2019, what can I say? It’s hard to sum up a year, any year, but especially this year. 2019 was loaded—for better or worse. I thought, how about a list? Maybe a list. I’m good at lists… 1. Stained glass! I had a decision to make this year… I had waited a couple years before taking …
3 big things
Had my younger self caught wind of all the big things going on in my life right now, she never would have believed it. My preteen self would be awfully disappointed about the way things shook out. I am not a famous Broadway star. I have not had any plastic surgery. I do not own …
Painting feature in The Ekphrastic Review
So pumped to hear my mixed media painting, “Purple Night City,” has landed in The Ekphrastic Review alongside this dope poem by Mark Ward: “College Roommate” I’m always looking for ways to combine my words and art, so this was inspiring. And honor! I always refer to my cities as other worlds and they do …
2019, the year of the blog
Ok, I doubt it. Let’s be real here… I’m always saying I’ll blog more. But what if I really did? I have this website with my name, an active calendar, a bio in need of an update… and this years-long confessional dating back to when I was still complaining about post-grad life—as if! Why wouldn’t …
All going but gone
There aren’t too many things in this world that last. See: high school friendships, fashion trends (though they are bound to cycle back), ska music, your favorite cologne, all seasons of The Office available on Netflix. No matter how much you love something, no matter how tightly you squeeze to it… longevity is an illusion. …
What to do when you can’t do
You write about not being able to do. I just spent the last hour trying to find a medium for this rabid, though undeveloped and unsettling outrage. First, I got out a pencil and paper. Then, I opened a Word doc and began a new poem. Frustrated and unable to write that way, I …
“Buy Some Happiness” – Sweet Pittsburgh Sticker Feature in City Paper
Two days ago late, late at night (like morning, of course), I happened to be on the internet Googling and doing a little research on my products. As I Googled, I came up with this City Paper article for back to school season, pimping out my PGH Fun sticker! Get out of town! More …
Sweet-and-sassy Mother’s Day Cards
Save the sweetness for dessert and give mom something better… laughter! If you know me at all, you know I’m super obsessed with making cards. Besides painting, it sort of all started with card making. I love shopping for the perfect gift (and sometimes making the perfect gift), but I LOVE sending mail. I used to …
My first AWP at 12,000 writers deep
I can’t believe I’m here. During my years of undergrad and graduate school, AWP—Association of Writers & Writing Programs—was the definition of cool, was the thing the cool students did. Yes, even in grad and undergrad there is cool. It’s not a concept reserved solely for the untouchables at the middle-school lunch table or the …
Feeling feels in a Post-Truth World
It’s hard to have feelings. No, really! I’m not sure if this is new or I’m just taking notice, but why is it that everyone is always trying to shut down everyone else’s emotions (and in turn, their own)? Lately, I’ve been feeling mega-frustrated with this—almost more of a heaviness than the original …