Life stories

I swallow my fear

As a sideshow performer, I put swords down my throat. But offstage, ordinary activities can give me panic attacks

The Lady Aye Thursday, Apr 4, 2013 12:00 AM UTC
Life Life stories, Anxiety

I’m a self-publishing failure

I was hoping to become the next indie success story. Instead, I got a tough lesson in vanity

John Winters Tuesday, Apr 2, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 78
Business Writers and Writing, ebooks

My year on Match.com

I'd done so many scary things in my life, but this might be the scariest. At the age of 58, I joined a dating site

Anne Lamott Sunday, Mar 31, 2013 11:00 AM UTC 190
Life Life stories, Love and Sex

Honey, we’re praying for you

My parents can't handle the fact that I'm gay, and we'll never agree on religion. But I've found acceptance anyway

Aaron Hartzler Sunday, Mar 31, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 76
Life Life stories, Real Families, LGBT

My Steubenville

It was a base for the teen evangelical movement, where I saw fundamentalist Christianity's power, and its danger

Molly McCluskey Thursday, Mar 28, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 73
Life Life stories, Steubenville

When workers die: “And nobody called 911″

A man is scalded by nearly boiling water and citric acid. His fate points to a dark reality for temp workers

Jim Morris and Chip Mitchell Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 31
Working Ahead Life stories, Chemicals

Losing my twin

As Cara fought drug addiction, I tried to help. But she slipped into darkness, and I was left without my other half

Christa Parravani Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013 12:00 AM UTC
Life Life stories, Real Families

My inappropriate relationship

I was 12, and he was my 20-year-old camp counselor. For years, I thought I was asking for it -- but not anymore

Jillian Lauren Sunday, Mar 24, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 136
Life Love and Sex, Life stories

My bad sex wasn’t rape

The outcry over a recent "Girls" episode startled me. What happened to a woman's sexual agency?

Anna March Friday, Mar 22, 2013 11:00 PM UTC 405
Life Sex, Feminism, Rape, Girls

My friend the Iraqi

Our absurd humor brought us close, and 10 years after the U.S. invaded his homeland, I watched him become a citizen

Joseph Huff-Hannon Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 12:00 AM UTC
Life Iraq war, Iraq war anniversary

When the war came for me

Ten years ago, I was a soldier on my way to a Purple Heart for carpal tunnel syndrome. But my fate changed in a day

David Abrams Tuesday, Mar 19, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 13
Life Iraq war, Military, Soldiers

I sold my soul to Ricki Lake

A provocative Salon essay landed me a spotlight on daytime TV. Then, I had to suffer in it

Nicholas Garnett Monday, Mar 18, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 25
Life Life stories, Love and Sex

My tantric “awakening” turned me off sex

It was like an orgasm times 100. I thought I might die. In years of kink writing, I'd never felt anything so scary

Janet Hardy Sunday, Mar 17, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 174
Life Sex, sadomasochism, Tantra

My brother’s life, unraveled

Anthony was a star. But he faced a threat that none of us could contain

Alex Halperin Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013 11:45 AM UTC 63
Life Real Families, Life stories

My first taste of flesh

After a life of vegetarianism, I craved a more mindful way of eating. I started at the bottom of the food chain

Katharine Merow Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 21
Life Ethical eating, Vegetarianism

I was a comedy groupie

For three years, I exclusively dated (and slept with) professional funny men. It was hilarious -- and kinda tragic

Elianna Lev Monday, Mar 11, 2013 12:30 AM UTC 22
Life Life stories, Online culture

“Pause it when he gets shot”

Teaching in the murder capital of the USA, I see my students fascinated by the violence that tears their city apart

Kate Selker Wednesday, Mar 6, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 22
Life Guns, Violence, Sandy Hook

My fantasies of mass murder

I was a troubled kid steeped in video games and rage. I shudder to think of who I was, and what I could have become

Brian McGuigan Tuesday, Mar 5, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 32
Life Life stories, Real Families

My lady mustache

I have waxed and bleached and scorched myself with goo. If I can't get rid of my facial hair -- can I accept it?

Rachael Maddux Saturday, Mar 2, 2013 11:00 PM UTC 32
Life Body Wars, Body Issues

I’m not here to make friends

At my "Survivor" audition, alliances were formed. Hearts were broken. But would I make the cut?

Daniel D'Addario Saturday, Mar 2, 2013 12:30 AM UTC
Life Life stories, Survivor

RSS Feeds

Get Email Updates

SALON