TFMA goes live!

It's been a long road, but we're finally here.  The last few months have been difficult ones, as I've cast off the shackles of conventional living (i.e. making money, eating food, etc.) and...

read more
The Flying Monkey Apparatus

Back is the New Forwardtop comments

by Mikey on January 26, 2012 - 2 comments

It’s been a long time, pre-algebra. Please be gentle.

read more
Bayport says:
Great news Mike! You will be following in your dad’s and sister’s... more
read all

Nothing Sucks Like a Roommatetop comments

by Mikey on December 30, 2011 - 2 comments

Admittedly, the lady I rent from would probably drive any reasonable person nuts, and honestly, I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. If anyone knows of a nice, cozy alley somewhere, preferably one with a coffee shop nearby where I can leech wifi and recharge the occasional electronic device, do let me know.

read more
Mikey says:
Thankfully the landlady doesn’t have a computer. And you know, I’ve... more
Bayport says:
If your land lady sees your post, SHE might find you a nice cozy little alley... more
read all

Momdaytop comments

by Mikey on December 12, 2011 - 1 comment

While I sometimes have trouble remembering what day of the week it currently is, what year it is, and how old I am, at least I can say with confidence: today is Mom’s birthday.

read more
Bayport says:
Thank you dear one for the sweet birthday tribute to me and your daddy. Iam... more
read all

Mitzipit 2: A Great Lack of Creative Titlingtop comments

by Mikey on November 18, 2011 - 6 comments

So I’m really in need of help. I love Mitzi to death, and I’ve invested a lot of time and money in trying to help her as much as I can, but I’m about at the end of what I can really do for her. My back is a major issue, and I can’t take her to adoption drives with local rescues unless I can get her to calm down around other animals, which at this point looks like it will take more money for training, money I can’t spare.

read more
Mikey says:
The pleasure is all mine! And I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated.... more
Marjorie says:
Hey there! For some reason, I didn’t get a notification that you... more
read all

Mitzipit!

by Mikey on November 1, 2011 - 14 comments

Nearly two weeks ago, before I was really up and dressed, having just sat down to submit some more stories to a few lit mags, my landlady knocked on my door and said, “Uh, Mike, there’s a strange dog outside and he doesn’t look too good.” And so it was that Mitzi the pit bull wandered into our lives.

read more
 

The Benefits of Not Writing Anything. At All.

by Mikey on September 23, 2011 - 6 comments

It doesn’t mean you should get up every time you feel stuck, as the best method for accomplishing writing remains and always will remain ass in chair; but if you know you need a break, don’t be afraid to give yourself one. Sometimes the simplest solution really is the best.

read more
 

Words and No Pictures

by Mikey on August 18, 2011 - 4 comments

So after a brief apology for trying to kill her—and this is by no means a guarantee that I won’t try again—we were back on our way, exploring a new world together. It’s… different. The place the story began and the place that it went were both surprises, and I think that’s important. That’s the exciting part about writing for me. To relentlessly plot something is to remove from it the joy of discovery.

read more
 

The Meritocracy of Tiny Tower

by Mikey on July 15, 2011 - 1 comment

At least we aren’t beholden to some dictator who’ll immediately evict anyone whose dream isn’t to fill the opening at the Mexican restaurant.

read more
 

New House, Old House

by Mikey on June 16, 2011 - 1 comment

For those few who may have been concerned about my near-complete absence from the blog, rest assured that I have not fallen off the face of the earth as reported. I’m still clinging desperately to the edge of it, which as it turns out is somewhere around N 28th and Decatur, not too far past the 7-Eleven.

read more
 

eBooks and the Ownership Machine

by Mikey on May 2, 2011 - 6 comments

While I don’t claim that eBooks have no purpose as useful tools, I don’t think a world where parents have their iPads read animated books to their children before bedtime is going to be a better world, and that’s a story I already hear far too often. If I said it didn’t alarm me, I’d be lying.

read more
 

  • From “Lucid Interval”

    She's three years old again, sitting alone on the living room floor. The room is filled with the sounds of Cookie Monster eating on the TV, and she glances up from her toys. But she's confused. Cookie Monster isn't there. He's been replaced by an epileptic fit, a head wrapped in white cloth that struggles against some half-seen restraint.

    Something heavy moves in waves from the TV. She smells fear and disease but can't understand.

    And then it's over. Big Bird is back, talking sense to her, admonishing her with his eyes for even thinking she saw something so adult. Shit like that doesn't happen, little girl. We're one big happy family here.
© 2012 The Flying Monkey Apparatus