Category James L’Etoile
Was it A Comet or a Conspiracy?
I saw a comet last night. At least that’s what I’m supposed to think. The timing was suspicious. And the government (with a lower case g) was quick to respond to the sightings and report them as a meteor burning up in the atmosphere. Now, I ask you, when has the government ever–ever been so […]
At What Cost Sneak Peek
Pssst… Come here, come closer. Look what came in the mail today! The Advance Reader’s Edition of AT WHAT COST, published by Crooked Lane Books. I felt like Steve Martin in “The Jerk.” The new phone books are here! I am somebody! Matt Martz, Sarah Pope, Heather Boak, and all the folks at Crooked Lane […]
Shut Up And Drive
Pardon me whilst I squeeze into my ranty pants. I don’t remember them being this tight. Ahem… This morning I had the occasion to venture out in public and join in the mass migration on the public thoroughfare. Interstate 5 is a sprawling mass of asphalt and cement, up to eight lanes wide at some points to […]
The Danger of Bumper Sticker Mentality
Apparently, I must have missed the memo that said that I must publically hate someone or something to fully actualize my human experience. I’m not apathetic, at least not in the usual application of the word. I do care about stuff–in my own private way. Private, in that I don’t feel the need to plaster […]
It’s Just A Word
Remember the old children’s verse; sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Well, I’m calling bullshit on that one. One ill-chosen word has weight and is capable of inflicting a hurtful sting. String a few of these words together and lives are impacted. Last week I posted about a setting […]
The Prison You Don’t See
I’m writing a new story and part of the new piece involves prison — specifically mental health treatment in prison. It’s a strange thing to witness a prison mental health crisis first hand and after working around correctional mental health units and activating one in a maximum security prison, it occurred to me that most readers don’t […]
Life As A Lawn Sprinkler
California has been going through a drought, of sorts, for the last four years. I say “sort of” a drought because, depending on who you talk with, the state’s water worries are pretend, man-made, or a parched precursor to the End of Days. In a period of introspection — which could have been fueled by […]
When You Need To Get Knocked Down a Peg or Two
I got another reminder from the cosmos that my karma is due and payable… I took a break from writing for a couple of hours this week to take the Corgis to a therapy visit at a local assisted living and memory care facility for older folks. You know, do something good, clean the mind […]
When Did Travel Become Survival of the Fittest?
Travel used to be something fun. You remember vacation, right? That time you earned to go and get away from it all. What happened? The fun and excitement of getting away from it all has been replaced by fear and loathing (sorry Hunter S. Thompson). The entire process of getting overpriced tickets, checking in, and […]
NSFW
NSFW You’re minding your own business during another mind-numbing day in the cubicle farm when another e-mail, in the endless stream of e-mails pops into your in-box. The little banner appears on your screen and before you can swat it away like another digital fly, you see it – NSFW. Not Safe For Work… The forbidden […]
James L'Etoile 