The Road to Black Diamond Bay

The Road to Black Diamond Bay

A Recollection

At 3:30 am on June 2, 2016, I finally finished Forgotten Sidekick, a forty-minute piece of stopmotion animation. My initial notes go back to December 2012, but in actuality this is a project that has haunted me like a faceless specter for almost twenty years. Or perhaps it is more like Forgotten Sidekick was a boulder launched into the center of the lake of my life, and the ripples touched me again as they spread backwards over my years.

Chicagoland suburbia. The late nineties.

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Wizard's World

WIZARD'S WORLD

AN EXCERPT FROM A NOVEL

EDIE

My older brother Nick died when I was seven. Car accident. I remember his laugh, and I remember the way he could pick me up like a bag of groceries. Other than that, when I think of his face, I think of pictures on our mantle. Or I think about how Mom started using dye to keep her hair blonde, or the album of baseball cards Dad has in his office. 

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The Flute of the Dogarion

THE FLUTE OF THE DOGARION

AN EXCERPT FROM A YOUNG ADULT FANTASY NOVEL

In the backyard of the Academy sat a small obstacle course. A wooden wall stood in a patch of mud; generations of Rangers had cursed that wall as they tried to pull themselves over the top. In a wide, shallow pool with dirty water floated four logs. Students ran across the logs, attempting to keep from falling into the water. Long balance beams hung above the ground, high enough that falls brought bruises.

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Return to Videorama

Return to Videorama

AN ESSAY PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ON THE BILLFOLD.COM IN 2013

In May 2011, my wife and I moved from Portland, Oregon to Chicago, Illinois. We left behind friends, scenery and microbreweries. Also, I exited a field that I had worked in much of my life: video rental.

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Soup for Two

SOUP FOR TWO

A Short Story

“Well, we’re gonna miss you so much,” said Mrs. Johnson, her veined and spotted hand shaking as she took her change from Diane, behind the register. “You were always so nice and had such a pretty smile.”

“Oh, thanks,” said Diane. “You folks made it really easy.”

“Good luck to you in California,” said Mr. Johnson, zipping up his pale blue windbreaker. “You stop in and see us when you’re home for Christmas.”

“Count on it.”

 

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How I Got Into Mexico

How I Got Into Mexico

A Recollection Written in 2012

The nuptials of Katie Hirneisen and Travis Perry were apparently a success. On Saturday, June 16th, Laura and I were going to Cancun to join them, as well as some of Laura’s other dearest friends, for something of a group honeymoon. Being that I had never been to an inclusive resort before, I was mega-pumped. Laura and I were looking forward to a trip that finally compensated for our rather difficult honeymoon in Madrid in 2010. Uncontrollable forces made that less than awesome.

We learned the game’s the same, it just got more fierce. The Mexico Trip. Here is the epic struggle that arose, and the soul shattering-triumph that resulted.

 

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The Man From Argentina

THE MAN FROM ARGENTINA

A Short Story 

The old man sat across from Mindy and Sal with his legs crossed. He wore an expensive looking tan suit, matching the magnificent fedora that sat on his lap. His silver hair was slicked back. Shiny caverns stared out of his wrinkled brown face. Beneath his nose was a tightly trimmed mustache.

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