Feb 1, 2017Thoughts on a Decade of the Januariad ProjectI’ve been participating in the Januariad Project since 2006. The rules have changed a bit over time, but the point of the challenge has always been the same: while creation is quite often a lonely task, the month of January brings a group of bold/foolish people together to inspire, to…Writing2 min readWriting2 min read
Jan 31, 2017Trial BallonsAnna reclined in the dentist’s chair and readied herself for the gas. A mask, a hiss, her breath and then… Her lover’s hand on hers, tense with the urgency of deep longing. She salivated to think of the scent of her skin, the anticipation quivering in her lips. Tucking and…Januariad2 min readJanuariad2 min read
Jan 30, 2017A Tour of Vending Machines at the End-times CafePenny knew the robot uprising was inevitable, but she didn’t think it would be so quiet. — Years of sci-fi had built up a set of pre-conceived notions about riotous human rebellions, laser battles, red-eyed Terminators and armies of robots marching down the streets of the city in the kind of regal parade formations that were already outdated in the American Revolution. Instead, the singularity happened softly…Januariad2 min readJanuariad2 min read
Jan 27, 2017The PassengerThe garage, the coveralls, the spare parts, the tools… yeah, I know it looks like I’m a car person, but I’m really not. Not by choice. Everyone thinks a self-driving car is the future. For me it’s the past and the present. I’m just the passenger. It’s amazing to me…Januariad3 min readJanuariad3 min read
Jan 26, 2017double espressoReally, honestly, I’m telling you guys the truth here… All I wanted was a cup of coffee. No, I screamed and ran because you guys were breaking down the door. It was scary. Honestly. All I did was touch a few buttons on the coffee machine. That’s it. I guess…Writing2 min readWriting2 min read
Jan 25, 2017Desert StormsI don’t know how we got here. Maybe that’s the PTSD. — Maybe it’s all so bad, my body can’t let me remember. Still, if that’s true, it’s the same for all of us. The sand is blowing again. Erasing the past. Obscuring the future. Rattling dry scrub-brush like bones bleached on the beach. I wish we were on a beach. What…Januariad2 min readJanuariad2 min read
Jan 24, 2017The Cupcake Pagoda“Whatever!” Sarabeth shouted into the office smartphone. She flung it across the stainless-steel countertop, treating the object as if it were the source of her rage. As if it wasn’t, in fact, an amazing handheld microcomputer that anyone from twenty or thirty years ago would’ve given a kidney to behold…Januariad3 min readJanuariad3 min read
Jan 23, 2017coworkingDerek arrived at the coworking space early and ordered a large latte as preparation for the day ahead. He scoped out a table of suitable size and set out his kit: markers, post-it notes, flip chart, dice for tie breakers, Gummy Bears for energy. They’d never been without the Hall…Januariad3 min readJanuariad3 min read
Jan 20, 2017Enter the RayberYou needed a change in your life. Something special. Everything was working, relationships were building, projects were incrementing forward, true, fine, fair, but there was that ever-rasping restlessness, gnawing like a rodent at the frayed edges of even your most effective routines. From the outside, you were the picture of…Januariad2 min readJanuariad2 min read
Jan 19, 2017MarketOne Support Ticket 642841089500“MarketOne Technical Support, this is Jeremy.” “What? Hello? Are you really real? Are you a human?” “Last time I checked, sir. Can you describe your problem for me?” “Christ. Finally! Okay, yes, we put in the system last month and everything was fine, but things are happening, Jeremy.” “Let’s back…Fiction3 min readFiction3 min read
