the world of gretchen cello

Right now I am sitting in a glass room with every door open surrounded by forest (once again) smiling. And considering some of my irrational activities as of late… smiling feels even more spectacular than usual. There is the most sublime bite of a morning breeze blowing through reminding me of autumn’s arrival… coaxing my words into stories and poems.

Being the youngest of five children has benefits for many reasons, but still being spoiled with sweets each time I come out to visit must be my favorite. At 31, I’ve had a decent run with this… nearly 32.

Have I mentioned my birthday’s in five days? Continue reading…

Yesterday I lost my shit. I nervously paced a dark room. I went to Starbucks just to get out of the house and spent three hours staring at the wall. I held the tip of my pen against paper to the point where blue ink oozed into wordless piles that stained through three pages of my notebook. Finally I tried to write down what my problem is.

Because for those of you just joining up with the cult, that’s what I do… I write.

Today is my 350th post striz-at. Continue reading…

As a Writer, no where has opportunities like New York City… in my humble opinion. And no place else has New Yorkers…

Watching the sunrise in Queens a few days back, one of my favorite people and I were discussing New Yorkers. He made me laugh saying something like ‘We’re the only “-ers”, New Yorkers… You don’t have Los Angeles-ers or Chicago-ers.’ I chimed in with ‘Same in Australia, no Melbourne-ers… Sydney tries to have “Sydney-siders”, which is whack to begin with.’ Continue reading…

I believe the next collection I put out will be short stories (don’t quote me on that though…) Here’s one I’ve been playing with today… no title yet. I’m so crap at titles.

untitled (aka work in progress)

I notice that I have blue hands the first day that I meet Xavier. Continue reading…

Wandering around yesterday breaking night and chasing sunrise, I had a few interesting head shifts that danced between states of surrealism, uncertainty, and confident nods. Continue reading…

I actually wet my pants in the stationary shop on 6th Avenue yesterday when a glorious Cambodian man presented a silver Parker pen with a wide, white tooth smile and simple statement of ‘Nine dollars, thank you.’

So far I’ve shown my pen off to two friends that both commented on how light it is. I thought that was cool because I never really considered why I prefer a certain instrument, I just know what I like… which seems to be something light weight and clicky… with refillable blue gel ink. Continue reading…

gratitude of undo

concern. over. weather changing. i juiced. dark clouds. brightening a path. offering a rainbow. as a second place follower. i guess. this wasn’t good. enough. i am one. to appreciate. fatal falls. loose end chasing. supposing. i should. say… Continue reading…

I have been so off my face with jobs and books and running and ranting I didn’t even notice my 300th post straight come and go! Usually I make note when I flip a hundred… like here and here … Continue reading…

Namaste my beloved cult clan

First: I was published this week in the extremely dope lit mag Short, Fast, and Deadly. I learned about SFD after reading a piece by Senior Editor Joseph A.W. Quintela that was published with another one of my favorites, Bananafish Magazine. While you are clicking around gobbling word goodies, do make sure to catch up on the writing of Bananafish Editor Daniel McDermott as well. Feel free to run off for coffee first… I’ll wait here… Continue reading…

I woke up this morning, fired up the notebook, and literally repeated ‘job job job job job…’

Shortly after, I put on a very pretty dress and hit the streets with fabulous family member Chris whose couch is serving as the coziest nest during my transition into NEW YORK CITY!!

We rocked up at a joint that had an ad on craigslist for walk-in applicants interested in waiting tables at a bakery-ish coffee-like place. So less than 24 hours after arriving in Queens… I got  a JOB!! Continue reading…