Every week, I pull up the listings on the Chronicle. The people on the Chronicle forum, who are sometimes a bit cheeky, have a saying: Apply for the Damned Job. I do.

In 2010, a few years after the economy crashed, I graduated with my PhD in English. I know.… Read full post »

I'm skipping right on to the New Year. I'm going to write out some things I'd like to see, and then check back next year, well, you know, maybe, and see what's going on with that.

 1. Let's see. I'd like a full time job with benefits. But, what I'd… Read full post »

the house of night

torquemada roasted their feet baked them very crisp little nuggets

vlad the dragon ate among the corpses, delicious foods every one

hitler gave showers for his enemies their present for twisting up in his sight

perhaps they frightened him… Read full post »

So. The United States Senate, at least the majority of them, just tried to pass, without any changes, a treasonous bill, a bill that would have allowed a loss of due process and indefinite detention for American citizens.

 And it's in a move very very similar to what the Nazi… Read full post »

Complaint 1: Matt Lauer said something super stupid about America and the lottery this morning. It annoyed me with its utter cluelessness. Also, it made me like him a little less. Not that he cares. 

Complaint 2: No one is doing the reading.

Complaint 3: People do not often think… Read full post »

I don't have a lot of time to write. I have to work. I have to work on other peoples' writing, which I don't mind at all, because, actually, I love it. However, I work eight adjunct jobs, instead of one full time job and still, the ends! They don't meet!… Read full post »

Not-So-Simple Steps for Ridding Your Country of Sociopathic Office Holders

I'm just going to throw this stuff out at you. You decide what you want to do. These are simply thoughts, thoughts about ways to change the situation. I'm sure there are better ones.  Here goes:

Forget trying to recognize… Read full post »

This one is a special Halloween repost. Honestly, it's my favorite of the four stories I told that first year I was on OS, because ... well ... because it was.

 At the time I wrote this one, I still lived in California (insert sad music here). How I miss… Read full post »

So, if your baby is caught in a fire and you didn't pay the fee, too bad for you and your baby.

Of course, poor people deserve it, right?

Thank goodness 9/11 didn't happen here. The place would have burned, and no one would have been saved. Of course,… Read full post »

Lurlene gasped in anticipation as the girl slid cool hands up her foot to the back of her calf, the lotion sliding slowly over Lurleen's soft skin. Lurlene's head fell back, her breath coming in small gasps, her heart pounding.

The girl smiled and moved nearer to Lurlene's inner thigh,… Read full post »

I'm not back. I swear. But that post I left up is so depressing.

Here's a repost to take the place of my "Nashville is wee bit wet" post.

 It's about endings. I've retooled only a tiny amount.

And I'll even add a new one at the end… Read full post »

It's been a busy news week. I will acknowledge that. But it's become clear to me, over the last few years, how really truly terrible most news coverage is, including, I'm sorry to say, Salon.

Let me start by telling you a short story that is true:

 This last week,… Read full post »

After much consideration, I've decided to take my leave for now. I guess that this is, in fact, a flounce. I'm not telling anyone for attention. I'm telling everyone so that you can consider this a Facebook invitation. Come friend me. I'm happy to see you all there. PM me and… Read full post »

I'm taking a break. Not a flounce. More like a short lacey train. I'll check email. I'll leave you with Statler and Waldorf. And their sentiments.

1. Lots of wonderful writing

2. Occasionally, some fairly decent writing from myself

3. Minimal Airing of Personal Hatreds/Imaginary Vendettas/Craptastic Nastiness Which I Personally Am FUCKING Sick Of Seeing At All Even In the Fucking Titles

4. Free Coffee Coupons 

5. Photos of Kittens

6. Pho… Read full post »

Mornings I’d rise, hearing their laughter. Stagger in, teen-aged, pajama'd and sleepy. These fine women sat at the table. My mother’s friends, a cackling coven. Greeted and teased until I retreated to breakfast. My mother's best friend patting my arm. Red hair. Tall boobs. Swathed in smok… Read full post »

Let's just start right off with a list!! These prejudices are mine. No one else's. I cannot and will not generalize. Jeez, I'm not all that and a bag of chips. My opinions do not rule the world. That's Cindy Ross, of course. ;)

1. I like people who are… Read full post »

And I will now celebrate getting a doctorate the only civilized way possible. 

Okay, I'm driving the last leg from Albuquerque to LA today, so I'll make this fast. Make of it what you will.

 1. Lord of the Rings

I read these three parts ...  one agonizing book every two or three months, because they were my cousin's and I had to… Read full post »

I know I am getting old. I mean, first, of course, I can count, but I know it also because of a few things that happened yesterday. 

I'm staying in a hotel, and upon checking in to it, I was confronted by what I like to call a 'breast talker.' You… Read full post »

I fear using the word 'legacy' will make me turn 85 in  the next ten seconds.

Here is my legacy ...

1. I like lists. I haven't figured out why lists are problematic today. I'm not in on that part of the dust-up, but I like my lists and won't… Read full post »

From as far back as she can remember, which is far, she must admit, baby bottles made of glass, and cool blue and pink pins for her diapers, it has always been the same. When she was six, she didn't even think about the gift. It was that way for everyone… Read full post »

Do you ever wonder if the more paranoid people are right about 1) the moon landing 2) Area 51   3) fluoride in the water  4) chemtrails  5) every conspiracy ever? Do you ever have a suspicion that they might have a valid point?

 Do you ever, in your heart of… Read full post »

1. Why does what other people see as "behaving professionally" sometimes seem suspiciously like lying to me?

One example: if a person is clearly behaving in an erratic way and that person is in a position of authority, you shouldn't mention it. It's just not done. Or so I am… Read full post »

I know you.

 You're not going to listen to a thing that I tell you. 

 So, I'll make it short and sweet. 

 1) You are very pretty. Knock off the bad mouthing about yourself. When you look back at pictures of yourself from this time, you will be… Read full post »