About

107 Comments

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Listen. Places matter. And places speak. Life happened here. Who lived and worked here? What did they experience? How were they affected? Listen to the voices and they will tell you all.

Please allow me to introduce myself. Brian Westbye: corporate warrior, cultural dilettante. After following a path of desultory 9-5 expectations, I had a mid-life epiphany (at age 26) and embarked on a path of writing. I have been a music critic, an op-ed scribe, a commercial copywriter, a travel writer, a blogger and a short-story writer, among many other incarnations. World Domination will follow.

I post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in weekly cycles of Memoir, Poetry and Fiction (or as long as my writers block allows). And I’m thrilled to have you with me.

Send Cube distractions (Please!) to greenback.media@gmail.com

PLEASE: NO peer blog awards. I’m flattered, but these take too much time away from my limited writing time. Thank you.

107 comments
  2. Kayla said:

    I admire your mid-mid-life crisis.

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  3. Your ‘About’ page is enough in itself to get me as a subscriber. We’ll see each other at the finish line come Domination Day -grin-.

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  5. I have no idea how you found me, or why you subscribed, but in doing so I found you and just cannot get enough of your words. They are so descriptive I am transported to that moment in time as a bystander to the events you write about. Thank you for leading me here Brian Westbye. I added you to my blog roll because I think you are worth sharing.

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    • It was either a comment you made somewhere or a search for travel tags, but I saw your title and liked what I read. And thank you so much. I’m truly humbled and inspired to read this.

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  6. Also, I used to have a blog for the Portland (ME) Press Herald called The Native Tourist (same concept – seeing my home with tourist eyes) and I was also in several bands in Boston with great success. So there’s that. 😉

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  7. Thanks so much for the follow! I look forward to becoming a regular reader of your blog. I can already tell that I love it.

    Ashley

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  8. Brian,
    Your prose is visual. Alluring. Provocative.
    Thank you for following me, I’m happy to return the favor.
    Stacie

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  9. Thanks for visiting Clip Snark! Your about page and the fact that you have Vivian Maier as a category is all I need to know to click “follow”. 🙂

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  11. Thank you very much for visiting my blog Brian. From the little I’ve read, you seem like a unique and fresh writer and I look forward to getting more acquainted with your work. Nice to meet you!

    Louise.

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    • Louise, I’m so sorry: I thought I replied to you but it looks like I didn’t! Please forgive me. And thank you so much! I look forward to great interaction!

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  12. Sounds like you have accomplished a lot. It’s all about the journey right?

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    • So far, so good. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by, Hobbler. I admire your journey like crazy.

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  14. Lily said:

    Hey, thanks for the follow! Your blog is great! Well written stories!

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    • Thanks, and vice versa! Looking forward to swapping stories…

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  16. Hi Brian. I’m sending you the Kreativ Blogger award because I enjoy reading your blog. I understand that some people are ambivalent about these awards, and that’s okay. I’m a bit ambivalent about them myself. But, if you’d like to participate, check out my blog for the award blurb. And thanks. 🙂

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  17. Janet said:

    Hi Brian. I found you through Jeanette Monahan. Our blogs are similar (even same WP theme!) and I’ve been enjoying reading your stories. Happy writing.

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    • Janet, I really appreciate you popping in and taking the time to leave your kind words. Thank you so much!

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  18. dd16591569 said:

    Hi Brian, Thank you for stopping by .. Thank you for giving me the chance to find your Blog.. I enjoyed reading you ‘About ” page .. your transformation at the age of 26 had given the rest of us the pleasure to read your writing.. Hope to read more and i will be following your blog.. I love reading and writing.. they represent a challenge for me.. English is not my First language and as the linguist Noam Chomsky said it is hard .. but I it is not impossible .. I am Amateur writer and learner .. and have a long way ahead of me ..
    🙂

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    • I think you are doing just fine! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and write. I look forward to sharing our work!

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      • dd16591569 said:

        thank will be my Pleasure

  19. goodness, Brian… I’d settle for Word Domination!! you have HIGH goals 😉
    so pleased we’ve met!!!
    🙂
    janet

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    • My pleasure! Good question. I have brought back a few characters, but mostly it’s five unrelated narratives weekly. But who knows what the future will bring (insert laugh-track gasp)…

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  22. Hey there Brian…just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for the ABC award….which I’m calling the You’re Fucken Awesome Award…only cus I then get to post a video I’ve been dying to find a reason to post! Awards can be awkward to deal with…I’ve decided to use this one to mention only writers who I admire….and you’re certainly in that category. Do with it what you’d like. : )

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    • I love your story! I’m also going for self-sufficiency, with words. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  24. The diverse nature of your experiences come out in your versatile written work. Looking forward to more, Brian!

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  25. free penny press said:

    Wow..looking at all the great comments I think you need a Blog agent…

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    • Hah! Well, write what you know and do it with passion, right? I’m actually working on growing my profile…

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  26. Hi Brian. I’m passing on the ABC award to you, and I linked to you in my post. 🙂

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    • Jeannette! Thanks!!! I’m actually not participating in peer awards anymore, NOTHing personal, but I’m so flattered! Sincerely, thank you.

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  27. ringfingertanline said:

    Hi there! Thanks for following my blog 🙂 Just wanted to drop a quick note and let you know that I have moved over to wordpress.org, so to continue receiving updates, you may have to sign up via email or RSS at http://ringfingertanline.com
    Confusing, I know… but worth it 😉

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  28. Jaen Wirefly said:

    Please let me know when World Domination follows. I’ll do a blog post on it.

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  29. I’m extremely envious of your midlife epiphany at 26 – At that age I was still having the life experiences that would eventually lead me to mine at the age of 38.

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  30. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for following. 🙂

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    • I’m digging your work! Looking forward to interacting over our pages, like neighbors over the fence. 😉

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      • I have found such an amazing community around my page. I truly see it as a community. And I’m so glad you’re part of it now, Paige. Welcome aboard.

        And that goes for ALL’A’Y’ALL, too!

  32. Hi Brian – Thanks for the follows, and for introducing me to your blog. I’ll be back to dive in more thoroughly later. Looks like great work.

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  33. I apreciate you following my blog. I look forward to reading more of your posts. I enjoy your short stories.

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  34. Hi there,

    To find your blog is a pleasure I have been indulging myself with. I have deep respect for you. Keep penning and keep inspiring, I am sure lots of readers have found your posts equally entertaining and enlightening!
    I have a joyful ride in your blog, and now I’d like to invite you to visit mine. Thank you and have a wonderful day, my friend! 🙂

    Subhan Zein

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    • Hey, thank you so much, Subhan! Great to have you here. I look forward to interacting over our pages.
      b

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    • Thanks, Dana! Nothing personal, but I’m not participating in peer awards anymore, but I’m honored. 😉

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  37. Dana said:

    Thanks for letting me know, I understand. They do take a lot of time from writing, especially when compiling all the information they request. I feel I’ve had enough now as well. I do appreciate your writing however, that was first and foremost.

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  39. Dana said:

    Hi Brian, I just wanted to thank you. I had not been able to revisit my grandmother’s house in my mind or writing until I read your piece on Strands of Memories. As you could probably tell from my response, I was overwhelmed with images and have now finally gotten them down on paper. I don’t like reading a lot of bloggers as I don’t want to be influenced usually but I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful writing and the inspiration you gave me.

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    • Dana, I don’t even know what to say. I’m so unspeakably touched by your comment. Because you did such an amazing beautiful job on your own piece about your grandmother, and if I even remotely helkped you to craft such a touching piece, I’m honored beyond belief. Thank you so much for allowing us to get to know her.

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      • Dana said:

        You just unlocked something in me and I really am so appreciative. Your writing is also inspirational because it is so good in general. Thanks for what you said about the post, it really means a lot coming from you!

    • Emma! Thank you so much! I’m actually not doing blog awards anymore (takes too much time away from writing!), but I’m honored. You = awesome.

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      • I’m happy you are pleased 🙂 And definitely much better to spend time writing too. Enjoy your Sunday! 🙂

  41. Nice to meet you Brian! Thanks for the follow. You’ve got a great blog and after reading some posts I just can’t wait for what might come next!

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  43. Terah, thanks. I’m actually not doing blog awards anymore (takes too much time away from writing!), but I’m honored.

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  44. Hi Brian,
    Thanks for visiting my blog. I like that you actually have a posting cycle. Takes a lot of discipline for that! I love reading your fiction, and I think you have a flair for it.
    I look forward to reading more 🙂

    Aparna

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    • Hey, thank YOU! I’ve actually just fallen into this posting cycle over the last few months, after a year and a half of floundering. So far so good!

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  45. So I am not the only one plotting on World Domination…. 🙂
    Following your blog right away.

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  46.  

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  47. At least you had your mid-life epiphany years before I did. Good luck! And thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate it.

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    • We’re works in progress. Good to have you along for the ride.

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  49. Marie Taylor said:

    Thanks for stopping by and the follow. As a wordsmith, the only real option you have now is world domination. Go for it! Marie 🙂

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    • We’re all in! Let’s go for it.

      Great to see you, thanks!

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  50. Hello Brian!
    Many thanks for ‘following’ my blog – I’m looking forward to getting to know yours, but in the meantime, here’s a little Award to introduce my ‘friends’ to your blog.

    My Passion? I Can Answer That One.


    No pressure to pay it forward, but the Awards do widen our bloggting circles.
    ciao
    m

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    • Hey, thanks. I’m not participating in peer awards, as it takes too much time away from writing, but I appreciate it.

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      • I know what you mean Brian – and a headache to boot! 🙂

  51. Congrats on following your bliss! That is wonderful. Cheers.

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      • Great to have you here, thanks! I’m going to have to raise my comedy game to keep up with you.

  52. Your stuff is really good! From what I’ve seen so far, anyway. Thanks for stopping by my site. I’ll definitely be back by yours!

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    • Vijay, I’m honored but as stated I’m not participating in peer awards. Takes too much time away from writing. Thanks and best…
      BW

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    • Aww, too sweet. Yeah, I’m re-tooling and revisiting. I’ll be back soon…somewhere.

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  55. Thanks Bryan. Pleased to have found your fascinating blog. Lots to explore! Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox (plugged in now).

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