Author: RTNM

The Car (A Critical Review of an Album I Haven’t Yet Heard) I have listened to a few songs and read several reviews of Arctic Monkey’s new CD, The Car.  My most significant worries have been realized.  They are doubling down on the lounge sound from the last release.  I listened to Tranquility Base Hotel […]

Sitting at the Library I have an excellent writing room.  I also have an anti-library in my big, old house in the middle of Hillbilly Land.  I decided to return to the library tonight instead of sitting at home.  Why?  I guess my writing spaces aren’t that compelling to make me stay.  Besides, the weather […]

Grammarly I am a big fan of Grammarly. I mean this when I say it; if I had this program back when I started at Harvard, my life would have turned out much differently. There is a possibility I never would have left. The program is that good, and it has helped me immensely. I […]

The Briefcase I have a problem, not a monumental one; it is merely an aggravating issue.  Simply put, my briefcase smells like an old goat.  Sure, I have a story. Many years ago, I started searching for a briefcase.  Not that I desperately need one.  I don’t require one; I just wanted one.  I spent […]

Don’t Ask “Don’t ask,” she forcefully said as she stared him down. He sheepishly scratched his forehead as he twirled his pen between his fingers. He was skilled, a pen twirler from way back. She wasn’t impressed. She let out a deep breath and looked around the library. Typical day, more workers than patrons. The […]

We’re Going Back to State! My niece, Haley, did it again.  She qualified for the state tennis tournament for the second consecutive year.  Big news in these parts. When she qualified as a freshman, I posted some thoughts.  I put her accomplishment in a historical perspective.  This essay will frame her latest exploits on the […]

An Interview with Warren Andrew Slay, Part 7 A man, I believe it was the same one I saw at the parking deck, came to my door a few days ago.  He greeted me with a smile and then shoved a pistol into my ribs.  He pushed himself inside and then threw me onto the […]

An Interview with Warren Andrew Slay, Part 6 Last week I was trying to navigate through an oversized parking garage in downtown Cleveland.  It doesn’t matter why I was there; I don’t feel like telling you anyway.  There is nothing wrong with a little mystery, is there?  As I circled my way down to the […]

Dusk “Hurry, the sun is setting.” She glanced back at him and frowned.  Her bandaged hand waved dismissively as he shook his head in disgust. “Look, you have to hurry.  We need to get on the road.  You know better than this.” She reached down and grabbed the gun from her holster.  The shot was […]

An Interview with Warren Andrew Slay, Part 5 Warren didn’t want to answer any more questions, but I did my best to tease some more answers out of him.  He is too polite to leave me hanging when I ask a question that is even remotely intelligent.  Here is Part 5 of our wide-ranging talk. […]