mordel's New Writeups

Everything, Oregon (place)

2009-10-09T01:12:10Z

We didn't mean for it to end this way. karma debt just wanted to own a vineyard.

We moved to the Willamette Valley because they offered her a scholarship. Our first house had enough space and enough sun for a small garden: just a few hundred square feet, supplementing our daily fare. The existing fruit trees and vines added some joy, and fueled our dreams born of yeast. An aspiring brewmaster took up summer lodging between semesters and we'd talk late into the night about varieties and recipes, swilling homemade perry. When karma debt finished her degree, we rewarded ourselves with 5 acres.

It was just as we'd pictured it: a large farmhouse, a large workroom over the garage for our studio, a small orchard, and room to run the dog. We planted grape vines, and watched them die. We planted again, more soberly, and they took. We had our vineyard. A college friend of KD's decided he didn't want to get a real job, so he moved in with us and helped us upgrade the basement fermentation…

silhouetting my brother (person)

2009-05-20T04:52:58Z

Last weekend my mother graduated college. For the first time in half a year, all my siblings were together, and we celebrated my brother's birthday the night before commencement. On the plane ride back, I started editing some of the photos from the weekend to post online once I got home. Some really nice ones of my sisters, a great one of my mother in her cap and gown, one of all of us and our significant others that will get handed down to the next generations.

I came to one of my brother. It was a little out of focus, but it was him. The birthday party was at his house, which he's had for a little over two years now. He seems to have paused for a moment to take in the scene, possibly to look at his lovely wife.

I start editing the photo, deciding to blur the background and try to bring him further into the foreground. On the background layer, I start erasing everything that is him. After removing the larger blocks, I start working on his outline.

…

bone whistle (fiction)

2007-10-29T04:00:48Z

The old man sat in his chair.
The fire burned high.
The boys did skits, told jokes, and received awards.

When it was time, the counselors moved to their seats.
The old man rose.
The old man hobbled out in front of the fire.
Silence.

The old man spoke.

~~~~~

When I was just out of college, I took a holiday to my uncle's in England. We whiled away the nights with food and drink. My degree was in Ancient Cultures, and my uncle regaled me with many stories of the people who had lived in the area. Among them, there had been a seafaring folk that had worshiped a dark god of the wind. There was still a low stone wall in town that had been built by them, running along the shore.

Toward the end of my stay I visited this wall, following its length. It was a beautiful day: gulls wheeling in an unadorned blue sky, gentle waves crashing upon the beach. I'd brought a bit of early dinner,…

September 28, 2007 (person)

2007-09-28T03:10:41Z

This is the oldest I've ever been

I just went back and looked at a past birthday daylog. It's been five years..

Since then I've joined a fraternity, left Chicago, finished school, truly begun practicing martial arts. I found my first true love, lost my first true love, bought my first car. I stood by my best friend as he joined his life to a wonderful woman, consoled my brother when the woman of his dreams walked out of his life, consoled him again when the next woman did the same thing. I sent a sister off to Seattle, sent the other off to Spain, and was there to welcome both of them back home again. I've met some truly cool people.

…

September 24, 2007 (personal)

2007-09-24T15:30:37Z

GDMA Jewish mafia: an offer you can't refuse

Last week I found somewhere to get a good New York-style bagel, where the owner is a gruff but attentive servant of his customers. I got my "everything bagel toasted with vegetable cream cheese", and chatted with Gary as my bagel toasted. I asked him how the day was going, it was slow, because dammit it was a Monday. Fridays and Sundays, better. Sometimes Wednesdays. David had come out of the back, occasionally answering a blaring cell phone. I browsed the display case, wondering if I'd ever get something else.

"Could I also get a raisin twist? They look good today." (he eyes me, judging my sincerity and haircut)

"You had 'em before?" (he finishes the cream cheese, wraps and bags my bagel)

"Well, no. But I'm looking forward to it." (h

…

September 17, 2007 (personal)

2007-09-17T18:32:45Z

Induction into the GDMA Jewish mafia

Last week I found somewhere to get a good New York-style bagel, where the owner is the only one you ever see. I got my "everything bagel toasted with vegetable cream cheese", and he asked if I needed a drink? Maybe a coffee, or a wodka? (this was when I knew this was the place for me)

Today I stopped in at lunchtime, so Gary was a little busy. A little old man shuffled in behind the local high school kids (ordering pizza bagels and sodas). As he got near the counter, Gary stopped attending teenagers and started hauling up several large bags, calling off "this one's two, this one's three, this one's one". The old man nodded, asked if he could have help getting them to his car. Gary paused and said he could in a second, eying his growing line. I asked the man if I could give him a hand.

"Do you work here?" (him sizing me up)

"No, but my bagel's…