“Why the hell should I?!”

The shout rang out in the resplendent ballroom, cutting harshly through the chamber music and quiet, polite conversations that were had been going on, disrupting both, bringing musicians and conversationalists alike to a discordant, awkward silence.

Prime Minister Lewis, his beautiful and well spoken wife at his side, winced at the sound of the voice and, asking to be e...

Quick brainstorm: What would cause a debutante to be unwilling? What qualities or experiences do they anticipate that make them shirk from what is meant to be a coming-of-age ritual of great import?

- Affectations of rank and file

- ~Bad food (or great food, perhaps)~

- Undue or unwanted attention

- Uncomfortable clothing

- Family expectations; failure of such

- A desire to remain a ...

I heard laughter. Laughter, in response to that dry, monotonous anecdote? I was aghast!

My eyes focused in on our interrupted speaker, the department VP, and I did a double-take. Turning, I scanned the individuals around me, staunch old faculty and dyed-in-the-wool buy-ins mostly, and those few young, abitious individuals who, like myself, were trying to get ahead by seeking out more face time wi...

Oh cloudy day, oh starless night

When lights are off and all is quiet

The power’s off, the chores all through

And words have left my thoughts to brew

My senses inward turn, to me

My thoughts they wander aimlessly

My weary soul has space to breath

My heart can slumber in reprieve

Peace, peace, my toils cease

I’ve energy to seek release

My past examined, fears unbound

A chance to build on solid gr...