As if to say we could not escape so easily, we were awakened from our timid sleep by a fierce banging on our front door. Curious, tired, and still angry from the many bitter words that were spoken just a few hours ago, we shuffled into the kitchen. My mother opened the door."Hey, uh, could w...  read more

These are the faces of children. They are black from smoke and ash, ash that falls from the sky like hellish snow. Some stand idly, staring blankly at their feet, the sky, each other. Some lay unmoving on the ground, asleep or dead, but making very little difference. The air is thick with the ste...  read more

After Day 1 and Day 2 of camping alone, I got a great night’s sleep because I had the tent to myself. I was already seeing a benefit of camping alone. Over the next week, more benefits would become apparent.  I didn’t know what it would like to camp alone for an entire week, bu...  read more

As I sat on the cold concrete, going through cigarettes as if I were lighting matches and throwing them away, I saw a fire truck blare across the highway in front of me. A single thought rose to the forefront of my mind.I hope it's my house.

I was a sort of latchkey kid. I walked about a mile home from school every day, and made myself a snack before going off to play with friends, watch TV ... the normal stuff. Then one day, on a regular old afternoon, I set the kitchen on fire. How was I supposed to know microwaving a Hershey's bar...  read more

we had a resident arsonist in stevens square. he set the building on fire once, and we went to stay with my parents while they cleaned up the building, because everything smelled like smoke. a few days later, he set it on fire again, and this time it really took. the only apartment in the buil...  read more

Back in September (2007) I took a trip for work to Lake Tahoe. It was pretty amazing, the color of the lake is astounding. When I got to kayak out on the Lake I almost flipped myself out because looking down you can see to the bottom. For someone from Florida used to seeing sea grass, mussels, ro...  read more

on sunday, april 29th, at 3:42am, a tanker truck carrying 8600 gallons of gasoline crashed and exploded, causing the collapse of the 580 freeway overpass onto I-880. the accident occurred in oakland bordering emeryville near the entrance of the bay bridge toll plaza to san francisco. the truck d...  read more

This morning AJ talked me into the most unhealthy breakfast option - a pop-tart. Personally I think they are gross but I was running short on time and I figured "what the hell", add a slice of orange and some grapes and Kaboom you have a semi-nutritional meal. Our toaster has seen bett...  read more

One night, when I was visiting my grandmother, a family owned gas station about a mile down the road had caught fire. Somehow, I found myself rushed from the comfort of my bed and in front of the blaze, with someone much taller and much older than myself standing beside me.  As we watch...  read more