More crazy, but true stories popped into my head — such as my “silent but deadly” client — It has been just over 3 months since I wrote and published the story Confessions of a Former Massage Therapist. The idea for the story came to me one day while talking to a friend who used to be a co-worker of mine. …

I’d never relive my teenage years. However, what didn’t kill me did in fact make me, and others close to me, stronger. — On October 3rd, 2021, I wrote a story about what it was like to grow up looking white with a Black mother. It was the first story of mine that many people read and left responses to. I focused more on my childhood and my relationship with my mother while…

Clothing, judgment and the weight of the world are a few things that people try to set aside inside a typical massage room — I used to be a licensed massage therapist for more than 10 years. I can still hardly believe some of the stories I’ve heard from my clients, as well as co-workers. I have worked at a few legitimate, upscale spas that provide various massage and facial services to men and…

My mind is still processing my unexpected stroll through the red light district in Amsterdam — Since Amsterdam, located in The Netherlands, is only a 4 hour train ride from my new abode in Germany, and my birthday is approaching, I…

From elevation shock to rattlesnakes to gambling galore, I got much more than I bargained for — Over the past two months, I have been visiting friends and family on the east and west coasts for the first time since the covid pandemic began. My last stop on this whirlwind tour was Reno, Nevada. I had never visited Nevada before and was curious to see what it…

Accepting other people’s ignorance, stupidity and hatred has become my journey of a lifetime — Although I did not make any new year’s resolutions, I have set a goal to write and publish more stories that give insights into what it is like for me to live as a biracial person. I have a story brewing that I want to give ample time in writing…

As well as to everyone who does not consider themselves “artists” — Throughout the years, that have turned into decades, I have heard countless people tell me how much they love to sing, dance, play music, write, paint, and so on. Yet as soon as I say something like, “Ah, so you’re an artist,” they immediately shut me down. I’ve been there…

And we’re going out with a great, big BANG — It has been a full year now since JA Vassili and I launched the publication Pure Fiction. It blows my mind at how far it, and our writers, have come in the span of one year. As a reminder (scroll to the end for more info on becoming a writer…

Taking the road less traveled put me on a path that grounds me wherever I go — Spending my early childhood in the public housing projects of Philadelphia gave me a warped sense of space as a kid. Dilapidated buildings with people passed out in the hallways, and broken glass in the nearest playgrounds made me want to spend more time indoors than outdoors. When my family…