Published inSex and Satire ·Pinned Member-only Middle-Aged Ride of Shame First time sex after divorce. First time on pallets. “Tired of white, bearded, and hairy guys? Go bald smooth and Chinese.” That was the opening line on my dating profile. While my grandparents had arranged marriages in China, I had the freedom to swipe through hundreds of ladies sitting in… Sex 5 min read Sex 5 min read
Published inAbout Me Stories ·Pinned Member-only About Me—Ryan Chin In my older age, I’m getting soft, and I’ve learned to do stupid things a lot smarter. I’m a 47-year-old bald and smooth Chinese dude. That’s what I wrote on dating apps when I encouraged women to change it up from the norm here in Portland, Oregon. Tired of all… About Me 6 min read About Me 6 min read
Published inCatness ·5 days ago Member-only I Don’t Just Miss My “Old” Cat I miss all of her. My old gal, Baetis, has been gone for three months now after two decades purring at my side. In her last years she slept on a window perch that my daughter and I made for her. There were times when her breathing was so slight… Cats 4 min read Cats 4 min read
Published inAge of Empathy ·Aug 14, 2022 Member-only Six Years After Divorce I’m Declaring Myself Healed! It feels good not wanting to destroy my old house. — I just bought a lunch gift certificate for my Ex and her new partner. They’re celebrating their commitment in Maui. Last month they ended up at the same concert as my girlfriend and they all sat together. During a recent heatwave I napped in my Ex’s house on my old… Divorce 4 min read Divorce 4 min read
Published inChange Becomes You ·Aug 3, 2022 Member-only To be Healthier and Happier Men — We Just Need to Talk and Cry We can be a shoulder to cry on and cry at the same time. — Paddy the Baddy ain’t so bad. The brash UFC mixed martial arts fighter with a British-Scouser accent famously talks a lot of smack. However, after winning his fight in London on July 23, he didn’t bash his fallen opponent or arrogantly tout his skills. He used the stage to send… Mental Health 5 min read Mental Health 5 min read
Published inAge of Empathy ·May 24, 2022 Member-only Battling Parkinson’s by Firing Through Helping my Dad live his best life. — “Whoa Dad. You look more wobbly than usual. Should we bag it or fire through?” My 76 year old dad lifts his head and stares at me with glassy eyes. He smacks his lips, something he’s doing more of as Parkinson’s Disease affects his speech. He replies, “Fire through!” “Ok,”… Parkinson Disease 5 min read Parkinson Disease 5 min read
Published inCatness ·May 23, 2022 Member-only Baetis: The Kiwi-Queen A lucky cat naps and dreams of her previous chapters. — Baetis, the old tabby with the ginger accents, labors up a cedar plank ramp to her perch at the kitchen window. Curled claws grip and click on the soft wood. Her claws left marks at ten different homes spanning almost two decades on both sides of the equator. Many a… Cats 7 min read Cats 7 min read
Published inAge of Empathy ·May 12, 2022 Member-only Spending Time in the Ex’s House The Deep-Sad: Some hurts never leave completely. I stared at the basement wall with its built in cabinets and oversized drawers and I cried. The deep drawers were made to swallow all the supplies a preschool teacher needs to nurture the minds of young ones. I made and painted every… Divorce 4 min read Divorce 4 min read
Published inA Parent Is Born ·May 8, 2022 Member-only Giving Our Kids the Power to Deal The battle against Nature Deficit Disorder. — “…as human beings we need direct, natural experiences; we require fully activated senses in order to feel fully alive.” Richard Louv — Author of Last Child in the Woods Slugs hang from the nostrils of my two kids. The strands of mucous dance in rhythm with their steps. Smiles burst… Nature Deficit Disorder 4 min read Nature Deficit Disorder 4 min read
Published inThe Memoirist ·May 7, 2022 Member-only Mom’s Wok: Stir Fried Love The legacy of my Mom’s love and a wok. — I reach for a worn wood handle. A warm feeling shoots into my hand, different from the flames heating the well-seasoned wok before me. I wonder how many times Mom gripped the handle of this wok? How many hours had she stood over it waiting for the oil to get… Mothers Day 5 min read Mothers Day 5 min read