The year was 2010. Amazon.com was sixteen years old, pulling in $34 billion. Of that, $110.77 was mine. The haul? A $78 knockoff of the black diamond ring Mr.… Read more “A Brutal Accounting: 16 Years of Clicking ‘Buy Now’”
Category: Howls
Personal essays, life lessons, travel chaos, self-compassion fails, and all the weird one-offs.
Groundhog Day, Again
Every year, we return to this familiar pause in time. A winter morning arrives, pale and brittle. The world holds its breath. In Punxsutawney, a groundhog is… Read more “Groundhog Day, Again”
Suksma, Bali
Salvador Dali fancied himself surreal, but then again he probably never visited the islands of Indonesia. The journey would have been too grueling for his pet ocelot… Read more “Suksma, Bali “
Hello Panic, My Old Friend
Hello, Panic, my old friend. It has been eight years since you last attacked, battering the breath from my chest and severing my will from my power. … Read more “Hello Panic, My Old Friend”
The Perfusionist & Myself
Recently I attended a “progressive dinner” in my condo building. It sounds like an avant-garde gathering of enlightened neighbors; it was not. It was a Caribbean-style meal,… Read more “The Perfusionist & Myself”
Peace by Piece
Exactly four weeks have passed since my second open and fifth lifetime heart surgery. Today was a damn good day. I slept in, got acupuncture and spent… Read more “Peace by Piece”
Pity Party, Table for One
I throw great parties. Everyone says so. My last murder mystery dinner party absolutely killed. My annual holiday sweater party makes attendees want to touch their elves… Read more “Pity Party, Table for One”
Scary, Scary Surgery
In 24 hours and 47 minutes (because I am counting), I will undergo my second open and fifth lifetime heart surgery. I will be wheeled away from… Read more “Scary, Scary Surgery”
Fare Thee Well, 2017
We have arrived at the time each year when the masses clamor for an end to the new ‘worst year ever.’ The year 2017 surreptitiously stole this… Read more “Fare Thee Well, 2017”
Plant Lady
Around my 27th birthday, I met a friend at a wine bar to celebrate. She arrived wearing exceptional earrings and holding an odd looking plant. I whispered… Read more “Plant Lady”