I meant to post this in April on the anniversary of the Waco Siege. I visited the site several years ago while on a trip to Austin. Prior to the trip I did a little research online. Some folks said the site had gates that were closed, or signs forbidding anyone to enter. Others who made it in said a few residents or Mt. Carmel members approached them. Not in a diabolical way, but to chat. It was August, and very hot, when we arrived (kind of off the beaten path – a little difficult to find, for me at least). There were gates but they were open. My friend Aidan and I walked right in. It was eerily quiet when we walked in…
Essays, Interviews, Observations, Pop Culture, Stories, and other Dodginess
Posts from the “random dodgy” Category
While in Champaign at the University of Illinois, Aidan and I decided to stop at one of our favorite places to buy alcohol. Booze Liquors. That’s it. That’s the name. Booze Liquors with a sign above the door that said just that but in between the “Booze” and the “Liquor” was a characterization of a drunk man in a top hat with a big shiny red nose. Our old friend Kentoff still worked there. But now he ran the place. We knew Kentoff from making beer runs there in college. His dad, who owned the store, died six months ago and left it to Kentoff. We tried to shorten “Kentoff” to “Ken” but he would have none of it. Sometimes we would call him…
Been taking a break writing and editing the book, and took a break from that by visiting Panama City Beach with Mosquito (featured on this site in various posts and also in the book). That pic above was taken from the balcony of our hotel room. Panama City Beach – only about a 13 hour drive from Chicago. Quickest way to the ocean by vehicle from the city. Often referred to as the Redneck Riveria, here is Urban Dictionary’s definition: The most beautiful beaches in the world. Sugar white sand, gently washed by an azure sea. Home of the best spring breaks, water parks for the kids, tattoo parlors, beer joints, crab shacks, burger barns and tee shirt boutiques. Plus more beach trash and trinkets…
The Dodgy 