The OrphanAge, Vol. 1.02

First Lines

“The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."
—William Gibson,  Neuromancer

…and the OrphanAGE does it again — another brilliant issue! An arts & culture one-two to get 2026 off on the right foot.

If you haven’t seen it yet, the OrphanAGE has a video call to arms circulating across the socials…check it out, and please re-post!

In this issue:

• First lines: From cyberpunk grandfather William Gibson
• Street Video Poetry by Mark Hamblin (it's elementary my dear Watsons...)
• Photography: Bug pics by Brandon Rondell
• Sports: NFL love from Danny Mac Stayton (Run! No, pass! No punt!..you can bet on it!)
• The Big Quiz: Answer three questions for this issue and get entered for our drawing. A year of free books at Prospero's Bookstore!

Peace,
Dante

Elementary Music

by Mark Hamblin

I teach Elementary Music to over 500 students a year. My name is Mr. Hamblin and this is...

“Poems to Be Read as Fast As Possible, No. 2”

[Presto or faster]

Aiden, Jaden, Braden, Caden,
Aidan, Jayden, Braiden, Kaden
Carson, Carter, Karson, Karter
Aiden, Jaden, Braden, Caden
Aidan, Jaden, Braden, Kaden
Carson, Carter, Karson, Karter

Ariana, Arianna, Aryana, Adriana [ah, air, ah, air, i.e. ah-riana, air-iana...]
Ariana, Arianna, Aryana, Adriana
Jalen, Kailen, Jaylin, Cailan
Aiden, Jaden, Braden, Caden
Aidin, Jaden, Braden, Kaden
Carson, Carter, Karson, Karter

Why don't you know who I am?
Guli, guli, guli guli,
Ram. Sam. Sam.

[Rubato]

“Nevaeh is heaven spelled backwards”, she tells me.
I remember when it used to be...

[Presto tempo]

Katelyn, Caitlyn, Kaitlen, Katelynn
Katelin, Caitlin, Kaitlyn, Keightlyn

But. right. now. it's
Jalen, Kailen, Jaylin, Cailan
Aiden, Jaden, Braden, Caden
Ariana, Arianna, Aryana, Adriana
Aiden, Jaden, Braden, Kaden
Carson, Carter, Karson, Karter
Amaya or Anaya? Jada or Jade?

My name is Presley, not Presley, Mr. Hamilton [press-ley, not prez-ley].
Why do you always forget?

This work © 2021 by Mark Hamblin is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Shootin' Bugs

by Brandon Rondell

Boo! scary, huh? 

Shootin' bugs (with a camera, of course) is a tricky proposition. At magnification, the smallest vibration can distort an image. So, even after careful preparation and set up, Brandon tends to switch off HVAC and the fridge, shoot at night when passing traffic is at its nadir.

Originally, I started as a photojournalist in East Africa. Following a stint shooting corporate headshots, I migrated to the wonder of the insect world. As an environmentalist I believe showing the beauty of these creatures helps create awareness about their significance. Each image is actually hundreds of images stitched together, up to 400 images. And the process takes 3-4 days to complete. You can find more on Instagram at wonderverse_macro. Cheers!

Oh Great, It's Playoff Season

by Danny Mac Stayton

God, I hate the NFL.

The “product” is garbage. You would be better off watching the slot machines in Vegas. Outside of taxes, traffic and politics, I can’t name anything that frustrates me more than believing that this is a fair and equal game.

“Any given Sunday, may the best team win.”

Shut the fuck up. I’ve been watching this league for 20 years. I know when something ain’t right. The truth is American football is no longer a sport. It’s a drain.

The NFL is no longer interested in sportsmanship, strategy, or craftsmanship. All they are worried about is the money in your wallet. While your eyes dart back and forth between the game on the television screen and the sportsbook on your smart phone, time is passing you by. You win big this weekend, only to lose bigger the next. You say it's only money and you can win it back, but what the game is really costing you is time, the most precious resource of them all.

Wake up! Sports betting is legal across the nation. These games are not determined by effort and will. They are determined by a huddle of suits in New York while a phone is ringing off the hook with a deranged bookie on the other side.

Don’t believe me? Rewatch the Ravens vs. Steelers in Week 13. The Ravens needed a touchdown to win the game and in the final minutes of the game, they got it. Isaiah Likely, tight end for the Ravens, caught a pass from Lamar Jackson, took one step in the end zone, then a second step, and was on the way to a third step when the defender punched the ball out of his hands. On the field, the ruling was a touchdown and it couldn’t be more obvious that it was.

But wait! There’s more! All touchdown plays are reviewable and this is no exception. For all the years I’ve spent watching this league, two feet in the end zone and control of the ball is a touchdown. I’ve watched Super Bowls be won by this play. We’ve coined the term “toe tap” for God’s sake!

But with God as my witness, I watched as the referee marched on the field after a long and intense phone call with suits in New York and told me and the thousands of viewers that Isaiah Likely needed a third foot down before it could be ruled a catch and a touchdown.

A third foot? A THIRD FOOT????

How many years have I spent playing, watching, and learning the rules of the game? How many times have I heard that “one foot down works in college but not in the pros”. The NFL spit in my eye with that ruling. If you are a true fan of the sport, then you should be outraged too.

But who am I kidding? The poster boy of the NFL (Tom Brady) is a man who gambled his wife and children for the chance to win more jewelry. Now, he sits alone in the owners box of the LAS VEGAS RAIDERS.

It’s never been more obvious that the game of American football has been compromised. The plays on the field have no effect on the outcome of the game. All that matters is the over/under and that is decided by Vegas.

If you're still watching the NFL, hoping that your team defeats the odds an pulls out the victory, there is nothing that is left to say. You've bought in on the fix.

Take the Big Quiz!

1. Where did Brandon first scratch his photojournalistic tendencies?
2. What is the secret meaning of the name "Nevaeh?"
3. What is the only thing that really matters in the NFL?

Until we automate this, just send you answers by email right here.

Good luck!