TumbleDweeeb

Emmitt Owens

Music

  • Chill n’Fill: A Special Pop-Up

    Another Night at Chill n’Fill: The Prophet of Unnecessary Predictions *A Special Edition: Pop-Up Story*    It was early Tuesday night at Chill n’Fill, and I was three hours into my shift when Bob decided tonight was the night for what he called his “Grand Unveiling Ceremony.” Through the front windows, I could see him… Read more

  • The Trans Am (1982)

         I was five years old when I learned how to start a car. Not just any car… a 1980 Trans Am, dark purple, with T-tops that offered glimpses of Arkansas sky and an exhaust system that announced our arrival half a mile before we appeared. That Phoenix emblazoned across the hood might as… Read more

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 19

    The Card Hunter, The Minister, and The Modern Shaggy    Jennifer called in sick AGAIN. This marks the seventh time this month, which I’m pretty sure qualifies her for some kind of absenteeism world record. Today’s excuse was “car troubles,” which is both entirely plausible and completely suspect given that she used the same excuse… Read more

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 18

    Profanity, Politics, and Paranormal Activity      Jennifer called in sick again with what she claimed was “a severe case of food poisoning,” which is either genuinely unfortunate timing or the most transparent excuse I’ve heard since my roommate said our cat deleted our rent payment. Whatever. More questionable night shifts for me, Karlee, professional sarcasm… Read more

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 15

    Bicycles, Energy Drinks, and Candy Thieves    The Three’s Company theme song suddenly blared through the Chill & Fill’s ancient sound system, its jaunty, upbeat melody filling the store despite nobody pressing play. The cheerful tune about “come and knock on our door” and “three’s company too” echoed across the empty parking lot, creating an… Read more

  • Chill n’Fill Episode 8

    Metal Heads, Mountain Dew, and Midnight Mischief    Thursday night at Chill & Fill was unusually quiet. The one-eyed polar bear sign had been upgraded again—this time Bob had added a small plastic guitar to the bear’s paw, claiming it gave our mascot “rock star appeal.” The bear now looked like a pirate sailor who’d… Read more

  • In the Abyss

    In the Abyss, Ghosts are knocking, I’m just walking through that door.In the Abyss, Hearts keep beating underneath my creaking floor.In the Abyss, shadows are dancing, their whispers echo through my core.In the Abyss, silence beckons, as I surrender forevermore. Read more

  • Beyond Either/Or

    True freedom requires absolute responsibility, with stunning clarity.One cannot be both selfless and authentic, acting with sincerity. Happiness is simply a choice anyone can make, pursued with regularity.All suffering is ultimately self-created, viewed with peculiarity.There is no true altruism, only disguised self-interest, lacking solidarity.There is no such thing as a proud victim’s lamentation.Forgiveness always benefits… Read more

  • You Bit Snoop

      Back in 2006, I received an unexpected message on Yahoo Messenger from someone I didn’t know. The username that popped up on my screen belonged to an account with no profile picture or personal information—just a blank account that appeared to have been created only days before contacting me. This immediately raised some red… Read more

  • Johnny Sixx: A Tragicomedy

       I’m Johnny Sixx, a rapper from Kentucky. At 42, I’m still not where I want to be. I was born in Louisville, where my mother was 22 and my sperm donor was 38. I miss you, pops—wherever you He’s still“out for cigarettes” after 42 years.   At the age of 5, I moved to South… Read more