There’s this recurring trope in the West about Asian cultures’ respect for their elders and reverence for the wisdom of the aged. This is invariably presented as some kind of positive. Generally in that slightly fucked way that Western ignoramuses use Asia to highlight and juxtapose what they dislike in their own culture. It’s mostly … Continue reading Asian Oldsters
Author: musevassal
A Hard Truth
Okay, Westerners, I feel it is finally time to level with you about something. It might be tough to hear this, but I think you can handle it. Just know, I tell you this out of love and a desire to improve the conditions you live it. You are eating salad wrong. Put down the … Continue reading A Hard Truth
Superkids
I do understand that movies are mostly made for youngsters, since oldsters like me rarely go to a movie anymore, but really, enough with the superheros already! (Or should I say, Stuporheros.) Don’t get me wrong: there was a time when I liked superheros too. And then I grew up into a big boy and … Continue reading Superkids
Bones
Some people are broken. Some people get fucked and their best case scenario is spending most of their life figuring out how to get just a little less fucked. Others get to pursue their dreams. For each of us, the die is cast, sure. But for some the die has five sixes and one five; … Continue reading Bones
Womambling
Okay, so mansplaining is a thing now. I can accept this. It’s a valid thing. I used to do it a lot. Now I try not to do it, probably still do, and get annoyed when other men do it. We used to just call it “full of shit” and “talking out of your ass,” … Continue reading Womambling
An Edmonton Stroll
Every time I return home to Edmonton, I make a point of walking Whyte Avenue from 99th Street to 109th Street.Whyte is a shopping and bar strip near the university that's the closest thing passing for culture in Edmonton. It has some of the city's oldest buildings (about 120 years old), and, depending on the … Continue reading An Edmonton Stroll
Writer’s Block
Writer's block is generally one of two things:Either you're making excuses for laziness, or don't have anything to say.The defining characteristic that makes an artist is the ability to finish what they start after the muse of inspiration has died. Unless you are writing short poems and essays, or very short stories, your creative side … Continue reading Writer’s Block
wounded
Awoke today with a mind full of twisted metal; jagged edges piercing me.Feeling wounded, not knowing why. Something terrible is happening. I’m feeling it. Clinging to my skin like a toxic vapor; sliding into my lungs; coating my insides with slick poison. Sober now, there’s nothing to be done about it. Can’t cudgel my senses.Poison … Continue reading wounded
The Kraft Champagne Incident
Today I was driving my wife, mother-in-law, and daughter to a nearby village to buy basashi (horse meat eaten raw like sashimi [awesome, by the way]). While driving I had an out-of-the-blue recollection of one of my last alcoholic binges, about ten years ago. At that time, I was trying to sober up a bit, … Continue reading The Kraft Champagne Incident
The Giraffe Schoolgirl
Way back in my first English conversation class for Japanese high school girls, we were talking about “free time” and how we like to spend it. One of my students announced quite boldly that she liked to go to the school library, get a book on giraffes, and then sit there looking at the book … Continue reading The Giraffe Schoolgirl
Muse Vassal 