Tag Archives: Family

Become a Citizen of Hope

On October 2, 2012, a team of surgeons at City of Hope medical center sliced open my brother and saw a body wracked with cancer. Nevertheless, they kept cutting, determined to remove what they could of this invasive leech eating him … Continue reading

Posted in Featured, Headline, Off Our Chests, Organizations/Companies, Personal, Stuff We Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Dad and Guy Kawasaki, a.k.a. The Importance of Talking About Feminism and Stereotyping

Right after the whole titcircle debacle, I was sent a link to an article on the Huffington Post written by Peg Fitzpatrick called “Words Have Power, Use Them Wisely.” Peg Fitzpatrick is the assistant to Guy Kawasaki, one of the … Continue reading

Posted in Alternative Families, Essays, Events, Featured, Feminism, Headline, LGBT/Queer Politics, Off Our Chests, Opinions, Personal, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wilted Orchids, Deep Roots a.k.a. How to Plan for a Funeral

How do you decorate for a party you never wanted to attend? How do you fill a room with cheer when no cheer can possibly be found? “What would he want?” we asked ourselves over and over again, as if … Continue reading

Posted in Confessions, Essays, Off Our Chests, Opinions, Personal, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Funeral Speeches

Today was my grandfather’s funeral and for it, I wrote a speech. Just like I did for my grandmother‘s and brother‘s funerals. In 18 months, I’ve written three speeches for three family members’ funerals. I’m proud of all three speeches, … Continue reading

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The Self-Deprecating Rabbit Hole

It’s amazing how quickly I can fall down the self-deprecating rabbit hole. One simple image sends a million negative thoughts racing to the front of my brain and soon I’m falling over, tripping into the void of despair, hating things … Continue reading

Posted in Body Positivity, Featured, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

To Lauren:

To Lauren: You are the usual colorful character I’ve grown to love, the sex-talking guru who I and many others can always seek advice from, and the friend whose friendship with I admire the most. You are Queerie Bradshaw, the … Continue reading

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For My Brother, Andrew Joseph Fleming, November 21, 1986 to November 5, 2012

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the … Continue reading

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Relationships: Settling For Crumbs When You Deserve Cake

I hate that point in a relationship where your love turns to frustration and everything that used to tug at your heart now yanks on your nerves. That point when you have to face how long you went without your … Continue reading

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Sex: Mother Knows Best, aka Sex Tips from my Mom

The best sex advice I’ve ever gotten wasn’t from a magazine, a website, or a step-by-step guide to blowjobs on somebody’s random Tumblr (although that last one was very helpful). No, the best sex advice I’ve ever gotten was—surprise!—from my … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Featured, Off Our Chests, Sex | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy Anniversary Heartache

The youngest addition of my family turned one last week, right about the time I moved back to Oregon. This day marks the one year anniversary of her birth, which was a frightfully early and dangerous one involving copious bleeding … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Featured, Headline, Off Our Chests | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments