Essays
The times I try to write a coherent story.
Frankenstein's boobs
I had breast surgery and now I want to talk about it. * * * It's 7.30 in the morning and I'm on my way to the hospital where a surgeon is going to slice my breasts open, cut out tissue and fat, and stitch them back together.
I won't do another Vipassana (but maybe you should)
Picture this: The Spanish Mountains. A tranquil valley, green hills in all directions, and snow-covered mountaintops looming in the background. Like at the start of a story in which the main character is blissfully unaware of the misery they are about to endure. One of these hills lies a Vipassana
When a picky eater goes to a two-Michelin-starred restaurant
Let me start by providing some context. Tom, my partner, is a foodie who will eat anything. I mean that in the most literal sense; he could win any Fear Factor eating challenge as long as it doesn't include anything with banana flavor (I know, don't
![When a picky eater goes to a two-Michelin-starred restaurant](/content/images/size/w1460/format/webp/2023/04/F44085EC-EC68-4496-83AF-93D3F85310C5.jpg)
Looking back at Burning Man
I flew into San Francisco on a Friday afternoon and the next day I was in a mini-van with two women I met for the first time, loaded with supplies, on my way to the Nevada desert. I dreamed of it for years and it was finally happening; Burning Man.
![Looking back at Burning Man](/content/images/size/w1460/format/webp/2021/08/FD3F5AFA-CBF3-49B1-8053-037AC0F1FADF.jpg)
Preparing for my first burn
I've been dreaming of joining the social experiment in Black Rock City for a long time. Last year I logged on before the ticket sale started, patiently waited for two hours in the infamous online queue, only to find out it was sold out. This year history repeated
![Preparing for my first burn](/content/images/size/w1460/format/webp/2021/09/C9F33FD9-DC87-4164-AF8B-06D7F2F77952.jpg)
This one time, at Vipassana camp
“Focus your entire attention on the area below your nostrils. Calm and peaceful mind.” I try. I really do. All my attention on the area below my nostrils. I’m the definition of zen. Calm and observing. And by calm I mean trying not to hyperventilate, and by observing I
![This one time, at Vipassana camp](/content/images/size/w1460/format/webp/2021/08/vipassana-w.jpg)