinueContinue reading “Aspirations”

Jarmusch Junkies (Memphis, TN)

Bizarre things happen late at night. When you’re just walking around aimlessly, not really trying to get anywhere except away from drunken crowds. When you’ve just spent the past three days quoting from your favorite film set in Memphis, Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch, and have forgotten to even look for the sites that wereContinueContinue reading “Jarmusch Junkies (Memphis, TN)”

Coffins and Keyholes (Pompeii, Italy)

Keyhole to Eternity – photo provided by author I wasthe girl of the chain letter,the girl full of talk of coffins and keyholes,the one of the telephone bills,the wrinkled photo and the lost connections.Anne Sexton When I was in middle school, one of my favorite things to do during breaks and the lunch hour wasContinueContinue reading “Coffins and Keyholes (Pompeii, Italy)”

Earnestine and Hazel’s (Memphis, TN)

Storefront – photo provided by Danger One of my unofficial “rules” that I try to follow when preparing for a trip is pick the brains of people whose taste I admire, who have been to said location, and ask them where I should go that maybe wouldn’t show up in your typical Things to DoContinueContinue reading “Earnestine and Hazel’s (Memphis, TN)”

Trivial Things: Sword Dancing (Kenbu)

Every once in awhile, it’s helpful to look back on times when you were foolish. Out of your element in every way, but going for it anyway, and continuing to go for it, just a little longer than maybe was healthy for you. Which brings me to today’s story. I am often complimented — byContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: Sword Dancing (Kenbu)”

Braving Beale Street (Memphis, TN)

After driving through several states over the prior few days, we were ready to hunker down in Memphis for a day or two. Our first stop, of course, was Beale Street. I can’t say I recommend going to Beale Street during the 4th of July (Holy Sardine Packing Batman!), but I am glad that IContinueContinue reading “Braving Beale Street (Memphis, TN)”

Erubisu (Graceland – Memphis, TN)

Elvis Museum – photos provided by author It’s true: I am deeply, utterly conflicted. Alas, that which I completely and utterly love is also that which fills me with irreconcilable anxiety. Yet as much as my insides churn with angst, I can’t stop myself from indulging. It’s very much a part of who I am.ContinueContinue reading “Erubisu (Graceland – Memphis, TN)”

Trivial Things: The Dream Within the Diorama

Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder today. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam … And wuv, twoo wuv, will fowow you foweva …”The Princess Bride” – spoken by The impressive Clergyman As a kid, I never questioned whether I would get married. Most of the grown-ups in my life who weren’tContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: The Dream Within the Diorama”