Category: Creative Writing

Flipping the Bird Doesn’t Mean ‘I Love You’ in Berlin

I know. It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. No excuses. Well, lots of excuses but no good ones. This one’s been in the works for awhile, so without further ado (and delay)…

I don’t remember the first time I saw the use of the middle finger. I’m referring to the one that nearly universally tells someone off in a wonderful, non-verbal, but clearly defined fashion. It can be as in-your-face as you want or as subtle as scratching your cheek with it, your other fingers curled under, while looking at the intended recipient with laser-eyed focus (admit it, you’ve done it). Continue reading “Flipping the Bird Doesn’t Mean ‘I Love You’ in Berlin” →

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I Shopped at Primark. And Lived.

In America, we have this horrible tradition called Black Friday. It used to start the day after Thanksgiving (and thus, lo and behold, a Friday). But more recently, it has crept into the Thursday Thanksgiving Day festivities. Every year, stores outdo each other in the race to start the holiday sales that much earlier than the competition. I like to think of it as “Oh God, It’s Hurry and Chow Down Your Turkey Because We Have To Go Wait In Line and Hold In Every Ounce of Pee Until Our Bladders Explode Thursday.” Continue reading “I Shopped at Primark. And Lived.” →

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Rebrand, Refocus, Refine: The End of Travel Blogging (but not really!)

What is it about alliteration that evokes a sense of comfort? Stringing together the same letter or sound at the beginning of a group of words has an air of poetry. Maybe it’s that we like order, or symmetry, in our lives. It’s rhythm. It’s style. It’s taking the time and effort to turn a phrase. After all, when Shakespeare writes in Romeo and Juliet, “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes; A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life,” you’re more bound to go, “fu…” than if he wrote, “two kids from parents who hate each other become lovers and end up killing themselves.” Man, that Shakespeare surely was the master of the logline. Oh, and sorry–spoiler alert.

Whatever it is, it brings me to the reintroduction of the Nomadic Writer. Rebrand, refocus, refine. Continue reading “Rebrand, Refocus, Refine: The End of Travel Blogging (but not really!)” →

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‘Back’ on the Cook Islands – Book Excerpt 3

There are two bus lines on Rarotonga, the main island in the Cook Islands. One bus goes clockwise on the main road around the island, and the other goes counter-clockwise. That’s it. It’s a convenient way into town and back. And the buses are just about a step or two above a typical school bus here in the States.

There’s one thing a lot of older vehicles have in common: technical reliability. Or lack thereof. Especially the brakes.

I was coming up on my stop right outside where I was staying, the Aro’a Beachside Inn, when I signaled for the bus to stop. There is no center exit on these buses, so you exit at the front left door. (Driving is on the left side of the road there, as the Islands are a protectorate of New Zealand, thus following New Zealand rules.) The driver opened the door, and I stepped down. One slight problem: The bus hadn’t come to a complete stop. It was more of a slow roll to a stop.

That is, it was a slow roll until I started down the second step.

The rest was a bit of a blur, as I felt my feet give out from under me as I fell straight back, landing on the edge of one of the steps with the center of my back.

Read more of The Ensuite Life available in paperback on Amazon, Kindle, and other e-readers.

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