Self talk: Is your brain betching your soul out?

“Hey. HEY. Ashley.” I heard this voice the other night while in my bed. I was inside my double locked apartment. Where I live totally alone. (Calm down, Mikey. This ain’t that kindofa thriller.) But the reality behind it is kind thrilling. I mean, sure, had I still been in the phase of my life where I was watching unsolved mysteries and supernatural thrillers before bedtime, I’d’ve been 100% positive.. Read More

Gone with the moniker

Back in elementary school, we had those “how’d your parents name you?” discussions. I remember hating these convos because my own moniker was inspired by a fictional man in a classic movie called Gone With the Wind. In an act of defiance against being named in such an insulting and unsexy way (not only was he a dude but one who kinda looks like Kenneth from 30 Rock), I vowed.. Read More

Hurricane names: can being a sexist kill you?

My first hurricane experience came after I moved to New Orleans. I remember thinking two things: 1. This is magnificent (as I jogged down the trolley tracks of St. Charles against the violent shoving wall of wind, pelted by shards of rain, and seeing furling black clouds rolling toward me like oceanic waves of ebony gas) and 2. This is stupid! No, I don’t mean running in a hurricane is.. Read More