Sep 10Member-onlyMy Empty Nest AdventuresThis isn’t what I was expecting — it’s better — As I bathed in the bright afternoon sunshine, I realized I was standing on the same street where I’d lived exactly 20 years earlier. I happened to be wearing my Parisian earrings in this French shop with its jaunty French music playing. A dash of Europe in my new city…Dating6 min readDating6 min read
Aug 3Member-onlyMy Final Dating Foible on the Mississippi CoastI still suck at IRL dating, too — I walk in for the first time and can’t miss him. Tall, tan, tattooed, and a beaming smile. He’s friendly and welcoming. I’m sure he gets a lot of attention from women, but he’s not my type. A few minutes later I notice the quieter guy nearby behind the counter…Dating5 min readDating5 min read
Published inThe Riff·Jul 7Member-onlySummer VampA BMT Mixtape for the Riff — One of my very favorite parts about blogging is creating my mixtape titles. The optional title for this mixtape was Summer Camp, but the title swap felt more unique (and fitting). In any case, do I have some treasure troves for you today? Honestly, I could knock out a mixtape…Music3 min readMusic3 min read
Published inThe Riff·Jul 3Member-onlyAn English SummerA BMT Mixtape for the Riff — I emerged from the train steps and realized I’d stumbled into an English fairytale. The grand buildings — ranging from the sleek modern buildings of the City to massive St. Paul’s — were nowhere to be found. I’d only ventured 20 minutes by train from central London but had been…Music4 min readMusic4 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 29Member-onlyWill You Find Your Way Back to Me?A BMT Mixtape for the Riff — I might sit down to write with intention, but I’ve learned over these 5 1/2 years that my mixtapes often present themselves organically. The inspiration for my mixtapes frequently comes from several seemingly disjointed ideas that, in my mind, share a connectedness. This mixtape is a perfect example. I was…Music4 min readMusic4 min read
May 27Member-onlyI’m Going to Solely Publish Photos of Myself on My Medium StoriesAm I being paranoid? — When I first started writing on Medium in late 2017, there was a prolific writer who always attached photos of herself to her blog posts. She shared (and shared and shared) stories about her ex-beau who dumped her in Asia and the aftermath of that experience. I never particularly minded…Self4 min readSelf4 min read
May 8Member-onlyReflections on My Dead ClassmatesGone too soon — I’d never visited the house before but recognized the face looming down at us as we crossed the threshold. The massive high school senior portrait above the mantle was unmistakably from my alma mater and graduating class of 1990. “Is that Quinn Toulon? Is this the Toulon home?” My then-husband…High School5 min readHigh School5 min read
Apr 24Member-onlyI Was in a Situationship the Past 4 MonthsAnd it was exactly what I needed — After the absurdity of December 2021’s triple whammy of the hobosexual, the flake, and the only-wants-one-thing dude, I had every intention in 2022 of shutting down my dating apps from Thanksgiving to the new year. But I left them open again and ended up matching with Sam Rockwell’s doppelganger in…Dating5 min readDating5 min read
Published inThe Riff·Apr 22Member-onlyMy Ever Changing MoodsA BMT Mixtape for the Riff — I apologize for being so out-of-pocket. I’ve traveled a fair amount over the past several weeks, but mostly I’ve been unmotivated. My current house hasn’t sold. That is such a frustrating story of things WAY out of my control. It should have sold at full asking weeks ago, but my…Music5 min readMusic5 min read
Published inThe Riff·Mar 19Member-onlyDepeche Mode: The Ultimate PrimerForty Years of Controversy, Stardom, Influence, and Experimentation — I’m driving 120 mph down a quiet south Georgia highway. Music blasting. The sunroof’s open and my hair is swirling. My best pal is in the front passenger seat and two other close friends lounge in the back. We’re one week away from high school graduation and our parents have…Music10 min readMusic10 min read
