Author: jfigy

“We have too much light to see the night sky in Indiana,” the question-raiser started. About two hours after Neil deGrasse Tyson’s lecture at the University of Indianapolis began, Tyson opened up the floor for questions. “So I was wondering how you see stars in New York?” “Oh,” said the director of the Hayden Planetarium … Continue reading This Just In: Neil deGrasse Tyson at UIndy

Ici— _____where you are meant to sink _____far below bumbling bustles of bees _____bumping into every body, which drone _____wins this day's drip of honey, chérie? dans la fleuve, _____filling in around, covering you _____busy bourgeoisie, leave him alone— _____he feels the weight of stones, sinking, _____which is only a waterlogged coat en bas, _____the … Continue reading Boudu [before being] Sauvé des Eaux

The picture I wish I took Bright, floral frescoes decorated the walls of the Mexican restaurant and the margarita-laden tables, too. Mariachi music emoted over the speakers. I stepped in with my fiancé in tow, and saw my guest, Zak Mitiche, already sitting in the booth. His loose, black prayer robe looked somewhat out of … Continue reading Zak Mitiche: American, Muslim

The fellowship hall at my grandparents’ church is like most others, too bright walls, rectangular fluorescent lights, carpet with disorienting patterns designed to hide spills and stains. I unknowingly sit down next to the pastor, and he asked for my connection—who I am, why I deserve to be at Jim and Hazel Figy’s 65th anniversary … Continue reading For grandma and grandpa Figy on their anniversary

We had barely left, making our way to Denver International Airport, leaving Colorado, when Sally pointed to the left and said, “That’s Erie,” the town where The Dog Stars takes place. She said, “They have airstrips instead of driveways.” Then we had a debate—thanks to Amy, I mean Dr. Sekhar—about how they go to the … Continue reading On post-apocalyptic Colorado and survival odds (for the Allens)

Update for 2022: In 2014, I wrote an article for Angie's List Magazine about prefabricated homes. In putting together this blog, I wanted to pass on some history that didn't make the final cut. However, at this time, eight years after doing the research, I don't really consider myself an expert on this topic, and … Continue reading Why mass-produced National Homes are interesting (to me)

Fifteen hundred people buried alive, & I stood over their bodies through five feet of displaced earth, judging— no, measuring—by how high soil crept up still standing buildings, hiding doorknobs on el hospitalito. I can’t say the things they needed to live were what killed them, only their method of acquiring; I heard about the … Continue reading Santiago Atitlàn, Guatemala, 2005