Political Werewolves Marvin was fine until one evening, while canvassing with his candidate, the full moon rose.  His candidate transformed into a beast, growing a beard and sharp fingernails, bit Marvin and then ran off.  The next morning the candidate apologized and explained that the extreme politics of the last few years had turned him…

Continues ->

Phone Calls Phone calls were always demanding.  Fred remembered as a child his family’s large, heavy black phone with the rotary dial.  Fred remembered reading a newspaper column seventy years ago about what to do if someone phoned during your favourite TV programme, Gunsmoke.  Not answering was not an option–the phone might keep ringing.  You…

Continues ->

Seeing Inside George doubted anyone would tell him the truth about what they thought of him.  To find that out, he had to read their thoughts, see inside their minds.  He built a helmet.  It covered his head, eyes and ears.  On the outside, he looked like himself.  That morning, he drove to work, parked,…

Continues ->

Poor Life Choices As he aged, Warren often thought of his life choices–not ones he’d gotten right, meeting his partner, raising a family—but his mistakes.  His poor life choices.  Rejecting advice.  Not accepting help.  Not realizing who he really was.  Sabotaging important aspects of his life, throwing a shoe into the works.  Not thinking things…

Continues ->

Debt Angela was sick and tired of what defined her, who she was: debt.  Student loans had to be repaid on top of rent, food and other expenses.  She drove an old clunker, wondering how long before she could no longer afford it.  Her job paid well, but well, never enough.  Angela had to  rid…

Continues ->

Politics and Johnny And Dinner Long ago Gods created the Earth.  When life on Earth, already chaotic, reached the level of intelligent animals, the Gods knew how destructive politics were, so they created an invisible barrier between the average human and politics.  Only the most aggressive people became politically engaged.  People ignoring politics helped the…

Continues ->

His Fantastic Voyage Sex.  If there was one thing Marty was sure and unsure of, it was sex.  Rarely were he and his partner on the same page, at times not even the same book or even language.  It was satisfying and unsatisfying.  It ended and never ended.  He knew he was too focussed on…

Continues ->

Finding Time For His Own Goals He loved his family but they were a lot of work.  His wife and two adult children always had needs.  He was not certain how much they helped him, exactly, but he knew what he did for them every day, every week.  He enjoyed being their resource, being depended…

Continues ->

Theodore had money, but never quite enough.  Around him were folks who had it worse.  When he looked at the news, Theodore saw most problems arising from so many people being poor.  Clearly, a lack of money was the problem, and more money for more people was the solution.  Fortunately, Theodore was a talented psychoneurobiologistmeditationalist. …

Continues ->

Stolen Land Fred lived on stolen land—land taken over hundreds of years earlier by migrating settlers who either pushed the original inhabitants out or killed them.  He felt guilty but what could he do?  Now was now, then was then.  Now was when unmarked graves were found on the sites of former residential schools.  Millions…

Continues ->