The Tenderloin isn’t so bad early in the morning. At the most productive time of day, 10 a.m., it can actually be quite pleasant, so long as you’re walking through with the intent of leaving it. In the Tenderloin at night, there are no sights for your eyes to hold and so they’re glued to … Continue reading Tale of a City: Burrowing pains
A birthright
My mother was pregnant when she came to the US nearly 20 years ago. Too pregnant, in fact; the most far along you could be to board a plane was five months, and my mom was going on seven. But the visa alone had taken years to acquire, so the doctor wrote a note assuring … Continue reading A birthright
‘The Hangover House’
This is the Hangover House It reeks of tuna and a lack of talent Psychedelic paint peeling to reveal the resentful mold that festered for years We forgot to wake up, bad timing, oh well Here, at the House, time's a lofty old riddle; the only false constructs are the failing foundations, and if walls … Continue reading ‘The Hangover House’
‘this took all summer to write’
The year Tony died, my bad luck found me Raided my hideout with a SWAT team Threatened my family and looted the place I gave them my Dignity, wrapped in silver and flesh, I gave them my Soul, I gave them my Name Nothing came of it but bad ideas I found new bones in … Continue reading ‘this took all summer to write’
Thoughts in Kona
My favorite kinds of beaches are the ones that make you feel like you're at the edge of the world. Growing up in California, I’ve seen my fair share of beaches. I’ve sought shelter from the merciless winds of Half Moon Bay, and I collected sand dollars from San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. I’ve started bonfires … Continue reading Thoughts in Kona
Happiness is a hopeless hack
I read somewhere that the search for "happiness" in life is a distinctively American obsession. Well first of all, duh. It’s written in the Constitution. And second, isn’t that kind of odd? Does no other country search for happiness? No one else on this earth wants to be happy? This American fixation stands in stark … Continue reading Happiness is a hopeless hack
Where your dreams go to die is 23
So I ran into an old friend last weekend. We'd met when we were fifteen, in high school. Even though we didn't have a single class together, we managed to spend a lot of time with each other. It was—still is—one of those friendships where you feel like you have everything in common even if … Continue reading Where your dreams go to die is 23
Job Seeking? Try My Sample Cover Letter
Dear Corporate Recruiter, I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in your pitifully underpaid entry-level position. I'm an experienced, desperate young professional with thousands of dollars in student debt and a willingness to accept the bare minimum. With years of internship experience that have yet to pay off, I believe I would make an … Continue reading Job Seeking? Try My Sample Cover Letter
‘that old town’
When I think of that old town One night sticks out, foggy and dull like the overcast sky on a hill, on a night with no sleep and no stars, I watch the spread of the city and its twinkling lights, and place myself at a distance from every single one and everyone at once … Continue reading ‘that old town’
