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...

The Flying Monkey Apparatus

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

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

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.

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

Momdaytop comments

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.

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

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.

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

Mitzipit!

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.

 

The Benefits of Not Writing Anything. At All.

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.

 

Words and No Pictures

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.

 

The Meritocracy of Tiny Tower

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.

 

New House, Old House

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.

 

eBooks and the Ownership Machine

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.

 
  • 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.