Apologies.

I knew it was coming.

When I’d planned #write365, I did so knowing full well that my father, who had bravely battled a brain tumor for the better part of two years would pass along into whatever waits for us after the world in which we live and which we will leave. I shrugged, and figured I would be fine. There had been plenty of time to rationalize my grief, to set and sort my feelings and tell him I love him.

And so, I planned and plotted and plot planned. I wrote intricate stories about backstories that would not see the light of day, but would be there to ensure that Ewa Stolarczyk’s friendship with Anita Sobczyk was real, and that they were the founders of the Sick Clique. There were fictional streets written based on factual towns.

On April 20, he passed, and I was sad, but I knew it was coming. There were feelings sorted, and ready to be dealt with. Death until now was easy peasy. You would be sad a few days, and never forget about who passed, but life would go on.

We awoke on April 21 and the tornado hit. Feelings flew every which way, and in the end the only truth was chaos. Up was now down, but only if down was left. Emotions were raw and brutal. The Sick Clique took a back seat and soon after, got out of the car and hadn’t been thought of, aside from clips and phrases and in passing thought as though they were old friends I’d not talked to in a few years, but wouldn’t pick up the phone to talk to for whatever reason.

Things are steadily improving. I told someone the night he’d passed that I’d moved on already to the 5th stage (acceptance), except I was truly in stage 1. And I think I still am. But, I’m ready to be angry and I’m ready to bargain. And someday soon, I’ll accept that the motherfucker known as Cancer took a wonderful life who’d be as proud of me writing as he was of me not writing.

I’ll get back here. Soon.

Real soon.

Coming Along and Two Weeks 02/26

I’ve decided to combine a few ideas into one, to make a more seamless story. The people in Oh-Anon, the Non-addicts will be appearing as part of the story in Paint It (working title). Josh Szewczyk, friend of Larry Szysz will likely be the addict in the group, previously named Jerry.

I’ve written a lot the last few days, but mostly done research on Polish immigrants and immigration in the late 1800’s. Remember, people: research is writing, especially if you’re somewhat unfamiliar with your topic. There are research notebooks in my backpack right now and that excites me.

I feel fairly accomplished so far, having written, researched and otherwise thought of writing constantly the last few weeks. My creativity is really starting to fire and I’m excited to keep going. My sole disappointment is that I can’t find anything to grasp onto with Roanoke. It’s like a boat out in the ocean with a lost motor; adrift and waiting for rescue or bidding time until it sinks.

Keep after it, #write365 challengers.

Paint it — 02/23

Three best friends score tickets to the concert of their lifetime, only to have the lead singer — who battled some very well known demons — kill himself on stage directly after playing the biggest hit of their career “And We’ll Paint It.” The next twenty years of their lives recall that moment for each of the three now thirty-six year olds trying to forget, one trying to constantly remember, and one refusing to believe it happenend. This is Larry. Continue reading Paint it — 02/23

Peter on Loss — 02/19.

When I was younger, I had no idea how to treat death or communicate feelings of death to someone. In a receiving line (I was a Catholic in a former life) at a wake, I would shake the grieving hand, avoid eye contact, mumble the word sorry and look for someone as unhappy as I was to be there. As I’ve matured, I’ve realized what needs to be said and how.

Here, friends is that wisdom. Again: As part of the legacy I want to pass on, I pass these words on to you, my dear reader.

Continue reading Peter on Loss — 02/19.

Others Anonymous — 2/17

Inspired by an overheard conversation wherein two jagaloons discussed the sexual prowess and examples of friends, despite likely never having any sort of sexual relations themselves. This is their story.

Full Disclosure: I gave myself a timer of one hour, starting at 9:35pm. I did a terrible job at not distracting myself through my writing as I threatened several twitter friends whilst writing. However, I attempted to write in a Cormac McCarthy-esque voice without commas and not worrying about sentence splices and allowing for tremendous run-on sentences to occur which turned out somewhat beautifully in my opinion. Raw and unedited follows without the benefit of the backspace, aside from silly spelling mistakes. No words written fully were ever removed.

Continue reading Others Anonymous — 2/17

Recipe of One — 2/16

I am backdating this post for good reason. My writing done on 2/16 was in the form of recipes. While I’m using this writing thing to ultimately publish books and get money and get money to get women and get women to get crazy and get crazy to get out of the house and get out of the house to have peice of mind, what I’m really doing is trying desperately to establish a legacy.

And so, within a Moleskine notebook I purchased years ago with the idea of using as a beer journal before Moleskine came out with said Beer Journal Moleskine notebooks (and subsequently purchased 3) I’m also writing recipes. The idea is that my children then, in turn add pages, purchase their own Moleskine and pass mine down to my grandchildren who will likely be old enough to have a fond memory of their grandpa and fondness for the man he was. I’m hoping they then pass that on to their children who remember their grandma and grandpas.

And so on.

The recipe today was Chili, of which I am quite fond of browning beef, chile peppers, and absolutely adding zero tomatoes and zero beans. This does not mean I don’t enjoy beans nor tomatoes; I assuredly do. However, in my Chili, of which I am possessive, of which I speak of with a capital C for importance and reverence, neither bean nor tomato have a place within the bowl or vessel. No, this Chili with a capital C is enjoyed best with a cool beer as it takes half the liquid from beer. It takes seasoning from ample chile powder, lower case this time as it is not as important as the Chili itself, Chili as a whole.

And there is, of course, my secret ingredient, the one that keeps them coming back for more. An unassuming and yet deliciously paired with chile since the beginning of time — chocolate.

Those fortunate enough to taste will sing the praises. Those who research well have been given ample ability from the above paragraphs to piece the recipe together, or at the very least a reasonable facsimile of.