The past few weeks have been hellish on the psyche. I’m not just talking about the waiting game we’ve been playing with the local bureaucracy that’s got me down. And let’s not get into what this delay is costing us. No, it’s more than that. Gun violence in the United States has escalated to the … Continue reading Summer Insanity
At the beginning of the year, I started a spreadsheet to track my word count. Seven months into the year, I’ve noticed that my word count is slowing down for the summer. While I managed to write almost 4500 words for this blog in June, I realized that I hadn’t written a new story since … Continue reading Writing Season
This week, we took a day and drove to where our house is stored. Although we couldn’t see everything, what we saw was beautiful. Two rooms were inaccessible because the modular was still wrapped for travel. It was a “pinch me, it’s getting real” moment that we’ve both needed. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunExterior view. This … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 92
On June 28, 1969, patrons of a gay bar in Greenwich Village—the Stonewall Inn—tired of the constant harassment by the NYPD, protested against the latest raid. When police became violent toward the protesters, the gay community fought back in what turned into nearly a week of riots—known today as the Stonewall Uprising. Thus was born … Continue reading The Stonewall Uprising
(C) 2020, JJ Shaun This past weekend, I held Session Zero for a group of youngsters wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons. The age range of most of my players is 11 to 15. Needless to say, it was a little like herding cats. Session Zero is where everyone creates their characters and gets to … Continue reading Session Zero
What a stressful week. First, we got a letter from the lender saying they won’t release our funds until we have our building permit. (It’s grinding its way through the county bureaucracy. It was returned to the contractor to verify some natural drainage distances.) The next day, we get word that our home is being … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 91
(C) 2022, JJ Shaun Earlier this week, world swimming’s governing body effectively banned transgender women from competition. Why? Because of the perceived “advantage” held by women who have fully transitioned from male to female. (Notice there is no female-to-male transgender equivalent argument as transmen are assumed to be at a “disadvantage.) This argument hearkens back … Continue reading Transgender Persons
The finish line is in sight, yet we’re still waiting for all the pieces to fall into place. Our home is finished and waiting for a foundation. The loan is ready for disbursement. We’re waiting for the approved building permit before the lender will release the money. And the building plans are in the approval … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 90
It has been another busy week. Our disaster loan is in the final stages of approval by the government agency handling the paperwork. Our building plans are in the hands of the county building department and should be approved sometime in the next week or so. Our contractor is preparing the area where the house … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 89
(C) 2022, JJ Shaun Coming out as ‘gay’ almost always ended in losing one’s support system when I grew up. Many people were disowned by their families, shunned by their friends, and harassed by anyone and everyone. As I look back at my life, I recognize that I’ve been ‘gay’ for as long as I … Continue reading Why Is Pride Month Important?
Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
New Writing Engaging with the Sacred
J.J. Shaun 