When I was 19 I lived alone in Kalamazoo, Michigan after a failed attempt to move to California. I'd gone out to a town called Moraga with my friend Heather, but left when she fell in love with a hair dresser from Malibu. She moved in with him, I moved back home, tail between my... Continue Reading →
Food Coma at Table 42
Yesterday I was invited to lunch with my friend and fellow 40 Days of Writing participant Doralice, aka The Cheese Lady. She had some sort of magical inside connection for free lunch at Bravas, the newest Healdsburg venture by the Stark restaurant enterprise. Bravas isn't open quite yet, but they need to train their staff... Continue Reading →
Here’s My Card
For a time I lived in Monterey, California. I credit this time with providing me with many important pivotal moments in my life. I spent a lot of hours staring at, listening to, or collecting sea glass beside the grand and pounding Pacific ocean. I discovered Jägermeister and learned that I should never drink it, ever.... Continue Reading →
Decisions, Decisions
I was recently asked to make a decision. My boyfriend and I were clawing our way back up to a place of peace in our relationship, after a tumultuous week. We were relaxing a bit in the backyard, feeling better, and he asked if I’d like to make any changes in our dynamic. “What do... Continue Reading →
Fire Breather
For most of my life - up until just a couple of years ago, actually - I've had a very tight, controlled reign on my emotions. First of all, I'm from the Midwest. We don't talk about stuff. We keep our feelings under wraps and if there's something bothering us we just shove it way... Continue Reading →
Dead Head
When I was 14 my dad took me, along with my older step-sister Erin, to see the Grateful Dead. He'd asked Erin if she could score some pot for the show, which she did. He then gave her a joint to share with me, having asked me beforehand if I'd ever smoked. I'd truthfully told him... Continue Reading →
The Hair Pile
The other morning I was showering, trying to be quick but instead thinking about my hair pile. I have long hair, and when I shower - especially when I wash and condition it - I end up with dozens and dozens of loose strands of it tangled in my fingers, set free from the agitation... Continue Reading →
Dive Bar Wedding
I once got married in a dive bar in Oakland. The place, Geo Kaye's, is on the corner of Broadway and 40th, just down the street from Piedmont. I'd recently moved onto the couch of a friend a few blocks away, and wasted no time establishing myself into the scene there. I've always enjoyed being part... Continue Reading →
Note to Self
August 1st I met a really hot guy last night. I was so fucking drunk. Note to Self: Don’t make super-drunk first impression on hot guys. They will always think you’re kinda sloppy. Something compelled me to go to my neighbor’s party across the street, even though I was already drunk and feeling sorry for... Continue Reading →
I’m Not That Girl
I was laying in bed the other morning, my face nestled into my boyfriend’s armpit where it feels most at home, when he called me a dinosaur. I’ll go back a bit. We were talking about our feelings, as we sometimes do. He said that sometimes my love for him is frightening. He explained that... Continue Reading →
Amanda Janik 