Natchez Bluff
A Grindr date abruptly goes awry during a short roadtrip to the lad’s hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, resulting in the lad speeding off in his vehicle alone, leaving Mike in a hotel parking lot near the Mississippi River in an unfamiliar area with nearly no money, accommodations, or friends. Welcome to Natchez, y’all!
Underbelly of the Bridge
Mike seeks refuge from the rain beneath the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge spanning the Mississippi River.
Crossing the Mississippi
After spending 2 years in Louisiana for his last utility/engineering job, Mike finally manages to return to the proper side of the Mississippi River to discover the cute little town of Natchez, sitting atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
Stroll in Alexandria
In this first-person POV of downtown Alexandria, Louisiana, Mike marvels at some of the small towns and unexpected places that have made efforts at better connecting their communities with transit and other pedestrian-oriented measures.
The Great American Circle Jerk
Mike marvels at the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) corporation for its unmatched ability to profit from drumming up conflict and division among young Americans.
Stroll down Masonic Drive
During his first week living the streets of Alexandria, Mike bemoans the lack of consideration for pedestrians and non-motorists in the design and construction of roadways throughout American cities.
Final Day of Crimson House
Mike reflects on his impending eviction, characterizing his time there as a stagnant state of limbo, and highlighting the spectacular failure of his nonprofit initiative.
Reflections on Home, Family & Belonging
Mike reflects on his personal experiences during the holiday season, reminiscing on his mother, a Taiwanese immigrant adapting to American life in Steubenville, Ohio. He praises Steubenville for accepting his mother and recognizing her strength.
Final Soiree
Mike kicks back with his new friend Robert and throws an impromptu soiree to commemorate the final days of Crimson House Alexandria, as his eviction date draws ominously near…
On Stage in the Carport
Mike prepares for a performance in his carport with WANDA, a musical baton recently invented to accompany and assist with his commutes on foot.
State Change
Mike provides a candid update while preparing to move out of Crimson House in Alexandria, during which he considers hosting a "RENT"-themed eviction party for himself. He notes the peculiar physics of water as it freezes and thaws, a concept unfamiliar to his Louisiana neighbors but known all too well by those in the Midwest during the winter.
Rent Coming Due
Mike struggles to raise the funds needed to save Crimson House Alexandria from imminent closure, to prevent from being evicted from his home in Louisiana.
Back to Basics
Mike reflects on the dangers of domestic terrorism targeting electrical infrastructure, explaining the vulnerability of power substations. Pivoting to the subject of addiction and recovery, he describes his father's sobriety as a source of inspiration. revealing his ambition to launch a transformative camping retreat that would aim to subtly guide participants through healing experiences to aid in overcoming undesired addictions.
Before Sunrise
In this "After Dark" episode during the wee morning hours before sunrise, Mike reflects on his Asian/Caucasian heritage, his childhood love of board games, and the irony of digital data persistence. He speaks frankly about the financial pressures he's facing, delivering a prayer regarding rent and groceries.
A Tribute to My Dad’s Recovery
Mike expresses admiration to his father for his incredible feat of willpower in sustaining over 20 years of sobriety. He contrasts his earlier "rockstar life" of heavy drug use with the disciplined, clean lifestyle he maintained while raising a son, highlighting that he quit everything — from heroin to cigarettes — cold turkey without the help of medication or patches.
No Good Deed
Having reach his wit's end, Mike vents some of his burnout and profound frustration, brooding in the cruel irony of facing imminent eviction, following his unsuccessful efforts to help house and support others through his nonprofit Crimson Rouge Studios. He defends his altruistic initiatives, reflecting candidly on the emotional and financial toll of trying to spark something in the face of community indifference, seeing it as a symptom of a systemic ill of pettiness and lack of gratitude nationally.
How My Hometown Has Changed
Mike expresses his deep concern for the political shift in his home state of Ohio, attributing it partly to demographic changes linked to the shale gas boom and an exodus of college-bound graduates away to coastal cities.