Eccentric Tea Woman

  When Olivia woke up on a rainy Saturday, she realized that everything had changed. She looked at the rain storm outside her old windows in her bedroom then smiled as she slid out of bed. She walked down the narrow hall to her kitchen to prepare a cup of tea then stopped as she reached her living room. There were beer bottles all over the floor, along with issues of The New Yorker , several poetry books, and an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts, some lipstick stained, and others just stained. She glanced at the sight, then plodded towards her kitchen. She really wanted a cup of tea. A rainy Saturday means that I can stay in and watch movies , she thought as she prepared her kettle. Olivia lowered her bag of Earl Grey tea into the mug and said aloud, “I don’t care anymore. All of it. None of it.” Although her words barely came out in a whisper, she felt as though the world heard her finalizations. Once everything was ready and the kettle slowly boiled the water, Olivia ret...

  For the longest time, I worked in Corporate America by way of investment firms and banks. I completed my tasks, got paid, made some friends/associates, and felt a little empty inside but it was what I had to do. I had bills to pay, an apartment to upkeep, and my life to enjoy. One day in 2019, I decided to leave my current job because I learned that my manager not only threw me under the bus with regard to a work assignment but also when I confronted her with the truth that yes, I had completed what she claimed I didn't, she never replied or acknowledged that she was wrong. I couldn't work under those conditions, and so I turned in my notice and began the shaky path of being self-employed. For those of you who don't know, I own an online tea business plus I am a published author. I guess I am a creative professional or something along those lines. I spent some time working solely on my loose leaf tea blends and my novels that would be published either through my publisher...

For quite some time, I have been an avid player of MMORPGs, specifically World of Warcraft and recently, Guild Wars 2 . I love the feeling of when I am about to delve into the fantasy world riddled with quests, meeting NPCs, and avoiding/engaging with other players. The scenery of each area, coupled with the sweeping music, makes me happily lose an hour or two of my day. However, it has recently dawned on me that while these games are fantastic to play, there are many lessons to learn regarding life. Here are several that I learned: One - Life is NEVER black and white. When you begin your journey into WoW or GW 2, you spend time creating your character. The race, gender, profession, and even colour of hair are quite important. You even get to choose your affiliation (Horde vs. Alliance) and so when you strike out into the world, you steadfastly hold on to what you believe in. However, the more you level up, the more you begin to see the blurred lines, that not everyone is pure evil no...

I dreamt I saw you before me. You hadn't changed a bit. Still the same asshole that I thought could change my life. In this dream, you smiled and I wondered if you were sad. How strange our minds can become when we are broken like discarded dolls. Perhaps when I awaken I shall realize my mistake of ever taking you seriously. Forgive me; my sins are still Being washed from my skin.  Viridian Tea Company - Tea, Books, and Artwork! Click HERE for the website!

  The gods of old speak to me. I refuse to listen, simply because I've got better things to do. They tell me to listen, Childe. Listen and understand that you are finally free to believe in us again. I raise my head and scream - how dare you! How dare you tell me to believe in you when that's all I've done? Because I believed in you, I was led astray. The gods fall silent, yet I am not done. I listened to those who were touched by you. I wanted to follow in their footsteps but instead I was mauled, raped, manipulated, and spit out over and over. Why should I believe in you when you've shown me nothing but darkness? The gods ponder my heated words and leave me alone for a while. When they return, they speak as one: We showed you magick because you are a part of it. You listened to others with the same colours only they have lost their way. They showed you their version of what we are but mangled and tangled and unable to be set free. You saw through it and walked away an...

  I want, I feel the need to control everything in my life. If I don't control every little fiber of my life, then something will go wrong. I will fall down on my face in shame and embarrassment. I will be a failure.  I used to be like that until quite recently. Like last week recently. I received not-so-good news regarding my small business on Friday afternoon. The letter fell from my hand and my eyes focused on nothing before me. I felt as though I had done something wrong when only later I learned that it was an honest mistake that would be handled in time. I kept asking myself how this could have happened to me. After all, I was in control of everything, right? Wrong. Yes, I am the owner of a micro business (I have no employees and no storefront), yet it has been a struggle these past several years. I am now waiting to hear from a job that will hopefully get me out of this quagmire. I was frustrated with myself for not having everything under control - I thought everything...