There are many laws in the USA that are deteriorating our freedoms.  Through the National Defense Authorization Act (or NDAA), the U.S. government is incrementally making it illegal to protest.  For example, it is through this law that it is illegal to protest near government officials,  the very… Read full post »

Chapter Four – A Bottom

That spring semester started out pretty mellow.  I knew my old friends were mad at me for breaking into their house.  I knew I had to go to class and get my grades up.  I started out avoiding my friends and making it to class.  Two… Read full post »

Cry No More, Sad Trees

Cry no more, sad trees;
For what do your leaves fall so fast?
See how the mountains stand ready
For snow to gently blanket.
But the sun’s energy encompassing
Sees not your falling leaves
That now lie sleeping
Quietly, now gently lies
Sleeping.

Renewing is the… Read full post »

There are few things better than fresh baked bread.

Follow this recipe exactly, and you will have perfect bread every time.

Ingredients: (I use organic ingredients whenever possible.)

2 cups bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1.5 teaspoons salt

1.5 cups warm water (not too hot)
2 teaspoons d… Read full post »

Chapter Three – Ray’s House at Christmas

Things went quickly downhill from that point on, and in my usual style, I denied it all.  Over Christmas break, I talked my way back into school, even though I had failed out.  I asked them to give me one more chance; I would… Read full post »

The Manner of the Kids Nowadays

So many droopy pants
Towns with transplants
And breasts with implants,
I never saw:
So many good songs
The crowds in throngs
The showing of thongs,
I never saw.

So many hats worn
Twisted and shorn
And so many forlorn,
I never saw:
Way too… Read full post »

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
• 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks or 6 ounces) Earth Balance, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 ounces very cold Crisco cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 6 to 8 Tbsp ice water

Using a food processor… Read full post »

Chapter 2 – Theft

            My apartment was becoming a lonely place.  I smoked so much pot that I didn’t interact well with my peers.  I was doing lousy in school, and my friends were not sticking around to watch the destruction.  Living on Ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese,… Read full post »

Of Food and Television

Macaroni, cheese, and soda is most their fare
America’s diet fine;
Thy cup runs over with supermarkets’ galore
Isles of chips and cheap wine.

Sometimes God gives them steak or fish,
Yet they are content without
And what they get, they divvy with friends
Yet strangers go… Read full post »

The United States of America is under the impression that its two major parties are at the opposite ends of the political spectrum.  That could not be further from the truth, as we in the Green Party have been saying for quite some time now.  Since I am just some dude… Read full post »

Chapter One

Acid Party

It doesn’t matter.  Arr!  I never go to classes anyway.  I didn’t miss a test, so nothing was really missed.  Still, I like dendrology.  Trees are cool.  I just wish it weren’t so hard, so rigorous.  Damn.  It’s all Latin to me anyway.

Shwag.  All I have… Read full post »

From the Dream of Common Taste Buds

No one comes into this kitchen
Without confronting the stainless appliances
Next to the breadbox, shelves of food,
Photographs of delicious looking peppers.
Without contemplating last and late
The true nature of food.  The drive
To cook, to eat.  The dream of com… Read full post »

The Occupy Movement plans many demonstrations for May Day all around the country, and even the world.

As a teacher, I was not able to leave my students and participate in any May Day activities with the Occupy Movement.  Indeed, maybe I should be participating in a general strike; I am… Read full post »

“You really don’t want to take out $150,000 loan to go into English because you’re not going to be able to pay it back. You might want to think about something else that meets your interest,” Romney said,remarking that “as an English major I can say this.”  Romney graduated w… Read full post »

Celebrating our “Warrior President” – Glenn Greenwald – Salon.com.

Glenn Greenwald is one of the most important journalists of our time.  Regardless of what “side” of the fence you are on, he delivers articles with intense insight and thorough documentation.  His… Read full post »

Yes: I roast coffee in my backyard.  More on that process someday.  For now:

Yesterday, I roasted 5 lbs of Monsooned Malabar. This is a coffee from India. It also has a very interesting story.

Back in the day, that day being those of the British Empire, the Brits loved coffee. … Read full post »

Sometimes, Puppies are Cruel

Ultimately, that is the fundamental lesson, as those puppies whine,
Run in circles, and leave little presents for you on the floor.

Sometimes, the puppies whine at 3 AM.
Sometimes, they whine at 6 AM.
Sometimes, the presents they leave you are clearly seen.
Sometimes, the… Read full post »

Introduction

“Get a hold of yourself, Tom.â€

The sound of Greg’s voice came through a blinding white light.  Slowly, Greg materialized in the midst of that light.  Standing above me, I wondered if I were dead and Greg was an angel about to give me my first lesson in Heaven.  The… Read full post »