The Story You Focus on

Nathanael Miller, 24 April 2025 Jack Vettriano’s brilliant 1992 painting of four unidentifiable people slyly forces the viewer to actively choose which one of at least three different stories to focus on. The Singing Butler is a remarkably deceptive piece of work—and therein lies Vettriano’s genius. Hidden within this stylish piece of narrative art is … Continue reading The Story You Focus on

Veteran Talk – Fighting the VA

Join me for a brief and energetic conversation about problems with the VA in general, and the VA Pensacola Clinic in particular. After being shunted between NINE providers (primary care and mental health) in LESS than two years, I'm fed up. There is a solution to this, but it's a long game and we have … Continue reading Veteran Talk – Fighting the VA

Autism 51 – First Days

NEW VIDEO! "Autism 51 – First Days" explores this first few weeks I've had of living with a diagnosis of autism. Already several mysteries about me and my life have FINALLY been answered, but it's still a process, journey, and even kind of a massive impact rearranging vast swaths of, well, me! Join me for … Continue reading Autism 51 – First Days

Veteran Talk – Twenty Years Later

(Niceville, Florida; 11 September 2021) – Twenty years ago today I was standing on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as we spun up the Tomcats of VF-213 for a routine day of flying over the Arabian Sea. One of our civilian tech reps had a small camera and waved to me, … Continue reading Veteran Talk – Twenty Years Later

Mental Health: Open Letter to Afghanistan Veterans 2

(Niceville, Florida; August 21, 2021) – It’s been five days now since we watched the horrific farce play out in Afghanistan. I can’t even look at any of my ‘Navy Pride’ stuff. T-shirts, ball caps, anything. Looking at it fills me with such rage, such betrayal, such a singular sense of senseless futility that I … Continue reading Mental Health: Open Letter to Afghanistan Veterans 2

Mental Health: Open Letter to Afghanistan Veterans

(Niceville, Florida; August 17, 2021) – I cannot offer any witty remarks or humorous proverbs about what happened yesterday in Afghanistan. I’m a veteran myself. My deployments were at sea, but all were in support of my brothers and sisters on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq. I helped launch the first Navy manned strikes … Continue reading Mental Health: Open Letter to Afghanistan Veterans

Just My Thoughts: Momentous Triumphant!

(Silverdale, Washington; April 23, 2021) – The pandemic has impacted everyone across the globe. Our nation has been riven by fear, strife, super-spreader events justified by politicians and media pundits who preferred to advance a political agenda at the expense of safety, and the loss of time with loved ones…if not the loss of the … Continue reading Just My Thoughts: Momentous Triumphant!

Mental Health: Another Shipmate has Fallen

(Silverdale, Washington; Oct. 29, 2020) – Today’s column was supposed to be about the minor success I’ve had with my first novel, Proud Lion, and my plans for book 2, The Norfolk Murders. Sadly, the tragic death of one of my shipmates from the real-life USS Ponce (LPD 15) upended my plans. I served with … Continue reading Mental Health: Another Shipmate has Fallen

Mental Health: Into the Volcano

(Silverdale, Washington; Jun. 23, 2019) – I debated for a long time whether this column should go under “Travel” or “Mental Health,” but the mental health analogy won out. However, that does not alter the fact that, last Saturday (June 15) I accidentally hiked right into an active volcano’s crater. I know, I know—you’re wondering … Continue reading Mental Health: Into the Volcano

Mental Health: Where I Have Been

(Silverdale, Washington; Jun. 9, 2019) – I’m back. I was able to finish the Grand Tour properly and a bit early (all 50 states, and a bit of Canada, from Nov. 2017 – Oct. 2018). But I had to lop off a lot of stops in order to see all 50 and get home in … Continue reading Mental Health: Where I Have Been