Author Archives: mathdreads
Chameleon Costume
The great sacrifice of three T-shirts, a pair of pants, a bath towel and wash cloth created my latest handmade costume for the spoken word and poetry show which I produce, The Austin Writers Roulette. Although I wore green shorts to complete look, I didn’t change them. To make the chameleon eyes, I traced circles … Continue reading
Mom’s Visit 2016
On the eve of my 46th birthday, I picked Mom up from the airport. She’d come to celebrate both of our birthdays, hers being three days after mine, attend my art reception for The Adventures of Infinity & Negativa: An Adult Fairy Tale, and participate in the spoken word and storytelling event I produce, The Austin Writers … Continue reading
Art Reception: The Adventures of Infinity & Negativa
One spectacular thing I did in preparation of my very first art reception was to invite four dynamic female artists who had performed on The Austin Writers Roulette to read some of the chapter openings that accompanied my paintings. Fortunately, three out of four came to the actual rehearsal and the fourth rehearsed with me … Continue reading
Dipped My Big Toe
Twenty-fifteen was the year I unintentionally dipped my big toe into poverty. I didn’t attempt to be a poor, starving artist, but since necessity is the mother of invention, I reinvented myself many times, juggling jobs in this great circus act called the gig economy: editor, writer, tutor, adult basic education instructor, call center agent, … Continue reading
Red Sleeper Sofa
For my parents’ impending visit, I had to make a couple of upgrades to my apartment, the largest was buying a new sleeper sofa. Since their last visit six years ago, the recliner loveseat had fallen into embarrassing disrepair. Still comfortable, but not presentable for my parents. Plus, now that I work from home and … Continue reading
Marching to Jubilee
Don’t slow me down With all the hemming and hawing And blah, blah, blahing Ain’t nobody got time for all that Think of what you need to say Then edit it down I got somewhere else to be I’m marching to Jubilee Don’t weigh me down With worn out clichés Those verbal equivalents Of genuine … Continue reading
Laser Tag, You’re It!
Periodically, the company I work for hosts a gathering, invites all its call center agents (CCAs) to change out of their pajamas, and leave the cozy confines of their homes to have fun and food. Obviously, I like free food, especially the crazy selection of delicious desserts we had at the end, but what I most … Continue reading
Spinster Redefined
“Spinster” used to be defined as a childless, older woman beyond the age of marriage. Times have changed. The “old maid” has been put to rest after a long run of shaming and guilting women into a desperate marriage to avoid being her. My definition for “spinster”: an educated, childfree woman of any age who … Continue reading
Creating a Clean Spot
After two months of unemployment and slowly drained savings, I checked an online jobs listing morning, noon and night. I’d checked more often than that some days until I found a halfway decent job to apply to every day for a week. Part-time, full-time, telecommute, entry level, writing, editing, teaching, tutoring. Welcome to the gig … Continue reading
Invitations
He’s the kind of guy you never kiss in public. Not because you’re ashamed to be seen with him, but if you close your eyes while kissing him, and you surely will, just look at those luscious lips, you’ll open your eyes and discover you’re naked. In public. Wondering how you got there. He’s a … Continue reading