Shows
some of it's trueFinding GodThe crowd followed behind the boy as he held his chin up and continued to walk the road rarely traveled by others. No one had a reason anymore to take the dirt path leading to the only church remaining in the small town. That trail continued beyond the abandoned house of worship to the coast and ended beneath an ancient cypress tree. Step after step, the followers thinned out, leaving only a handful mocking the young man for his misguided faith in a long-dead ghost. The boy recalled his last conversation with his ill father as he approached the...
2023-03-0104 min
some of it's trueBest Honeymoon EverBefore discussing the honeymoon in great detail, it's essential to develop an understanding of our relationship. It's amazing how perspectives change after fifty birthdays. Our main goal this year after Lynette moved in over the summer was to be debt free going into the new year (except for the house.) We had a plan because, well, we're planners. And like any good plan, it all fell apart by fall. Unexpected circumstances never fail to pop up, and our water heater went out just like that. Even with the odds against us, we're still going to accomplish the number one goal...
2022-12-2804 min
some of it's trueEmie And MeThe old folks have always said that love tends to hurt. Well, they were spot on when it came to Emie and me. I couldn't have been more than eleven when she moved into the neighborhood. Clarkstown is a quaint community, but that girl sure did liven things up. I caught her attention when I passed her house on my bike for the ninth time. The whole ordeal was my fault. She did warn me, after all. Emily belted out, "Stop!" as soon as I zipped by her driveway. Her voice carried more authority than anticipated, so I...
2022-11-1311 min
some of it's trueChangeIt all started around the Thanksgiving table at my parent's house in 2021. The big plan was to propose to Sally when it was my turn to tell everyone why I was thankful. It marked our fourth year together during the Holidays listening to Uncle Joe tell everyone he was saved from a horrible end when Aunt June left him for the Quickie-Mart attendant. And Mom shared how blessed she was to be around for another season after having that hairy mole removed, even though she's in perfect health. It was tradition to let all the ladies go first, and my...
2022-11-0413 min
some of it's trueAutumn QuestThe Mighty Cumberland backdrop materializes as the technicolored leaves drift to the earth, signaling transition. God performs an effortless miracle furnishing a stunning quilt to warm the ground during the months ahead. Autumn foliage frolics through the breeze, using the waft as its partner on the invisible dancefloor. Gifts from the limbs caress my face while promenading by. Some crunch beneath my sneakers, leaving a footprint only to be erased by more leaves and shuffled like cards by the wind. Images of pumpkins and Halloween candy infest my thoughts while dragging my rusty old rake over the sleeping grass.
2022-10-2005 min
some of it's trueFirst CarIf I wasn't at school, I was working, and if I wasn't working, I was at church. Time for sleep never came easy but then again, at sixteen, who needs rest? Unlike most kids, I didn't get my driver's license as soon as my birthday came around. Independence never felt like a big deal. Plenty of opportunities arose growing up on a farm that kept me busy and free to experience life without guidance. The bus took me to school, and I had several people who gave me rides to work and church. And, of course, I always had my...
2022-09-3004 min
some of it's trueWould Of, Could Of, Should OfLooking for love in all the wrong places is nothing new for Phoebe. She's spent most of the '70s trying her best to connect the dots, but inevitably her number two pencil breaks or coffee stains the paper. It's not that she settles for the wrong guys, but somehow she pulls them in, and it's over before it begins. In every relationship, Phoebe leaps with the accuracy of an Olympic diver. And paddles with the grace of a synchronized swimmer. The mechanics are solid, but the show stops there because Phoebe can't fake emotion. She'd give everything she had...
2022-09-2310 min
some of it's trueThe SlowdownI've always lived in Clarksville. Like anyone else, I've moved around a few times. Still, I decided long ago that this city will always be my home, whether I reside on Memorial Drive, Bentree Court, or several other locations. It's a good town to grow up in, and I'm happy my kids made the same choice. During my walk at Liberty Park, I could not help but reflect on something that happened long ago; it sometimes feels like a bad dream when I think about it. In 2001 I was a young parent, married with two young children. We...
2022-09-0403 min
some of it's trueUnspoken Part 3 - The Proposal"Hey Lynette, I just finished another story and posted it on Facebook. I haven't recorded it yet, so would you mind pulling it up on my page and reading it out loud?" I asked, pointing to the second paragraph showing her where to start and then having a seat next to her to listen. Thirty-four years have passed since the night I first met Lynette. In a way, it feels like five lifetimes ago, and some days I can recall the encounter like it was yesterday. We've both been through plenty since we were teenagers. Kids, failed marriages...
2022-08-1508 min
some of it's trueWeddingsIt's not often I get the opportunity to dress up. Please understand that it's not something I look forward to no matter the occasion. Typically it means one of my cousins is getting married, and I have a lot of cousins. Putting on nice clothes is a lot of work for subpar non-chocolate cake. Those wedding mints are nice, but after two or three trips and a few handfuls, the grownups tend to catch on to my game. Plus, my pockets will only hold so many. Weekends are more valuable than they were before I started going to...
2022-08-1203 min
some of it's trueLet GoA few months had passed since Daddy made his way into Heaven. The farm looked the same. The crab apple trees still sent a burst of fragrance up the hill and around the house into the front yard whenever a warm wind decided to wake up. My dog Ginger continued to find me when I wandered outside looking for strange bugs or mystical arrowheads. The woods surrounding our home never stopped speaking into the breeze, calling me to explore. Dad was gone, but sometimes I could hear his voice echoing over the ridge urging me to come in for supper.
2022-07-2106 min
some of it's truePicture DayPicture day is perhaps the biggest day of the school year. Time will pass while images captured and carefully scattered throughout the annual burn a spot in our mental history book. We'll never see most of our classmates again, so they'll always be their first-grade selves with a 1978 haircut. We'll read about one another in the paper when we get married or have a baby. We'll bring up a random name in a random conversation and immediately flash back to Mrs. Jone's class on picture day. It could be thirty or forty years down the road, but all we will...
2022-07-0802 min
some of it's trueUnspoken Part 2Two years shuffled by as quickly as the last day of summer break when I was a kid. The first and only time we ever kissed was back in '88, and I knew I was in love right then and there. The whole relationship was doomed from the beginning when Lynette left the next day for home in Illinois. We exchanged addresses before she headed out and promised to always keep in touch no matter what. And we did. We slid into the friend zone right away because a long-distance relationship is challenging for anyone. With us being...
2022-05-1408 min
some of it's trueLost SpiritsThere's no timeline for Hannah. Knowing her, she's forgotten it's even 1972. A cross-country trip that could have easily taken a week or two to complete has her on the road bouncing from place to place for a few months now. She rarely thinks about the man she shot and killed back home, and when he does cross her mind, there's no inkling of remorse. She'd tell you the gentleman had it coming, and he should have kept his hands off the boy. Little Ricky does, however, appear in her thoughts, and Hannah wonders if she truly set him free. The...
2022-04-2804 min
some of it's trueSuper-Secret IngredientMaybe age is only a number, and perhaps it isn't. Ask me how I feel about it when I'm really old, like forty or fifty or something. All I know is that whenever a birthday rolls around, I get some fantastic chocolate cake my mother whipped up. Eventually, the seventies will become the eighties, and before I know it, the world will change, but one thing will forever remain constant. Chocolate cake will always be the most delicious cake ever devised. I've had some pretty outstanding desserts within my short life. The cake is the best reason to go...
2022-04-1704 min
some of it's trueUnspokenSunday evening was always more enjoyable than the morning at Pleasant View Baptist. A laid-back atmosphere of blue jeans and talk of the day's afternoon football game before the service is a better fit, and I don't even care for football. Brother Larry never failed to deliver some goofy greeting as soon as I stepped through the side door, and Brother Ben made me feel at ease with his generous smile. The church was my second home throughout the eighties, and I wouldn't have changed anything. I was familiar with every face behind those walls regardless of what day or...
2022-04-0907 min
some of it's true'75 EncounterEven at four years old, I've always prided myself in having quite the imagination. Thanks to The Twilight Zone, I can evaluate the possibilities of unusual circumstances surrounding regular people like me. Making a deal with the devil is never a good idea, and if I'm ever the last person alive in the world, I'd better take extra special care of my glasses so I can still read books during the apocalypse. It's my favorite show to watch, and it's right up there with The Three Stooges and The Little Rascals. The Twilight Zone, of course, is strictly for daytime...
2022-02-2406 min
some of it's trueThe PlaygroundWhat fascinated me the most about my first day of school at Cumberland Heights was laying eyes on the playground. All I could do was stand there and soak it all in and try to figure out how things worked. I could already tell my most significant hurdle would be the slide. Standing at the base of the contraption, I stared straight up into the sky, attempting to see the top of the ladder. The last step is hidden somewhere above the clouds as far as I can tell, and I'm sure it's difficult to breathe at that altitude. Deciding...
2022-02-0606 min
some of it's trueLoss part TwoIt's been four years since I paid a visit to the principal's office. Mrs. Allen, my second-grade teacher, found cause every week to send me to see Mr. Mitler, but it usually ended with a smile and encouragement to do better. I'm pretty sure I'm not in trouble this time, but I don't enjoy coming here regardless. It feels like a cold dentist's office, and I'm the only patient in line for a ride in the chair of destruction. The final year at Cumberland Heights has been a tough one for sure, and I never expected to end...
2022-02-0508 min
some of it's trueThe 4I'm not overly excited about going to work on Sundays. It's our long day at the Catfish House, and I'm stuck there from eight in the morning until around ten at night. Between all of the prep, taking care of customers, and doing inventory, it's not my favorite day of the week. The afternoon typically goes quickly with the church crowd busting in, but the rest of the day drags until I go home. The good news is I'm off the next two days, and tomorrow I can sleep in without worrying about burning the white beans or running out...
2022-02-0304 min
some of it's true'94 Ice StormLong johns, coveralls, ski mask, four heavy blankets, and I'm still cold. The worst part is initially crawling into bed. The mattress is as hard as a rock, and even with three pairs of socks, my feet are still freezing. Looking out at other apartments is incredibly frustrating because their lights shine directly through my window to remind me that they have power and I do not. It's already been two weeks of this, and I'm not sure how much more I can take. It's impossible to fall asleep, so my mind wanders until the bed warms up, if it...
2022-02-0204 min
some of it's trueA TimeEverybody is awkward at thirteen and unsure how to feel, think, or even comprehend what matters and why it counts. Some kids have issues talking to a cute classmate, while others have limited social skills altogether. No one ever explains there is no right or wrong way to approach life, and how we experience every breath should be up to each of us and no one else. Some people cry at a funeral while others may not shed a single tear, and there may even be that person who can't help but laugh in the middle of a miserable circumstance...
2022-01-2407 min
some of it's trueThe Slim GentlemanNo more than five hours ago, I was warm and cozy next to my wife in the den. The glow of a brilliant fire lit up her soft face to remind me of the wisest decision I'd ever made. Dumb luck introduced us, but my hardheadedness won her over in the end. Occasionally she'd look up at me with her sleepy eyes and smile. Right then and there, I thought to myself, "Eddie, you could die today, and these few moments with your sweetheart would make life whole." Never in a thousand years did I believe I would indeed...
2022-01-2310 min
some of it's trueSaving AutumnThe beauty of autumn in Clarkstown depends on how hot and dry the summer is leading up to it. June and July were so wet in '71 that the river flooded every inch of bottomland in the county. Most of the folks on the bluff could skip rocks right from their backyards, and rain is all they talked about on WJKM for two months. It's mostly dirt roads, and they were too muddy to drive over, so half the town had to walk wherever they needed to go. Not much changed for Ricky, though, because he rode his bicycle everywhere...
2022-01-1723 min
some of it's trueThe Experience"Ashlee, if you are attempting to kill your brother, you are doing a phenomenal job," I yelled as loudly as I could from under my pillow, endeavoring to pamper myself with ten extra minutes of sleep. Restaurant work is formidable, and the prospect of staying in bed on my day off tends to escape my fortune no matter how I try. "Kids will be kids," I ponder before screaming again, "Ashlee, Christian, come here!" The brother and sister duo whispered a few words of concern to one another before a mad dash to my bedroom. Ashlee comes to a screeching...
2022-01-1213 min
some of it's trueEmptyClifford dresses like he's a broken-down automobile some mechanic fixed up using old parts from three or four dissimilar models. Like the misshaped porkpie hat and Hawaiian print golf shirt, most of his clothes came from thrift stores. Even his khaki trousers and vintage black and grey saddle shoes are preowned. Everything Clifford possesses accompanies him at the pub somewhere between Mesquite and Las Vegas. It's one of several pitstops along the way to a new life in California. He manages to find the cheapest motel every time, a bar, and sometimes a hooker to spend the night with before...
2022-01-0824 min
some of it's trueWrite Far Away"Things are not looking good for the mighty Musketeers with thirty seconds left in the game and fifty yards. It looks like they've called a time-out. I want to take this opportunity to remind all of the fine folks who listen to WJKM that you can get your film developed over at Mr. Ken's Pharmaceuticals. That's right! Ken guarantees those pictures in one hour or less. It's not 1970 anymore, so step into 1978 and enjoy faster, more convenient film developing at Ken's Pharmaceuticals on Second Street right beside Frank's Diner. Pick up Grammy's meds and grab your photos from tonight's game...
2022-01-0207 min
some of it's trueThe GiftNate has big plans to ring in the New Year, but he won't be seeing 1980. Like every December thirty-first, he'll thumb through the pictures around ten in the morning, eat his two eggs, and maybe go for a walk. Nate appreciates the scenery of an abandoned downtown, perhaps because there's a bond with the boarded-up buildings. Often he will ponder how a little love is all the empty spaces need, but no one has time to invest in the forgotten side of town. Sometimes it's easier to drive on by and look the other way. "Why folks are drawn to...
2021-12-3006 min
some of it's trueHey TeachMy sophomore year at MCHS gave me a gift I'd cherish for a lifetime. Prior to the tenth grade, I invested many waking hours in pursuit of coolness. The goal of acceptance seemed within reach many times but faded away before I could secure my grasp. It always felt like I had something to prove, but that something remained a mystery and with good reason. My epiphany struck me as hard as Rocky pounced on that Russian dude in the fourth film. There was no reason to establish any kind of reputation because I'd finally grown to accept my 'dorkhood...
2021-12-2703 min
some of it's trueStillnessThe machine rumbles and sputters as the last bit of clean oil escapes through the hose into the deep fryer at the Catfish House. After placing the handle securely onto the filter machine, I roll it out of the way and walk toward the back door to look outside before checking the dining room. A bizarre warm breeze touches my face while pushing against the metal door. "It doesn't feel like January," I think to myself as I head toward the front of the house to send the remaining servers home for the evening. We all advise one another to...
2021-12-2704 min
some of it's trueLosing ChristmasWhen I was small, Santa left all of my gifts unwrapped on Christmas morning. It was nothing short of extraordinary to walk into the living room to see my Lone Ranger or the Star Wars toys I scored one lucky year. A record player even sat under the tree once surrounded by Kenny Rogers and Beach Boys 45's. I'd never owned my own vinyl before that. All of the splendor leading up to that remarkable moment was impossible to contain the night before and made it difficult to sleep. Getting a solid eight doesn't seem that significant when you're a...
2021-12-1906 min
some of it's trueSecond StreetKathleen is getting older but not old enough to call old. The Price Is Right has always been her claim to fame, but she didn't win back in 73' and now, in 78' she sits in Frank's Diner on Second Street. Some things seem like they happened yesterday, while others were surely two lifetimes ago. She fancies pretty dresses adorned with pink flowers and bows, but she's most comfortable in her worn bell-bottoms even though they're going out of style. Donald is barely past his prime, but men tend to age well. His buddies all call him Donnie...
2021-12-1506 min
some of it's trueA Little MagicMy house has two warm rooms, the living room, and the kitchen. Those enormous wood stoves certainly do the trick, and the sound of the wood crackling never gets old. It's about thirty minutes before bedtime, and I need to make sure I'm prepared to drift away quickly. It's a big night with Santa making a stop, so I have to do everything right. I've spent all year being a good boy, so I sure don't want to cause a ruckus at the last minute. Opening the door leading to the foyer, I make a frantic dash zipping...
2021-12-1206 min
some of it's trueThe Good NewsDad was one of a kind, and no one can argue that because it's a fact. If I'm being honest, I suppose we all are unique but maybe what I'm attempting to say is that our actions reflect how folks remember us. If you didn't know my Dad, Hank, well, you'd probably think he was crazy, and many did. My father's story is extraordinary, with a sprinkle of insanity thrown in, I guess. He loved people, he loved Christmas, and he especially loved my mother. Maybe it's not about who or what we love, but how strongly we love life.
2021-12-0809 min
some of it's trueThe Assignment: Chapter FourThe truth is, in the end, Kelly chose the man she loved. It's that simple. Cans bounced around, smacking the pavement behind my bright red pickup truck. Kelly and I drove into Gatlinburg with "JUST MARRIED" painted on the back windshield and along the sides of my brand new 91' Sonoma. Shiny gold rings on each of our hands completed the perfect honeymoon portrait. We were barely in our twenties, and everything was falling into its place. The both of us were together at last. Cars buzzed by and honked while fellow vacationers yelled, "Congratulations." We...
2021-12-0211 min
some of it's trueThe Assignment: Chapter ThreeI'm relatively confident God gives each of us the ability to love more than one person. Those feelings aren't like the numbers on a calculator that we can delete and start over. It's more like a beautiful painting we hide away in the attic because there's no room left on the wall. It's still around, it's still breathtaking, but it's out of sight and ignored except for the reverberations of joy that endure. Yesterday I was five years old, running from Margret on the playground in kindergarten at Cumberland Heights. Now I've graduated from high school, and I'm...
2021-12-0208 min
some of it's trueThe Assignment: Chapter TwoLife can be jam-packed full of second chances. Sometimes we have to orchestrate our own melodies, and occasionally, the day plays an unplanned piece so sweet we're not even sure if we are supposed to hear it. Welcome the tragic tunes and the victorious versus all the same because seasons are short, so we'd better listen close while we can. "Chris, I told you the car needs work, and it's not safe enough for you to drive. It died on me three times on the way to Montgomery Ward," Mom said for the final time, again. "...
2021-11-3008 min
some of it's trueThe AssignmentIt's a good thing I excel in speech and drama; otherwise, I'd be screwed in Mrs. Todd's class this year. Kelly is by far the biggest distraction in my life right now, without a doubt. I called her at least three times over the summer and hung up as soon as she said hello. Thankfully fate gave me an hour each day right next to her in class. We've spent the entire time bonding while our teacher became nothing more than background noise. It's worth trading my A+ for an A- as long as I get a date by year's...
2021-11-2807 min
some of it's trueSnowbird And BillMrs. Phillips recognizes we aren't completing any work today, so she rolls the projector in to keep us engaged. Movie time never occurs in her class, so we all know there is a genuine chance we'll be going home early. The lights go out, and the gentle hum from the machine follows the click of the on/off switch. The film works its way through the maze, gaining steam until our movie appears like magic on the brick wall. Word on the street is that there is an enormous snowstorm spiraling into Montgomery county. All of the students...
2021-11-2705 min
some of it's trueMacy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeIt's not Thanksgiving until Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is on the television. The floats, the marching bands, and the entertainers are mesmerizing. It's an enormous spectacle, especially for a little boy in a small town. Mom's already busy in the kitchen, but my father hangs out with me for almost everything. "Oh gosh! Oh gosh! Look, Dad, it's Spider-man! There's Superman Dad, look!" Dad smiles and reminds me that we have to watch until the very end because of the special guest. I know exactly what he's talking about because this isn't my first rodeo. They save Mr...
2021-11-2501 min
some of it's trueThanksgiving"We are taking heavy fire! I repeat we are taking heavy fire! I need a medic over here now! Keep your head down, son, unless you want to lose it. Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes, men," I said in my best authoritative voice. My mind tends to get pretty noisy whenever bombers, tanks, and machine guns are involved. "Chris, stop picking at the turkey," my mother demanded before kicking me out of the kitchen and sending me outside. There's no telling what time she got up this morning, but she's been in there...
2021-11-2303 min
some of it's trueAlways Wear Nice UnderwearI have made many trips to the chiropractor in my later years. The old back began going downhill at age 38. I'm guessing it has a lot to do with years of standing and lifting heavy things improperly. Restaurant work definitely has quite the impact on a spine. The biggest lesson my bad back taught me was always to wear nice underwear.I was complaining to Scott about my back pain again. I'm sure he was getting tired of hearing me whine, so he recommended his chiropractor. I was never too big on taking any drug to kill the...
2021-11-2205 min
some of it's trueEvelynI didn't know Evelyn back in 1933 during the height of the depression, but I know she witnessed the Second World War unfold on the radio like most Americans. By the time she was twelve, the whole thing was over, so I doubt she would have paid it much mind if her brothers hadn't enlisted. Days were taken up with chores mostly, but she found time to play like most kids. Her family was poor, but if you asked Evelyn how much money they had, she'd tell you they were rich. She'd probably even tell you to mind your own business...
2021-11-2103 min
some of it's trueTwas The Night Before ChristmasA Visit from St. NicholasBy Clement Clarke Moore'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;The children were nestled all snug in their beds;While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,When out on the...
2021-11-1803 min
some of it's trueCruisingSeventy-eight dollars was a pretty good haul today. The promotion from busboy to a server is what I needed. Now I'm making more in one night than I did in a weekend of cleaning tables at the Catfish House. Luckily Mrs. Ellis gave me a shot because I always thought I was too clumsy to carry all of those dishes up my arm. Some of the regulars who request me when they stop by are pretty cool and good tippers. It's not a bad job, but I don't see myself here much longer. "The floor needs to dry...
2021-11-1707 min
some of it's trueComing HomeI never liked flying. The one time I got a window seat, I ended up giving it to an elderly woman who insisted she could see her dead husband in the clouds and enjoyed long conversations with him. As far as I could tell, she slept the whole time. Isle seats are best anyway because these trips tend to make me sick. The tiniest bit of turbulence ends with my face in the toilet at thirty thousand feet. Being a member of the mile-high club isn't something I'll ever mark off my bucket list. I've always read that...
2021-11-1104 min
some of it's trueUncle NebSunshine shot through the rifts in the old tobacco barn in Salem, displaying millions of particles hustling around like minnows in a pond. Layers of deep green leaves linger overhead, perfectly placed until reaching their prime. A single delicate burley leaf escapes as if an elephant's ear could wilt and drop to the earth. Fallen plants blanket the ground but not for long. "Chris, bring me an arm full of those leaves over there in the corner," my uncle belted out, urging me to be careful with them. Gathering as many as I could handle in one trip...
2021-11-1005 min
some of it's trueHarveyNinth grade has been a whirlwind. It's my first year as an official high schooler, and I've figured a few things out. I'm not even talking about history or science; it's the important stuff like, well, life. Many of my old friends from elementary school vanished into the halls of my memory while new companions surfaced to the top of the pond surrounding MCHS. It's no one's fault; it's how life works, and that's alright. Playing football was never my dream, but I made the most of it for two years. Coach Horsey managed to convince me to...
2021-11-0806 min
some of it's trueFirst DateIt's almost a little cruel going from the top of the food chain as a sixth-grader into a school occupied by grades seventh through twelfth. Montgomery Central is a giant swimming pool occupied by hormone-driven adolescents pushed in with the option to sink or swim. Some students look like they could still be breastfeeding, while others have full-on Grizzly Adams beards. Seventh grade was a blur trying to find my way around and making new friends. Somehow I survived, and I can only hope eighth grade will be more manageable. The first bus ride of the year is...
2021-11-0509 min
some of it's trueYearbookThere's nothing like cracking open a brand new yearbook and getting a whiff of that adhesive and ink. Each section holds a treasure chest full of memories frozen in time. We quickly skim over some pages while others are studied and admired. Sometimes we skip the photos and quotes altogether and go straight to the signatures. I've always had a personal tradition of waiting until I get home to read what my friends say in the annual. It gives me something to look forward to, plus I can sit back and soak everything in without distractions. I'm busy...
2021-10-2809 min
some of it's trueCakewalkA breeze swirls and spins through the technicolored leaves on the giant oak. The wooden sculpture stands firm, but his limbs move to the melody as if conducting mother nature's orchestra. Gentle nudges encourage some to go and glide carelessly through the atmosphere. Leaflets perform a Japanese Kabuki dance in their final act before returning to the Tennessee soil. The best part about fall isn't even trick-or-treating. Every kid on my side of the Cumberland River gets excited about the annual Halloween carnival. The entire community shows up, and it's the only time I can't wait to burst...
2021-10-2605 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 14: Thirsty For MurderNo Name returns to the Dark Web after months of absence. His boss, Dickens, has been hacked by the host of a former radio program and the intense strangeness of the city’s past continues to come to light. Cast: Written by Ali TopCo-written and produced by Chris TopArt by Amanda Dudley No Name: Chris TopDickens: Chris TopJohn Reed: Chris Top
2021-10-2510 min
some of it's trueSea MonkeysOnce a week, Mom drags me along for a trip into town. The usual stops are Montgomery Ward, Hilltop Market, and either Bonanza or Captain D's. She clips coupons for both places, and we pick the best deal. I end up eating for free almost every time. I don't mind going unless she has a doctor's appointment because those waiting rooms are dull, especially for a kid who wants to run around outside. The best part of our weekly supply run is when she lets me choose a couple of comics. Spider-Man, Captain America, and Batman are my all-time favorites...
2021-10-2306 min
some of it's trueMy TurnMuffin jumps on my dresser and runs across, almost knocking all of my cologne into the floor. That cat is nearly as old as me, and she's had it out for me ever since elementary school. One morning, I slid my arm into my coat sleeve in a mad dash to catch the bus, and something felt strange. A prompt investigation revealed that my kitty plopped a number two in the pit area, and my hand pushed her surprise all the way up my arm. With the school bus approaching quickly, the entire house declared code red. Dad ran outside...
2021-10-2205 min
some of it's trueLoss Part OneWho knows whose house is older. Mine sits at the end of Mellon Road, and it's all I've ever known in my eight years of existence. Apparently, my mom and dad purchased it from the Mellons who were there before them. In an old residence similar to ours, Miss Della lives up the street with her two children Billy and Binky. It's nice having friends around my age in the neighborhood. I'm a lucky kid. "Mom! Chris broke something again," Binky yells out to Della as Billy shakes his head and chuckles. It was the lamp this time...
2021-10-2105 min
some of it's trueBusted Part TwoHigh school is tough. There's so much to learn, and on top of that, I'm trying to figure out life. On the one hand, everything I want to do seems far-fetched and out of reach. On the other hand, none of the usual career paths remotely interest me. Fantasizing over being a writer or an actor may be unrealistic, but I have hope, and maybe that's enough. If it weren't for my friends, I'm not sure I'd stand a chance my junior year. Rhonda and Kim give me a reason to smile in my least favorite class, geometry...
2021-10-1806 min
some of it's trueBusted Part OneTHWACK! "Ah holy hell, that hurt," I blurted out after the surprise attack courtesy of Fred in the seat in front of me. I can't even begin to describe how much assigned seats suck. If you're surrounded by kids who sleep the entire time, it's a pretty sweet setup. As luck would have it, I'm stuck with a chronic puncher five days a week. Most of my trip consisted of staring at the back of Fred's head, awaiting the attack. Billy, who sat beside me, knew better than to chuckle because Hulk would say, "What you laughing at," then smash...
2021-10-1605 min
some of it's trueRipplesI'm not sure who was the first to say life is a roller coaster, but they were accurate. All of the tragedies and triumphs are hills and dips that we have minimal authority over, but it keeps things entertaining without a doubt. The voyage begins the day we are born and doesn't slow down until the end, and all we can hope for is a long ride. After a quick stop at Hilltop Florist, I headed over to my girl's house with some fresh-cut flowers. It wasn't a special occasion, but I wanted to surprise her before going...
2021-10-1405 min
some of it's trueThe JumpThe old barn never let me down. It's easy to find materials for any project my mind can dream up. Today I'm searching for a wide board and a couple of blocks for my big stunt. The Price Is Right comes to mind as I pass the old dust-covered corn sheller and give the wheel a spin. It's always fun to see how long the hoop rotates because it's a sign I'm getting stronger. A stopwatch would come in handy, but I trust my ability to count each second out load until the oversized metal ring comes to a halt...
2021-09-3004 min
some of it's trueLong Walk HomeDust emerged and swirled around like a dirty cloud that wasn't lovely enough for the azure sky. That car sped by, throwing gravel everywhere. We don't see many automobiles at the end of Mellon road. Most turn around at the barn well before getting to my house because they're either sightseeing or lost. "He must've been in a hurry," I thought as I tried to brush the dirt from my hair. All of that wind sure wasn't helping much either. If I'd stood in one place long enough, my older sister, Susan, would eventually write, "wash me," on the back...
2021-09-1305 min
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some of it's trueMean BoyIn the eighties, everything was extravagant. Big hair and makeup to shoulder pads; it was all INXS (see what I did there.) Ninth grade was an uncomfortable in-between sort of a stage. I'd left the cradle of middle school and hopelessly needed to establish myself as a grown-up high school parachute pants-wearing mullet-promoting kind of guy. Somehow I had gotten elected class president that year. I'll never understand how that happened to this day. Halfway through my campaign speech, I forgot what to say. During the eternal pause, I contemplated exiting the spotlight and fleeing the country. I...
2021-09-1104 min
some of it's trueThe DoorTonto sails through the air, landing in a Buckeye tree before it could plummet back to earth. "Dang it," I yelled out loud while looking over at The Lone Ranger. The poor guy was already missing his mask because I couldn't wait to reveal his identity when Mom brought him home. Now thanks to me, he also lacks a sidekick. "I guess we'll have to wait for him to fall out, Kemosabe," I said before escorting my trusty ranger out of the woods. His foot was a bit deformed thanks to our fluffy calico, Muffin. I learned to put my...
2021-08-1606 min
some of it's trueSummer Of 88It was one year before the big graduation day. A gallon of gas was .91 cents, and I couldn't stop listening to Guns N' Roses. Big hair was in; speaking of big hair, I could afford to see Big twice at the movies because tickets were $3.50. Welcome to the summer of 1988. My first car was a 1971 Volvo. My brother, Larry, tried his best to make me believe it was a cool car. "Looks a lot like a Mercedes," he told me. I think it lasted about a week before falling apart on the way to work one day. I...
2021-08-1404 min
some of it's trueMy KingKer-Snap! A giant Catawba leaf shoots toward the sky and gently floats downward, just missing my dusty tennis shoes. My trusty red bandana is always the weapon of choice whenever fighting off giants or trolls in the backyard. I'm sure I would have been a match for Zorro, considering all of my practice. After stuffing my well-worn cotton cloth into my pocket, I ran into the house straight to my bedroom. The clock is ticking, with only an hour left until dark, so I must take advantage of every moment. Cautiously removing my Elvis record from its cardboard...
2021-08-0705 min
some of it's trueLittle MomentsI was never a big fan of fishing, and I can shoot a gun, but hunting never did interest me. Working on cars, driving a tractor, and woodshop was never my thing either. People expect a person to excel at these things when they're from the South. The song Free Bird is incredibly too long and honestly dull. Of course, I could never bring myself to admit that around anyone with a mullet or gun rack in their Ford F-150. I spent a few summers working in tobacco, and it was enough to know I never wanted to do it...
2021-08-0503 min
some of it's trueMy Flexible FlyerLong before iPhones, Playstations, and Facebook, we had no choice but to play outside. I had this old rusty sled passed down from my brother and sister or maybe one of my cousins. It was a cast-iron beast attached to stained wood that I remember pulling out of the barn every winter. Part of the adventure was locating this metal monster from within the structure surrounded by other relics. Either I couldn't remember where I put it from the year before, or my dad tried to hide it in fear of me killing myself racing down a hill. The barn...
2021-08-0203 min
some of it's trueFirst KissThe Summer of 1987 is one I will never forget. The Simpsons made its television debut, and every girl on the planet was talking about Dirty Dancing. My favorite movie that year was Good Morning, Vietnam. In one month and three days, I would be old enough to drive. It wasn't movies, TV, or Michael Jackson's Bad that made my summer special. It wasn't even the fact I would gain a tiny bit of independence with my driver's license. I'll remember the summer of 87 because I fell in love for the very first time.Let's get something straight. I...
2021-07-3006 min
some of it's trueSpyglassI always kid around with people about how I've never been cool for one second of my life. Popularity wasn't something I placed much importance on, but it would have been nice to see how the other half lived. My superlative was most courteous in school, so I got thanked a lot for opening doors, but "life of the party" was never a title placed upon me by my peers. Except for this one time at a beach house on Spyglass Drive. We all have that vacation we continuously revisit in our minds. The adventure that comes up...
2021-07-2808 min
some of it's truefirefliesI can remember three things about 1980. Some guy named John Lennon was shot to death, and Mom took me to see The Empire Strikes Back. The third memory was seeing Dad for the last time. He had passed away the year before.The Southern sunlight peeked through my window, calling me like the sound of a banjo bouncing from the East Tennessee mountain tops. Each day would bring a brand new adventure. All I had to do was experience it, soak it up, and bask in the beauty of freedom only rewarded to a kid my age. "I...
2021-07-2505 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 13: Time to DieMonths after Tammy and Sadie were killed and revealed not to be human, but a product of the future called "Icons" No Name has tapped into a darker side of himself, while Tracy has begun to heal and find peace under the guidance of John Reed, her new guardian. John Reed takes No Name's new revelation that not all is as it seems as an opportunity to make good on a promise he made in Episode 7. Under His Eye; to pursue the dark web serial killer, show him a better way of life, and reveal to him all the secrets...
2021-07-0607 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 12: New Year, New MurderIt’s a new year, and No Name is fully embracing his role as the dark web’s biggest star. Meanwhile, John Reed’s daughter holds a giant celebration for the city of Clarksville, which provides the serial killer with a perfect opportunity to snatch his next victim in plain sight.Created and Written by - Ali TopCo-Written and Produced by-Chris TopNo Name - Chris TopDickens - Chris TopJohn Reed-Chris TopAbigail Reed-Ashlee SherronRandom Stoner Man-Ashlee SherronArt by- Amanda...
2021-02-0108 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 11: Life Is DeathNo Name-The Dark Web Serial Killer relishes in his desires and mercilessly murders a man lacking in morals. In the aftermath, he’s still left with questions after the deaths of Tammy and Sadie Page. What is his real purpose?Written and Created by Ali TopCo-Written and Produced by Chris TopCover Art by Amanda Dudley No Name-Chris TopDickens-Chris Top
2020-12-0108 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 10: ChillsSeason 2 Premiere, Episode 10 - CHILLSLocal teen Tracy Page is armed with knowledge and a few choice weapons as the threat of her father, Silas Henry, Clarksville’s roughest Bounty Hunter, approaches. Meanwhile, No Name The Dark Web Serial Killer mentally prepares himself to be the one who actually kills Tracy’s family. What happens next is unexpected, and as No Name soon realizes, life isn’t as normal, or even as stable as he once believed. What if humans aren’t the only thing living on this earth? Written and created by Ali TopCo-Writt...
2020-11-0117 min
some of it's trueRewindIt's funny what I can remember from forty years ago. I can recall my home phone number, my address, and my decapitation. My neighbor had just finished putting up a new barbed wire fence. Cruising down Mellon Road on a borrowed three-wheeler, the curve came up to fast, and I lost control. I headed straight through that new neck-high fence and ended up playing basketball with my dead father and sister.What kid wouldn't enjoy a game of hoops with his dad and big sis in the front yard? They both towered over my eleven-year-old body like a...
2020-09-2104 min
some of it's trueNo More RegretsWe were at the end of the road, the last of a dying breed. Nine had come before us, but none would go after. We closed the chapter on a decade of big hair, neon, and mullets. We knew every single word to Livin On A Prayer and had multiple shades of acid wash jeans. We are the class of 1989. The entire 80s was a free fall. We made up everything as we went along, held our breath, and just jumped. I mean, we might as well jump. It beats getting thrown from the back of the pickup truck, all...
2020-09-1806 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 9: True LoveSynopsis: For the first time, Dickens orders No Name to murder people who, on the surface, seem innocent. Meanwhile, Tracy Page discovers the Dark Web and plots the death of the man coming after her family.Written and created by Ali Top Cover Art by Amanda Dudley No Name-Chris Top Opal Pain-Alex Voss Tracy Page-Ali TopProduced and co-written by-Chris Top
2020-09-1214 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 8.2: How to be the Perfect Serial KillerNo Name, everyone’s favorite Dark Web Serial Killer, takes a break from murdering people to answer everyone’s most burning question; What does it take to be the perfect serial killer? Written and created by Ali Top Cover Art by Amanda Dudley No Name-Chris Top Produced and co-written by-Chris Top
2020-08-1306 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 8.1: Dickens Is Our SaviorSynopsis: Dickens hatches a plan to put No Name in his place after the accidental death of his employee, Elsa.Credits:Creator and Writer-Ali TopCo-Writer and Producer-Chris TopArtwork- Amanda DudleyNo Name-Chris TopDickens-Chris TopRoboto-Chris TopEartha-Alex VossTammy Page-Ericka ArcadiaSadie Page-Ericka Arcadia
2020-06-1905 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 8: It's Still MurderThe drama intensifies as Elsa aids No Name in killing her husband.Credits:Creator and Writer: Ali TopCo-Writer and Producer: Chris TopArtwork: Amanda DudleyNo Name: Chris TopElsa: Eileen BewRichard: Chris Top
2020-06-1909 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 7.1: Killing For A FriendNo Name is assigned to kill a man who's tried and failed to maintain sobriety. Dickens does this as a favor to the man’s wife, who has been working in the murder cleanup crew.Credits:Creator and Writer: Ali TopCo Writer and Producer: Chris TopArtwork: Amanda DudleyNo Name: Chris TopDickens: Chris Top
2020-05-2204 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 7: Under His EyeDickens reveals he has more people under his thumb than the dark web serial killer, but a plot formed by a bitter ally could mean trouble for Dickens, No Name, and the Annihilation Chamber.Credits:Creator and Writer: Ali TopCo Writer and Producer: Chris TopArtwork: Amanda DudleyNo Name: Chris TopDickens: Chris Top John Reed: Chris TopWoman on Commercial: Ali Top
2020-05-0207 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 6.1: No One Left To KillNo Name recalls his past; what life was like before becoming a serial killer and what drove him to the streets before he met Dickens.Creator and Writer: Ali TopCo Writer and Producer: Chris TopArtwork: Amanda DudleyNo Name: Chris Top https://www.christopprogram.com/no-name
2020-04-1804 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 6: Death Was The Only CureDue to the CoronaVirus, No Name is forced into completing a different task than Dickens had originally assigned him. Furious by the change, the dark web serial killer refuses to show any excitement during his next kill. Meanwhile, all is not as it seems and No Name starts to question what his actual purpose might be. Credits:Creator and Writer: Ali TopCo Writer and Producer: Chris Top Artwork: Amanda DudleyNo Name: Chris Top John Reed: Chris TopDickens: Chris Tophttps://www.christopprogram.com/no-name
2020-04-0112 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 5.1: I'm Not CrazyEnraged over the lack of communication on No Name’s part, Tammy’s daughter Tracy Page calls the serial killer to insure him that there will be hell to pay.Written and created by Ali TopCover Art by Amanda DudleyVoices:No Name-Chris TopTammy Page- Ericka ArcadiaSadie Page - Ericka Arcadia Tracy Page-Ali TopProduced by-Chris Tophttps://www.christopprogram.com/no-name
2020-03-1703 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 5: Slow BurnNo Name learns that his victim who he previously assumed to be under age is actually an adult, and for him, this means no mercy. No Name reveals the true reason he hates arsonists. Created and Written by - Ali TopNo Name - Chris TopDickens - Chris TopArt - Amanda Dudley Produced and Co-Written - Chris Top
2020-03-0112 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 4.1: Calm Before The StormOn a dark and stormy night, No Name gets called in to take out a young man belonging to a satanic cult. No Name’s victim is also an arsonist with a deadly past, and the serial killer has his own personal reason for his distaste in the crime. A dark secret about No Name’s past will later come to light, and the slaughter will begin.
2020-02-1503 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 4: Masquerade MurderMurder is in the air at the charity ball hosted by the Clarksville Chive. When site moderator James Boone gets his secret life of internet trolling and racism exposed by Dickens, No Name is forced to dawn a mask and play the part of a smooth charmer at the masquerade ball with his “date” Tammy Page. How will No Name, the dark web serial killer fair when his next kill involves being undercover on the surface web? Written and created by Ali TopCover Art by Amanda DudleyVoices:No Name-Chris TopTammy Page...
2020-02-0114 min
some of it's trueRideshare Stories Episode 12ShotgunMy playlist is always on whenever I'm taking Uber & Lyft rides. I'm partial to oldies, and it seems like the majority of my passengers are too. Once Sue got into my Jeep, she immediately noticed Junior Walker And The All-Stars coming through my speakers. She smiled and told her story.Clarksville in the sixties was a little different than it is today. One of the car lots on College Street in front of Austin Peay was instead a small empty brick building. Sue was thirteen at the time, and like many kids that age, she...
2020-01-2803 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 3.1: The Angel Of DeathNo Name faces an obstacle he never thought he’d have to endure; fame. Former victim Jackal Hinders is exposed for his crimes against children, but during the kill, there were witnesses. Now, all of Clarksville Tennessee celebrates the hero known only as “The Angel of Death,” as dubbed in The Leaf-Chronicle. Of course, murderers never want to get caught, how will No Name deal with his newfound fame?Written and created by Ali TopCover Art by Amanda DudleyVoices:No Name-Chris Top ROBOTO-Chris TopProduced by-Chris Tophttps://www.christopprogram.com/no
2020-01-1507 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 3: 'Tis The Season To Be MurderedAfter a brutal murder committed by our favorite serial killer, No Name travels with his now-dead companion to see what Christmas is like for “normal families.” Will this hardened killer wish he had hung up his sword for the chance at having a family? Written and created by Ali Top Cover Art by Amanda Dudley Voices: No Name-Chris Top Tammy Page- Ericka Arcadia Sadie Page - Ericka Arcadia Dickens- Chris TopBob Lorry-Chris Top John Reed-Chris Top Tracy Page-Ali Top Produced by-Chris Tophttps://www.christopprogram.com/no-n
2019-12-2412 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 2.1: He Must DieTis the season to be murdered! This episode of No Name The Dark Web Serial Killer will bring new challenges for our favorite serial killer. Will he be able to face his fears and get the job done? https://www.christopprogram.com/no-name
2019-12-1607 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 2: We're Thankful You're DeadNo Name begins to realize that working for Dickens is not all it seemed at first, but when he gets the chance to kill a man who has secretly assaulted children for years, No Name puts any complaints he has to the side and focuses on his potential second kill. Turning on the camera and streaming to the Dark Web for the first time, how will people react to his twisted ways?https://www.christopprogram.com/no-name
2019-11-2814 min
No Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 1.2: Do Not Open The Red DoorLearn the terms and conditions of No Name The Dark Web Serial Killer working for the ruthless Mr. Dickens.Fan of the show? Give us a HEART and subscribe on your favorite platform.Everything No Name here https://www.christopprogram.com/no-name
2019-11-1705 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 1.1: Who Is Mr Dickens?Subscribe to see who I kill next. https://www.christopprogram.com/no-name* Make sure you listen to Episode 1 first.
2019-11-0103 minNo Name-The Dark Web Serial KillerEpisode 1: L I E SI have always been drawn to the art of taking someone’s life. There are so many ways one can do it, just as there are options on a restaurant menu. You are hungry for pizza? I’m hungry for the kill. One day, a man who calls himself Mr. Dickens found me, knowing the things I was hungry for, and hired me to kill a terrible man who should have never been born in the first place. I work for him now, doing the same thing’s I’ve always done, just for money and a place to lay my head...
2019-10-2809 min
Scratching the Surface104. Cab Broskoski and Chris SherronCab Broskoski and Chris Sherron are two of the founders of Are.na, a knowledge sharing platform that combines the creative back-and-forth of social media with the focus of a productivity tool. Before working on Arena, Cab was a digital artist and Chris a graphic designer and in this episode, they talk about their desire for a new type of bookmarking tool and building a platform for collaborative, interdisciplinary research as well as larger questions around open source tools, research as artistic practice, and subverting the norms of social media. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm.
2018-12-1956 min