Howdy

I like to follow the road while listening the distant drum, observing and tasting life. Last night, I sat thinking about the paths I’ve travelled. Traditional paths I see others tread with glee. I like to wander. I thought about the places I’ve seen. I took stock the faces and voices encountered along the way.

Pizza delivery is my occupation, meeting people is my job.  It’s a job I’ve enjoyed.  I’ve driven, met, served and explored the streets and faces of Waterloo, IA, Traverse City, MI, Ft. Collins, Co,  and Madison, WI.   I’ve delivered to streets with drug dealers.  I’ve seen the sunset below the Rocky Mountains.  I’ve felt the spray of Lake Michigan on my cheek.  I’ve listened to trumpets and saxophones on State Street. 

I’ve handed supper to the worn out meat packer playing with his children in the yard.   I’ve served the blunt smoking drug dealer and a few times did not declined the offer to puff.  I’ve chased the elderly women’s dog as it tried to escape down the street.  I’ve exchanged pizza for cash with politicians.  I’ve been stiffed by managers of TV stations.

I’ve smiled at them all.

I am 40.

Books and jots litter my computer, shelves, and sofa.   Words are my hobby.  Reading helps me discover the ideas and experiences of others.  Writing shows me my mind and digs my soul.

Words infected me in 1989.  It started off with poetry. Poetry lead to a play and short stories.  In the early 90's I went to Indian hill Community College.  My play Mere Existence was produced there 1993.   I enjoyed writing so much I went to UNI. I earned an English degree in 1997—yippee.  I’ve continued to write. I’ve published several bits of poetry in the online poetry journal Sketchbook, an essay called AK in UNI’s Inner Weather, and a dumbass socialist rant in a defunct ‘zine—Prodigy—in Traverse City.  I’ve also written for Sparechange—a ‘zine now deceased—Buddha, Allah, YWHY, and the Spaghetti Monster in the Sky bless it’s word laden, nonexistent soul. 

I’ve been delivering pizza since ’96.  It’s not a bad job. It’s given me enough to live off of. It’s supplied me with the freedom to explore different places and lands. I’ve hiked the streets and tasted meals in Nova Scotia, Stockholm, London, Montreal and Härnösand.

For now, that’s all from me. See you soon- like when you order a deep dish  littered with Italian sausage, onions and pepperoni.