Under-employed, again.

I got laid off on Monday. Saw it coming. Business at the shop was super-slow this month. Our paychecks were late for the third consecutive time. The boss is still ten days past due on the last payment. I don’t have any money. I had to exchange my change jar at the bank to cover [...]

“Stuff Christian Culture Likes”

I recently came across this blog and found it to be very amusing. Although it can be a bit snarky at times the Stuff Christian Culture Likes blog is spot on with it’s lampooning of our contemporary church culture. Based on the same concept as Stuff White People Like, this blog presents a list of [...]

“Let’s have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle.” — U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)

foodstamp virgin

I had my first experience with foodstamps (EBT) yesterday. I got my card a few days ago. Apart from the three hours of wait time, it was remarkably easy to get approved: “Do you have any income?” No. “Are you on Unemployment?” No. “Do you support any other members of your household?” No. “Ok, wait [...]

beckoning new directions for design

The article – Design Loves a Depression from the NY Times – was very interesting and is the first I’ve seen, in a major publication, to suggest that a paradigm shift is about to occur in the design world. It’s a good shift, too. We need a serious change in thinking. Our current system is [...]

10 things Christians can do during times of economic depression

I’ve been unemployed for about two months now. And I’ve read quite a few articles and blog posts detailing strategies for surviving an economic recession – how to find a job, how to keep a job, how to remain optimistic, what opportunities to look for during uncertain financial times – and I have been trying [...]

touch down in Portland, OR

I took this picture on a plane as I was flying from Providence to Portland. I had pulled out my wallet on the flight, to buy a coffee, and realized that I wouldn’t need half of the cards and notes I had accumulated in there – after three years of living in Rhode Island – [...]

Today is my birthday.

My Grandpa died today. It’s also my birthday. There’s meaning in that somewhere, I’m sure.
I’m not sad. I got to see him before he died. He was smiling. He sat up in his hospital bed to wave goodbye to me. That was yesterday.
He died today, while I was in a layover at Houston Intercontinental Airport. [...]

Dirty South: Friends and Family #3

I’m in New Orleans, my birthplace. I’m writing from the Bywater. I miss this city so much. I want to come back. And for the first time since I left I think it might be possible.
This city’s coming back. People have a good attitude. I think its not unlike when someone has a near death [...]

Dirty South: Friends & Family #2

Notice to hipsters visiting Louisiana: Don’t walk up to another hipster and ask, “Where the party’s at?” Because chances are, you are not talking to a hipster. You are most likely talking to someone who is completely sincere about their mullet and handlebar mustache and cut-off jeans. Be warned, that they will tell you where [...]