Michael J. O'ConnorinZENITEMy Zen WeekendI am easily overwhelmed. Loud noises, too many people talking at once, or a normal amount of traffic can send me into a spiral of anger or…Jul 1Jul 1
Michael J. O'ConnorSteal My Bike, Drink My SpitFor a 12-year-old in the suburbs, few things can make you feel like you are part of the larger, grown-up world. Drugs are one of them…Dec 4, 2023Dec 4, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorI Took Too Many Mushrooms So You Don’t Have ToI ended up in Seattle because it was far away from the place that drove me insane. By age 21, I had already moved across the country to…Nov 6, 2023Nov 6, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorRenewing My Vow to ForgetI spend most days trying to forget the things I’ve done. At least once in a 24-hour period, I will find myself cringing or shaking my head…Oct 2, 2023Oct 2, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorMy Last Day in the Restaurant BusinessUp to a certain point, becoming a line cook was my greatest accomplishment. Before that, I stood in stoic awe from the dish pit, watching…Sep 18, 2023Sep 18, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorI Tried to Go Home but Other People Lived ThereBy the time I graduated high school twenty years ago, I was like a trapped animal pacing back and forth behind bars. If you had taken me…Jul 31, 2023Jul 31, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorThe Party Bus NightmareGetting a good job was shaping up to be a dreadful experience. Since the age of 14, I had worked my way from the absolute bottom of the…Jul 3, 2023Jul 3, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorSalvation at the Longest-Running Topless Revue in VegasThe summer after my first year of high school was going to be a welcome rush of cool, clean air. My all-boys Catholic school was more than…Jun 5, 2023Jun 5, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorTaking the Train to Find My Way (Part 4)My hotel was white and clean in the morning and I showered off the days of train filth and bar sweat for what felt like several hours. If…May 1, 2023May 1, 2023
Michael J. O'ConnorTaking the Train to Find My Way (Part 3)Portland has always looked like pure annihilation to me. No matter where you turn, there is always something crumbling. Something falling…Apr 3, 2023Apr 3, 2023