Today is July Fourth and although I’m not nor have ever been a reflexive flag-waving, jingoistic American, I have always celebrated the Fourth with gusto. Growing up in the Philadelphia area meant that Colonial America, The Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution were never far from the collective awareness of the people.Continue reading “American”
Category Archives: Reflections
Authentic
Today, May 22, is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate and extol goth music (in all its derivations) and the goth subculture. I came upon a post on the Instagram page of The Darkness Calling (https://www.instagram.com/darknesscallingofficial/?hl=en), a page dedicated to goth/darkwave/electronic music. The page is itself the passion project of Jae and raises moneyContinue reading “Authentic”
Duranie
On November 5, 2022, Duran Duran was formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although there are undoubtedly rock purists who would question their inclusion, I believe that their nomination and induction is justly deserved. Without question, Duran Duran is one of the defining bands of the New Wave movement. Their fusionContinue reading “Duranie”
Gothic
It’s almost Halloween— a good time to dust off those Cure albums and apply that black eyeliner, maybe even stream a macabre film classic or two because it’s the spooky season and that’s what Goths do. Or is it? And what is Goth anyway? A marauding people famous for sacking Rome? A medieval architectural style?Continue reading “Gothic”
Patron
In the Spring of 1983, during the tail end of my freshmen year in high school, I met a character whose mantra, “life is a banquet and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death,” deeply embedded itself in my psyche. That character, Mame Dennis or Auntie Mame, is the star of a book, stage play,Continue reading “Patron”
Comfort Zone
Netflix binges, must-have foods, favorite vacation spots, annual traditions, re-reading a beloved series for the billionth time—all of these are familiar and comforting. They’re go-to zones in times of both happiness and distress—places to which we return without thought or question so much that they can become stagnating or limiting to the point where weContinue reading “Comfort Zone”
Gratitude
It’s Thanksgiving Day 2021, and I’m doing something different for change. Instead of killing myself in the kitchen, trying to impress my husband with culinary delights, I’m taking a break pre-feast to blog about gratitude. Of course, I’m grateful for all the things everyone always talks about, but I have no desire to write aboutContinue reading “Gratitude”
To the Batcave
As the spookiest time of the year draws near, my mind naturally turns to all things gothic. Books, music, the way the Spanish moss drips from the live oak trees, the deep russet sunsets fading to darkness as the days grow shorter, all combine to paint a vivid portrait of the world that lies justContinue reading “To the Batcave”
Life Changing
40 years ago, MTV emerged and changed my life. I was an eccentric rising eighth grader about to switch schools again. Over the summer, I’d lounged at the local swim club, hung out with friends, and watched Raiders of the Lost Ark about a million times on hot sticky afternoons. I also discovered that guysContinue reading “Life Changing”
Gen X Calling 