new book by Menthol UP: 4233 7th Ave

In the last few weeks I've been wrapping up my thesis and thinking about moving away from wild, woolly, rainy, drug-addled Seattle. I wanted to have some kind of tacky scrapbook or keepsake to remember my college days. I was going to edit some stories or finish something. Instead, I decided to just publish what I have, in chronological blog order, using copy and paste. It's 223 pages, dated from newest to oldest, no pictures. No editing, and including multiple versions of works in progress. The entire VACATIONS / MENTHOL UNIVERSITY PRESS blog from first entry in November 2007 to May 2009. Here is an older excerpt newer readers may not recognize.

In death, the men seemed to cuddle, their arms reaching through one another and into the pockets of their over sized jackets. They were a tangle of billfolds and cellphones, legs at odd angles and eyes partly open. I wanted to see something peaceful in their eyes, but I believe that the peace I eventually felt came from myself alone.

My partner and I escaped the Belltown loft and clung to each other hungrily. The sea air swept up the hillside as we ran to a bus stop. A car would have been too much trouble. Dianna, especially, had been apposed to using a car.

On the day I met Diana, she and I were the only members of the Club. Actually, she couldn't be a member. So I was the only member. The Club does not allow women to join, vote, or attend secret meetings. Women are only allowed to visit on lastday.

At first it was only Diana and I. I remember beautiful hair in the wind on the water front and my leather briefcase, wet from the rain and casually flung over my shoulder. On my lunch break I used to leave the office on 5th and Madison and walk all the way down to the water. It didn't leave me enough time to eat but I liked to see the water in all seasons and smile at the tourists discovering historical landmarks and charming curiosity shops.

On that afternoon she discovered me leaning on a pier, pulling on a menthol cigarette, because it was almost warm that June and because my employer tried to deny me health insurance because of my smoking. I knew several other smokers at my firm and not a few cokeheads, but for some reason I'm the kind who is picked on by superiors for bad habits. The world is not fair.

Buy directly from Lulu for $12:

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/4233-7th-ave/7166117

Or message me and I will give a steep discount if you are local (Seattle or Oakland). There will also be copies at my Graduation party in Redmond on the 13th of June.

Thanks for the support or something.
Erik, CEO MENTHOL UP