This isn’t the type of announcement I had in mind

But it’s here and it’s unavoidable. I’m headed for an additional head surgery on November 14th.

Even though the possibility of recurrence was always present, I automatically moved past it. You don’t think about that sort of thing very often. Plus I’ll have you know, my prognosis is amazing. 

Still though, fuck. Fuuuuuuuuuuuck.

My conscious self focuses on it about 10 times a day. My subconscious self hasn’t stopped processing it since I received the news. Overall though, I‘ve never been better. Life’s never been greater. It’s important for me that you know that.

As much as I want to end this by wishing you Jabronies well, I’d first like to say thanks.

Thanks to those who have read and continue to read through the site. Thanks to those that follow updates. Thanks to those that have put up stickers and tags all around the digital & analog world. Thanks to those that have encouraged me to pursue more, and thanks to the 2 grammar narcs that have made the effort to correct me via mail.

It wouldn’t be the same without you.

P.S. There will be a delay in ALL my responses. This is not a reflection of our relationship, I just have slightly more demanding things going on.

Catch you on the flippity-flip, you Jabronies.

Afterthought

I think it’s a universal feeling. 

It’s disheartening. A blow to your ego. Just when things were picking back up. Just when you thought it was all done with. 

It stuns you; catches you by surprise.

Somewhere within, you have a sinking feeling that you actually kind of knew this could happen. 

Maybe you had the foresight, not so much of the forethought.

Narc at the grocery store

Vermont Ave. / 3rd St.

It wasn’t always convenient for me to tag along with my mom to work. I wasn’t a bad kid, but I’ve been told I can be a handful at times. Whatever that means.

One of our neighbors, Ms. Lillian, would offer to babysit during elementary school summers. It wasn’t my first idea of fun, but we made it work. 

On one of our weekly trips to the grocery store, I was passing the time by taking items from our shopping cart and hiding them away. She was gladly playing along.

Eventually, I came across a value pack of gum that was small enough to slide in my pocket. But a butcher behind the deli counter had seen me hide the candy in my cargo pants. I’m pretty sure we locked eyes. Still, I wasn’t trying to steal. I didn’t even like spearmint.

I don’t remember much of what happened after. Except that the butcher grabbed the store security guard and angrily confronted me. He did have a point, the item in my pocket had not been paid for. But also, consider the fact that Ms. Lillian and I were here every Wednesday, we recognized this man. He recognized us too. AND I WAS LIKE 8 YEARS OLD.

Every now and then I think back: I’d really like to try and understand his reasoning. I wonder if he even remembers.

I do.

That guy was a f*cking Narc.

F, XIII

There’s nothing really special about this day.

It doesn’t always land on the same month. It doesn’t even land on the same week. There’s days of similar significance around the world, but no real correlation between them (except for the whole misfortune thing).

Some people are scared of the day. Others embrace it. Some don’t care and most forget.

I love it. Even when I don’t care or when I do forget.

The birds and the bees

Naturhistoriska

You can smell the age. It isn’t a foul smell, but it’s peculiar. Almost like shuffling through an old book. Except the book is 16 meters long and has been gutted in the name of science (mostly, I think).

It’s the only preserved blue whale in the world and it’s been around since 1865. But the Malm whale isn’t all Naturhistoriska has to offer. It’s a place dedicated to the natural sciences. There are displays on the human body, geology, local ecosystems, and a space for newer exhibits too. 

But the real charm of the museum comes from its impressive taxidermy collection. Thousands of specimens from all around the world are separated and loosely categorized by halls.

Some, like the massive aviary display, are ornate and capture the imagination. Birds come in all colors. Birds of the same color come in different sizes. Birds of the same color and size are a different species. 

Others, like the whole of the entomology hall, make you itchy. Bugs come in all colors. Bugs of the same color come in different sizes. Bugs of the same color and size are a different species. 

You see the variety. It’s too much, that’s probably a good thing.