Maya

Remembering our strength

I’ve recently been put into a situation where I showed someone in a position of power a weakness in myself – the fact that I am highly sensitive, and willingly go outside my comfort zone and boundaries in order to appease others. I’ve done this before, but I’ve never had it used against me or taken advantage of the way that it is now.

Age against the machine

One topic that’s a focal point in the film is James Murphy’s age and his relationship with his age. He’s currently 42, and he started LCD in his 30s. Like they pointed out in the film, if you’re an author, that’s young.

When the truth doesn’t hurt

This is about my parents, who were then on their way home to North Carolina from their yearly three-month trip to Beirut as I sat watching the colorful explosions, feeling proud to be America

Breaking up with Facebook

Sometimes when I tell people I’m not on Facebook, I get a look comparable to what I’d get if I said my girlfriend just impregnated me and I’m due next week. I can just see the gears spinning, not catching, in their minds.

Tales of a serial nomad

I pride myself on not having overly sentimental attachments to stuff and even to people, because I’ve picked up, packed up, and shipped out so many times.

Queer and roving in Las Vegas

Funny, people who’ve known me for years have said that I wouldn’t like Vegas: Too artificial, too gluttonous, too lit-up for me. I absolutely get that. It’s not generally my style.

But there’s something special about a place that doesn’t make you feel guilty for anything. At least, not while you’re there. I’m a Taurus, a lover of all things natural, yes, but also a lover of indulgence.

Confessions of a once bullied teen

One day a boy in my class drew a picture: All my classmates were on one side of the page, and I, by myself on the other side, stood with the awful nickname written above my head. He hung it on the classroom door. My teacher walked in and removed it, but didn’t say a thing about it then, or ever.

Salam: Boy meets girl meets girl

I did what depressed, confused girls needing affection and attention do; I bought into it, but not fully until my first long-term relationship with a boy ended. That boy is very important to my story. We were together for almost two years. I loved him; he loved me. He was a “good ol’ boy” (as they say in Kentucky), and he is gay.

State of the Nation and sleep deprivation

I’m an addict. I’m addicted to reading loaded political news right before bed spurring a diabolical cycle of insomnia, anxiety, and repeatedly questioning “How can this be?”

Living as free as my hair

When I cut it to a chin-length bob after a bad break-up, people freaked out. Basically, no one liked it, and I would wake up the middle of the night reaching for my long hair, shocked to remember that it was gone. Was I not “pretty” anymore? So, I grew it back.