February 9, 2024

A Brief Legacy of Steve Schleicher

Posted by in Audio Arts
A Brief Legacy of Steve Schleicher

It is not often that The Fictional Cafe does a page to honor someone who has passed. But when a person like Steve Schleicher leaves this mortal plane, he deserves to have his accomplishments shared with the world, just one last time. So without further ado, a brief legacy of Steve Schleicher. Stephen Lloyd Schleicher was born on September 14, 1965 to James and Joan (nee Wiley) at St. Mary’s Hospital in Watertown, WI. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater from 1988 to 1990 where he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Education, in Social Studies Teacher Education. From 1996 to 1999, he attended the Aurora University where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching. He then moved to his hometown of Watertown and taught Government at Watertown High School for 25 years…

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March 10, 2023

Michael Larrain’s “The Long Con”

Posted by in Writing
Michael Larrain’s “The Long Con”

for Sister Monica Joan  I’ve sort of lost track of time, but it must have been, oh, a dozen or so years ago that I put a rear-view mirror on my medicine chest, so that now when I shave of a morning I can only see myself in the past. And therefore, by a process I cannot pretend to understand, do I grow one day younger every day. As long as I keep shaving, I’m slipping backwards twenty-four hours at a time, growing gradually more limber, my synapses finger-popping like Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, my beard no longer bristling with silver but turning to a burr of golden blond. When I remember how to move the appropriate muscles in my face, I catch the reflection of something resembling a smile, teeth sparkling, eyes bright….

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April 27, 2021

“Head Space,” Poems by Ted Millar

Posted by in Writing
“Head Space,” Poems by Ted Millar

Head Space    I still know my childhood best friend’s  telephone number even though  I’ll never dial it again.    I’ve taught certain poems so many times  I can recite them on demand, yet  some claim that has no practical application.    Most find my ability to name the American  presidents by years in office amusing  before urging me to remember “something important”    (like last night’s winning Powerball numbers?).  I embrace my savant-esque ability to rattle off  every Bob Dylan album and the songs featured    on them. I prefer not to cram my head   with empty crap on the radio and celebrity   gossip, thank you very much.    Want something proofread, I’m the resident  grammarian, but if it’s scores to last night’s  game, I suggest turning on ESPN.    I’ve actually read the whole Constitution,  not cherry-picked excerpts. Ditto   the Declaration of Independence,     the United Nations’ Declaration of…

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