I Think It’s My Heart

MikeachimThe Everyday20 Comments

“I think it’s my heart,” I say at the desk. The receptionist picks up the phone and speaks into it, unhurried but certainly not dawdling. I’m led to a waiting nurse. They’re all watching me. Waiting for me to do anything…dramatic. Oh god. Not like this. Please.

Writing Fantasy: Choose Your Own FAIL

MikeachimThe Everyday30 Comments

Welcome, adventurer! You’re about to embark on the most difficult challenge known to any creative artist – ACTUALLY STARTING WORK. Millions have tried, and millions have failed! Will you be one of them? BEGIN!

How To Be Rude To A Latvian

MikeachimThe Everyday12 Comments

(April, 2000) Well, maybe it’s down aisle 3. I try aisle 3. Bread. Strange jars of cabbagey, pickly things. More bread. Larger pickly things. Even more bread. Dear god, Latvians like their bread. Sadly, I’m not after bread, I’m after what is apparently the rarest of things in Latvia – a jar of curry sauce. And if it’s in this supermarket, … Read More

Hadrian’s Wall: A Birthday Adventure / Cry For Help

MikeachimThe Everyday19 Comments

Every year I set myself a birthday challenge – something that looks feasible from a distance but turns into a living hell close-up. Last year, I wandered across the North York Moors in an 8-hour October rainstorm (and ended up writing it up for the San Francisco Chronicle). On my birthday this year…well, I was busy. Too much writing, too much … Read More

All It Takes

MikeachimThe Everyday1 Comment

(2008) The voice coming over the loudspeaker is beginning to struggle. “Uh – on platform 6, the Treno Notte to Roma will be leaving in approximately…” “SHOW ME TH’WAYDA GO-OME…..CAZZ I’M TIREDANA WANNA GOHDA BED…”