stories – Page 2 of 3 – Rasmenian detritus

Finding Hope in a Galaxy of Women’s Stories

December 14, 2017November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

If you're reading this, that means we made it through 2017. What seemed like a hopeless quagmire of shit and doom in January is still an insane quagmire of shit and doom, but maybe it's a little less hopeless. A little less shitty and a bit less doomy. At least, in the way that I'm choosing to view it, the world is still broken, but nearly one year into the most powerful country in the world being run by a bile-spewing fleshy cesspool of fetid narcissism, I've seen plenty of clear reminders that he isn't the one with all the power. I'm still angry. I'm still worried and freak out a lot, so when I catch myself sinking and letting my imagination overwhelm me with worst-case scenarios, I look elsewhere. I follow the advice of Mr. Rogers, and I look for the helpers.Lately, though, I don't stop with the helpers. I look for the fighters. The resisters. After watching a...

Short Stories and Tiny Blissful Moments

July 6, 2017November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

How are we doing these days? Holding up? Hanging in there? I hope so. If you're reading this, I hope you're doing so during a brief pause from doing nice things for yourself like reading books, making art, drinking beers, and eating some really incredible food. Tiny blissful moments are a big deal. Everything that's going on in the world constantly draws me in and I feel compelled to read the news and dive into my Twitter feed, but lately, I'm suffering from information fatigue. Mostly, it's Trump fatigue. I don't need to experience a daily bombardment of voices each day telling me that he said an awful thing. Both sides harbor their own set of obsessions that tend to weigh heavy on everyone. Too much of that shit and I start to morph into Rust Cohle from the first season of True Detective.There's a lot of scared people. Angry people. And people who think none of this matters, or...

How to Find Closure When Your Bullies are Dead

June 24, 2016November 30, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

I wore the dress because it was Halloween. One day where we can dress up and pretend to be something that we're not. Something we don't get to be every day. Something more wild. Cooler. Louder.My dress had a newspaper print pattern splashed with neon pink and green. My mom wasn't crazy about it, but I loved it. It was cheap, so I was allowed to buy it when we were shopping for new clothes a couple months before. However, she hardly ever let me wear it. It was too "tacky" and too "loud." But then, Halloween approached and I had a last minute idea. I was now 12 years old and adult enough to dress my own self up for Halloween, thank you very much.I put on the dress. I slipped into my neon green jelly shoes. I sprayed red and black and glitter into my hair, which I curled and teased and sprayed and poofed. I did my...

Stories, Meat Sacks and Pagliacci Suspenders

August 25, 2014October 5, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

“What's wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy gentlemen. If we're going to fight a disease, let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference.” -Patch Adams * * *I used to have a really cool pair of suspenders. I wore them whenever I had the chance and along with my Wonder Woman Underoos, they were probably one of the most special items in my wardrobe. Maybe, if you were a kid in the late 70s, you had the same pair.If you did have a pair, or even if you didn't, you probably knew why some of those weird kids were into rocking the rainbow suspenders.Because Mork rocked the rainbow suspenders. And Mork was awesome.In 1982, the year that Mork and Mindy came to an end, my mother and...

And The Winners Are…

June 20, 2013November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

Just pretend that I read the title of this post in a big, booming voice, complete with the melodramatic flourish of a sparkly Academy Award presenter.Last week, I asked those among you who were willing to share your travel stories; the pain, jackassery and frustration that erupted when a pleasant vacation is what you had in mind. Quite often the trip we've planned has nothing to do with the adventure we actually experience.That's what I wanted and some of you delivered. Now it's my turn to deliver.Here's what I promised you last week:- I’ll give the best story signed copies of both of my books, Human Detritus and Broken Abroad.- Second place, I’ll give you a signed copy of Broken Abroad.- Third, a signed copy of Human Detritus.I've read these little stories over & over again. From Morocco to Barcelona to Oklahoma to Greece to Scotland. I laughed about police interrogations, mistaken identity & camping trips gone awry. I also...

I’ll Give You Free Books if You Give Me a Little Story

June 13, 2013November 23, 2020 by Rasmenia Comment Closed

Some of the most memorable trips we take are the ones that go horribly wrong. We plan on an exciting adventure, or a relaxing getaway, only to end up injured, sick, lost, or in the midst of an absurd comedy of errors.Maybe we get an adventure we never expected and are forever changed.I've told you some of my travel stories, Internet. Some happy and absurd, others much more angry and frustrated. I've just released another book, Broken Abroad, which is all about change, travel, comedy and anguish.I'm sure you've got plenty of your own travel stories filled with pain, jackassery and odd things. So, why not share them and receive a small reward?- In the comments below, give a brief story (no more than 200 words) about your travels gone wrong. The most awkward, hilarious, painful and frustrating stuff. You might get a free book for it.- I'll give the best story signed copies of both of my books, Human...