There is nothing that needs to be written, but there are sparks that must be woven — There is no such thing as a writer In the same way there is a burger flipper Or a construction worker. The writer is not someone who shows up To perform their task, The ethereal task of writing, And leave. For there are burgers needing to be slapped on the…

How do we determine what God is thinking and where humanity should be heading? — There are people all around the world who claim to possess an in-depth knowledge of what God is thinking and subsequently claim to know which direction humanity should head in. They use this to justify many opinions and judgments about human morality and institutions. We needn’t look further than the…

The existential aftermath of staring at an early van Gogh painting for too long — A small red dot emerges in the center of my vision, illuminating the surrounding blackness with a dim halo. A hissing sound cries out from the silence. The red dot fades to a barely perceptible glow. I blink rapidly, trying to regain any semblance of sight, but no matter how…

I’m running away from God and it’s not working too well — I live inside the belly of a great fish, just like that coward Jonah. I spend my days wandering around aimlessly, trying to make a few bucks, or pursuing some hobby or another. I spend my days searching for something to give me hope that my life will be lived for the better. I…

Might octopi actually be aliens? — They’re highly advanced hunters who utilizes lethal strategies involving camouflage. They’re incredibly intelligent, quick learners, and even have a sense of humor. I could very well be describing the Predator. You know, that human-hunting alien from the movie franchise with cloaking capabilities? But alas, I am describing the magnificent octopus. …

Exploring the real reasons why writers can be inclined to the bottle — I tend to write about (and attempt to write like) Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac a LOT. You might say they’re my writing idols. Every time I sit down to write, I hope prose as elegant as The Old Man and the Sea spring forth from my fingertips. …

How talking with bar regulars has influenced my writing — I recently took a part-time job as a bartender. While the main factor in this decision was the money (gotta pay rent somehow, am I right?), I’ve always believed that a job should challenge you to better yourself in one way or another. That’s how it is for me at…

A case study of Spanish vs. American culture — I remember times during my childhood when I would play outside with my friends (crazy I know). We would pretend we were secret agents and hideout near the electrical boxes between our houses, or ride skateboards along the curbs of our driveways as if they were entire skate parks. …

And how Thoreau himself pulled me out of my rut — I recently finished reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau, and let me just say, for someone who wanted to live in solitude in the woods, the guy LOVES to talk. I mean, he legitimately dedicated pages upon pages about how much he loves to talk. …