The Good Times: Beauty and the Beast

I make no apologies for writing about the dark things in life. I believe sharing my struggles and my successes in coping will help increase awareness of mental health issues, at least a little. However, my life is not all dark. As I race towards the conclusion of my naval career, I will rest my … Continue reading The Good Times: Beauty and the Beast

I Miss My Standing Desk

I miss my standing desk. I’m serious. I miss it. There is a hole in my life where my standing desk used to be. A void, an eternal pit of black despair mired in the knowledge of the lost freedom and blood flow I used to enjoy while conducting the Navy’s business. Now my khaki-clad … Continue reading I Miss My Standing Desk

Inner Visions

Writing is good for me. I have attempted suicide many, many years ago. I have dealt with a serious fight with depression and anxiety for my entire adult life, and it was not always recognized for what it really was. This left me to muddle along without proper treatment and support for a very long … Continue reading Inner Visions

What Was It All For?

Right out the gate let me tell you that I have been living with chronic depression and anxiety for, well, most of my life. Despite the jovial, irreverent facade most people see during the day, the core emotional reality I experience nearly all day long, every day, is a dark melancholy, a Black Hole. No … Continue reading What Was It All For?

Nuovo Inizio

SUFFOLK, Va. (Feb. 20, 2017) - It has been a highly kinetic week at work before this holiday. I’m not merely the chief of production at my command; I’ve taken over as chief of operations too. The assumption of additional responsibilities happened while I was in Naples, so I had to hit the deck plate … Continue reading Nuovo Inizio

Walking the Path of God

(Written Feb. 9) - I'm batting out the notes for these things the day of the event, but then polishing them up after the fact. I don't want to publish lousy grammar...especially as I've spent seven of the last ten years of my naval career teaching writing! Today my multimedia workshop students were cut loose … Continue reading Walking the Path of God

Monte Orlando

(Written Feb. 5) - I'm trying to catch up a bit. Sue me--I'm busy continually overcoming my own mental health issues while seeing the world. After all--why else join the Navy? Certainly not for the easy working hours! I'm staying on board the Navy's support site in Gricignano di Aversa, outside Naples proper. Today I … Continue reading Monte Orlando

Agoraphobia and Herculaneum

(Written Feb. 5) - Granted I'm here to teach a couple of courses. The students come first, the exploring comes second. However, those moments do come! Yesterday (Feb. 4) my friend Gary loaned me one of his cars. The last time I drove in Europe was when I was stationed in Spain from 1998 - … Continue reading Agoraphobia and Herculaneum

Across the Pond

Fortunately, I was wise enough to pick an aisle seat. The law of absurd occurrences kicked in when I booked my flight; I picked an aisle seat in the middle row. So, of course, the other three men planted to my right were all slightly bigger than I am (and I'm no menehune at 6'3" … Continue reading Across the Pond

Poetry Night

Endure the Rest Nathanael Miller, 21 Jan. 2017 How do I control what I can, Adapt to what I can’t, And somehow endure the rest? _________________________ When Irish Eyes Are Smiling -for a friend- Nathanael Miller, 20 Jan. 2017 When Irish eyes are smiling The fields are green and lush. When Irish eyes are smiling … Continue reading Poetry Night