Tom Stasio
Bio
I have always wanted to write. Covid-19 caused me to be unemployed and with plenty of free time. I hope what I share is relatable and/or entertaining.
Stories (24)
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When a Chinese Hooded Rat Won My Heart
I rescued a rat. There was a time I had wanted a snake as a pet. I went out and found a young Boa Constrictor at a pet store. I brought him home and took the advice of the pet shop employee on how to care for the snake. That was a mistake. Had I purchased a care guide, I would have known it was better and safer for the animal and myself to use frozen rodents to feed the snake. Obviously, not while still frozen, but the best way was to avoid using live rodents. I did not realize this and believed the teen aged pet shop employee that feeding the snake live mice was best.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Petlife
Sweet Mia... Best Dog Ever
I bought my first house when I was 42 years old. I had moved for a job from Ohio to Georgia. I started in an apartment and decided it was time to invest in my own property. As soon as I found a house I thought I could call a home, I made an offer and signed a mortgage contract. I had a big yard behind the house. The next logical step, in my mind, was to get a dog.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Petlife
Luna, Luna Lou, Looney, Lunatic
I did not get my cat, Luna, from a rescue organization or shelter. I still consider her a rescue, however. She was part of a litter born to my ex-girlfriend’s feral cat. Technically, the mama was no longer feral since the ex brought her in from her previous apartment, but she displayed all the typical feral behaviors. She kept hidden and was distrustful of most humans. I was one of the humans she seemed to trust so she let me see her kittens and hold them. I’ve always been fond of cats. Except for two short spans of time in my life, I have always had a cat. When Luna came into my life, she ended the second span of several months without a cat. I had told Melissa (the ex-girlfriend) might be ready for another cat, but at the time I had a roommate with a cat allergy. I also wasn’t sure I was ready for another cat.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Petlife
The Hero of my Story Has Always Been Mom
My mom has always been honest with me. She always tried to explain things directly, but in an age appropriate manner. I was aware of the stork story, but I knew it was just a story. I knew it a young age. My memory of it was that I actually understood it as well. That is one example of my mother’s honesty. It did not always produce positive results, however, at least not in the moment and sometimes later that honesty would cause me some emotional struggles. This isn’t to say she was or is at fault for any of my mental health concerns. I do not see it that way. It has more to do with how I allowed myself to think or feel about her words.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Families
Pepe the Magnificent
Pepe was the first rescue kitten I had ever brought into my life. I suppose one could say all my cats were rescues, but until I found Pepe at an animal shelter, all my previous cats had been given to me by friends or acquaintances. He was also the first cat I chose to bring home when I already had a cat. Luna wasn’t yet a year old when I thought I should find her a playmate. I had a roommate at the time and she also had a cat, but hers was around 14 years old. Her cat’s name was Cat. There is a story behind this, but it isn’t mine to tell. Cat tolerated Luna. My roommate and I were glad they mostly got along, but Luna wanted to play and Cat wasn’t too keen to play with her. This sent me on a quest to find her a playmate.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Petlife
Learning to Live on
A son should know his father. This is a statement I have heard many times in my life. I’ve heard it and read it in fiction and it has been said to me as intended advice. Of course, any child should know their father. That first sentence doesn’t ignore this, instead it relates it to the person hearing the message. I’ve also heard it said that a daughter should know her father. I do think a better way to express it is to use the word child. Regardless, if it is possible and safe and healthy for a child to do so, they should know their father (and mother, of course). My perspective is as an only child, but I know that siblings can have very different images of their father. I cannot address that. I know it is true, but I have no direct experience.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Families
Excuses for Bigotry, Hate, Racism and the Misunderstanding White Privilege
I cannot speak for the marginalized. I cannot express how they feel or fully understand what they’ve experienced. My face is the same as those who would mistreat and oppress them. My face will be a question mark for those who don’t know me. I could be someone to hold his hand out to help lift them up or I could be someone who would step on their fingers, maybe even shove them, so that they fall back down. It isn’t the same as those who see black skin and assume they’re a criminal. It isn’t the same as those who assume Asians are submissive or spread disease or that they are enemies. It isn’t the same as those who look at anyone who doesn’t look like them as inferior… as things. It isn’t the same as those who see someone transgender and ignore that person’s true self or create an identity that isn’t real so they can excuse their hatred. It isn’t the same because so many have done so much to prove time and again that those stereotypes aren’t accurate. For those who look like me, however, there have been so many who have done so much to justify the fears from marginalized peoples.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in The Swamp
How I Use Mindfulness to Keep me Honest, Avoid Emotional Debates, and Search for Commonality
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind this is my personal journey and I try to explain how this works for me. I am not a mental health professional. I cannot offer professional advice. If you are struggling, I recommend you reach out to your doctor to find the appropriate treatment for yourself. If you’re not in therapy or haven’t consulted a doctor or therapist, this may be helpful, but you need a professional to guide you. I do see a therapist. I follow cognitive behavioral therapy. It works for me. It may not for you…
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Psyche
Overcoming Depression and Anxiety Through Sharing and Helping
I was, and still can be, a selfish person. I am an only child. I grew up rarely having to share things. I wasn’t given everything I wanted, but I rarely wanted for anything. I believe I was still a loving, compassionate kid, but I know I often put myself and my own desires ahead of anyone else’s. I also got bullied a lot because I didn’t like fighting back. I didn’t like the idea of hurting someone. I don’t know if that’s contradictory or not, but it feels like it was. I have changed and I am still changing.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Psyche
For Fans of Bad Movies So Terrible, They're Actually Good
The internet today is teeming with “if this, then that” type of articles. They come in a close second to the top “x” number of <insert random countdown topic here>. While I find nothing wrong with countdown articles, I enjoy the if/then pieces more. I find such articles give a better idea of what the writer is promoting. If done well, by the time you’ve read such an article you know if you want to view “that” by how you feel about “this”. The countdown articles or the “best way to view such and such” articles are opinions without context and often rely on the click next format meant to squeeze in more ads for better profits. I would liken them more to click bait. When a writer gives you an example of the sort of movie, music, television show, etc. that will be used as comparison, one knows almost instantly if they want to read further and should they finish the article and it is written well, they’ll know if the suggested medium is something for them. I can’t count how many times I’ve attempted to watch several movies from a list of “top 20 X of 2020” or “of all time” lists and didn’t care for many of the entries listed. I hope that helps clarify the approach I want to take with this suggestion.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Horror
The Gizmo That Worked
Jimmy Bartlett considered Dr. Davis’s words. He had doubts. It wasn’t that Jimmy had never heard the term “sleep apnea” before, but he was certain he did not have such a condition. He wasn’t obese. Sure had a few extra pounds, maybe 10 tops, but he wasn’t what he thought of as fat. He was sure only those who struggled with weight issues had sleep apnea. He never had trouble breathing, another condition that he had heard leads to sleep apnea. He wasn’t sure what to say and for a moment he didn’t think Dr. Davis was would say anything at all. So he just stared and tried to ignore how awkward he felt.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Psyche
Am I Walking the Path or Only Acknowledging That it Exists?
I have been struggling with anxiety filled days. It happens when I have been writing, but not publishing anything on the websites. It is prolonged when I see that the return isn't much at all. I know this is a path I chose and that I have yet to explore all avenues for writing income, but some days it is hard to be optimistic about it. Then I try to rush writing the book and I end up with pages of crap.
By Tom Stasio5 years ago in Motivation
