Stories & Observations

Enter Mojo Gypsy: High Octane Saloon The scent of fresh-lit cigars and beer, accompanied by the cacophony of bikes revving their engines, is where we find ourselves before Mojo Gypsy takes the stage. The crowd slowly begins to gather as the band assembles their instruments. Jim, the bass player, steps to the mic and begins a sound check. "Check one, check one. Ed, check one. Check one, Ed. Check, check." The crowd murmurs. A few people laugh under their breath. A drunk woman

Golden brown toast neatly arranged on a vibrant yellow plate set against a rich green background. I had a conversation with my therapist yesterday morning, telling her that I felt like plain, dry toast. She was ecstatic, bouncing with joy, because it means the treatment plan is working. Now it’s time to explore other ways to bring hope and happiness back into the mix without being on the very high end of the spectrum. Being bipolar, I am used to being a little out there after

If you are looking for a photographer for anything, I highly recommend Ring photography. Brittany is a local Maine photographer who specializes in warmer-toned photos; her specialties include families, portraits, elopements, and lifestyle sessions. She edits her photographs and uses her eye for color and tools like pantyhose to achieve a warm, authentic, rustic look, depending on the kind of photo session. It’s a cool trick that softens the lens and creates a dreamy glow, a

Elegant wedding dresses on display at Bridal Reflections boutique on Fifth Avenue, NYC, with a coffee table nearby featuring a box of tissues and a Mark Zunino book. There is something surreal about selecting your wedding dress on Fifth Avenue in New York City. I recently had the opportunity to shop at Bridal Reflections on Fifth Ave, and while my experience wasn’t magical, it was realistic and the best I could have imagined for myself. A few things to keep in mind: I am me

A cozy nighttime workspace with a laptop illuminated by a desk lamp, ready for late-night productivity. When do you find yourself most inspired to write? Are you a morning writer? Are you a night owl like me? I’d love to know. Personally, I do my best writing in the darkest part of the evening, when everyone is asleep. There are no distractions other than the TV, and I have easy access to anything on the internet. Sadly, against my better judgment—and my therapist's recommen

For residents used to mild winters, a snowstorm like this turns an ordinary morning into a neighborhood event. Cooper and Callie take in falling snow from a bench in Greer, bundled in matching winter vests as a rare southern snowfall blankets the area. Photo courtesy of Justin Spence. This morning, locals in Greer, South Carolina, woke up to snow-covered yards and an unexpected urge to play in the snow. Families around the area found creative ways to enjoy the snow. At an apa

As a Maine resident, my stance on the current administration has only strengthened. There is a constitutional need to uphold the law while holding the Department of Homeland Security and President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents accountable for actions that raise serious constitutional concerns. Support for Accountability I stand with Maine Gov. Janet Mills in support of expelling ICE from the state. State leaders’ responses to ICE activity and

Yesterday I learned that sometimes agency looks like changing a phone number. As most of you know, over the last few months, I have been working to really take control of my career, including reaching out to complete strangers in my field to ask if they would be willing to sit down and chat about their careers. I wanted to know what it was like in and outside the organization we work for. It started with a single email. To provide context, I work for a financial institution a

I had a networking meeting yesterday, and I was reminded of something. Success comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and in my case, fonts. Since I started building my writing portfolio, I have been networking with individuals in the writing field. One thing they all have in common is that they didn’t quit writing; they just pivoted how they worked. Most work in communications now—still writing, just not where they expected. Their writing goals didn’t disappear; they transform

“Oh, I used to get called all kinds of names. Burnt Toast. Crispy Bacon—Kids can be mean, and so can adults.” That’s what my mom said during a conversation we had about her burns. I was curious to hear her story. I knew bits and pieces, but not much else. To be honest, I still don’t. When my mom was a baby, the apartment she lived in caught fire because an unattended candle was left burning. After a stranger on the street rescued my mom from the burning building, she spent a

Finding My Voice in the World of Words When I write, I sometimes discover a magical space where everything else fades away. My fingers dance across the keys, creating a symphony of thoughts and ideas. These moments often come late at night, when the world is quiet, or during my daughter's peaceful naps. In those serene moments, I can breathe life back into my mind, body, and spirit. Yet, when I emerge from this creative fog, I often find myself staring at my work in disbelief

I've been networking a lot recently, and I've noticed that you won’t be successful unless you put yourself out there, which has probably been the most rewarding part of it all. I've had a few connection meetings, ranging from head copywriters to heads of content. One thing that has been unanimous across all meetings is that I was overdressed. As funny as it sounds, it is true. Most of my meetings have been online via Teams, and each head I have spoken to has been dressed th

I haven’t always excelled at writing. Growing up, I struggled with reading and comprehension due to dyslexia. Writing wasn’t always so manageable; however, with determination and the guidance of a few outstanding educators, it became something that now brings me joy. It isn’t exactly all I enjoy doing, but it is the one thing that makes me feel extant. My favorite teacher, Mr. Ginorio, once told me that I had a skill, not a unique one, but a necessary one: effective communica