I have experienced too many specific events that I have “wished” to occur for mere coincidence to explain. However, I am also equipped with a rational mind – a mind that is hard-wired to seek out direct causes and effects. This would leave me dumbfounded when the question of “how” some situations in my life could have possibly unfolded. Wiser now, I have grown to simply accept and to be grateful for dreams that are fulfilled - but the question remains, what of those dreams that don’t come to pass?  

This is a simple, fictional story of what could happen when discordant themes, when opposing wills clash – unknowingly derailing a particular reality from manifesting.   Oh, by the way, there isn’t a Norms diner at the corner of Figuroa and El Cento in Hollywood. The two streets (to my knowledge) don’t meet. 

Special thanks to Pipe Choir III for the use of “Slow Time” as background music. 

The “facts” in this story all occurred.

To those of you who know me in real life – now you know why I really left my home and moved to California over 40 years ago.

Special thanks to P C III for the use of “Trampled” as background music. 

We have all seen how a parent can be too invested in their child’s academic or athletic success.  But what happens when the child prodigy falls just short?   

Like many of my fictional stories, "No Pain No Gain” has a full measure of ‘truth” included. 

Special thanks to P C III for the use of "Slow Time" as background music.

Enjoy! 

This is a story about how one’s principles and self-respect can clash with the situations that society forces us into.   Even though this is fiction, the character and some of the events mentioned in the story are inspired by a man who I have personally known for 40 years. I hope that you enjoy this story and I hope that it gives you something to think about afterward. 

 Thanks for your permission and for giving me the title for this story Sarge! 

Also, Special Thanks to Stacxk for the use of “Cold & Clear” as background music!  

We have all heard stories of how someone owes their fame or good fortune to their making a deal with the devil, but we rarely hear about the deals that don’t work out.  In this story, even the devil can’t help. 

A very special thanks to “Night on Mars” for the use of “Calm and Luxury” as background music. 

Demolition Derby is a rather dark fictional story based upon how the trials and tribulations of the working poor play out in their lives.  In this story, one family’s problem “ran off” years before only to resurface later.  After you listen to the story, you are invited to comment on what you think happens next. 

Special thanks to Night on Mars for giving me permission to use “State of Waves” as background music. 

This is the Epilogue and commentary for the three “Vietnam War Legacy” stories.  In this commentary, I tie my fictional characters – Trey, Trang, and Anh-to the “real-life” history that inspired these stories.  I also share my views on what I discovered about the Vietnam war era while digging around for background material to base these stories upon.   As an American, I have been left with the opinion that, even though we as a nation have seemed to conveniently forget what happened as a result of our involvement in the Vietnam war, we need to remember what forces conspired to draw us into the conflict so that we don’t make the same mistakes again.     

Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Bogey” as background music. 

This is the third story in this series – Anh goes from being a “Bui Doi” - an insignificant speck of dust to a “golden child” with a ticket to immigrate to America.  Once in America, she thrives - but there still is one missing piece in her life.  Does she find her biological father in time for her wedding?  Does he even want to be found?  What happens after this story ends? 

Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Loops to Aviemore” as background music. 

This is the second of three stories revolving around the legacies that the Vietnam War left in people’s lives.    After leaving Saigon and returning to her childhood home in Hui, Trang discovers that the ever-shifting geopolitical sands force her to move again to stay one step ahead of the Viet Kong guerillas - who are on the hunt for her and her baby, a baby that will be vilified and face outright discrimination in a society which has a preference for ethnic homogeneity.  

Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Sleepless” as background music. 

This is the first of four podcasts that are set in a time of great social and geopolitical upheavals in the world – the early to mid-1970s.  This was a time where American involvement in the Vietnam war was ending.  The first three podcasts are stories that are interrelated.  Listening to them in order would be preferable.  The fourth podcast is an epilogue for the three stories and my personal commentary about what I learned about the Vietnam War and the 1960s and 70’s while working on these stories.   

 In the first story, Trey, as was the case with many US servicemen, has been drafted into the Army and finds himself reluctantly in Vietnam.  Little does he know that the experience will leave him with an unintended legacy – one that will reemerge decades later in his life. 

Special thanks to my friend Amin, who provided me with the original inspiration to write these stories.  

 Also – special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Smooth as Glass” as background music.