Author: Tripping Raul

  • Geriatric rehearsal

    Should I be so unfortunate to reach old age (say, 75 or older), I would like to think of this weekend as practice. In my geriatric days, I’ll have relinquished my driver’s license (my eyes already suck) and will be completely alone save for a random visit from my children…

  • Multiple

    Sitting across the table, she reaches down and gives her pantyhose a jerk upward at the ankle. They didn’t need it: It’s a comfort move. She straightens and continues to talk, slightly hesitant but clearly enough. “Well, I’ve accepted a position elsewhere,” she says. Her voice breaks slightly and she slips…

  • Shhhhhhhh

    He’s sitting across from me or maybe he’s standing behind me, I’m not sure. I’m breathing heavily wondering why I’m such a bad person and he’s whispering, “Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh.” I took, I took, I took half a pill and I’ve been good about taking the other ones twice a day but…

  • So much blood

    Holding one of the perpetrators with one hand, fingers wrapped securely around his neck, I dip the other hand back into the tub and squeeze the rag, its contents further clouding the warm water. I pull up the dripping cloth up again and continue to work. “Did you hear that…

  • Methinks me thinks too much

    Every time I refill the water bottle for Lu, my rat, I consider filling it half full so as I’ll have to refill it more often for optimum health and freshness. However, then I think, like, what would happen if there were an earthquake or an air raid or a…

  • Gutting

    I’ve just completed gutting my closet and my dresser drawers and now for some reason my gut is killing me. I feel like I’ve been disemboweled even though all I did was gather up old clothes that I hadn’t worn for years and that have no emotional value to me.…

  • Tool

    I turned to a person, I don’t remember if it was a community member, a family member or a current or former colleague, and I said, wide eyed, that what I loved about being a journalist (especially, I’m sure, when you take my Libra into consideration) is that I don’t…

  • Torso

    Alone in my office waiting for my ride, I can’t help but appreciate the sanctuary, the stillness of the final moments I’ll ever be alone here. It’s silent and sane and the buzz of the overhead lights is comforting; white noise to the lack thereof. I also can’t help but…

  • Anxious

    Most people use the word ‘anxious’ incorrectly to describe excitement. It’s agitation inasmuch as excitement. I’m eager to get started on my new career. I’m excited because of the amazing team I get to work with. I’m dedicated to quickly making a positive impact in my new position. I’m overwhelmed…

  • It should be obvious, but . . .

    There are times in a person’s life when you stop and say, really? Here are a few of those insights from friends of the past: 1. Clint: “My dad was working out of state and when I flew out to visit him he met me at the airport with a…