
J. R. Lowe
Bio
By day, I'm a PhD student, by night.... I'm still a PhD student, but sometimes I procrastinate by writing on Vocal. Based in Brisbane, Australia.
Stories (107/0)
A Mother's Day Gift: an Apology, a Confession, and a Thank You
It's that special time of year again when we celebrate motherhood. I didn't send you anything this year - neither of us have ever been invested in material things - so I hope that's ok. Instead, I've decided to gift you something else this year: an apology, a confession, and a thank you.
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Confessions
The Introduction (Blobachops)
Author's Note: It's that time of year again when poets band together and surf their keyboards to pay homage to that little thing called love. But unfortunately, every year, too many poets seem to confuse the broader term of 'love' with added connotations of lust and desire, and we seemingly forget that love is distinctly different to these relatively myopic words. It's so much more than that.
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Poets
- Top Story - February 2022
Vocal Memes for Established Creators (Part II)Top Story - February 2022
After having a bit of a rough patch last year I decided to release my list of Vocal Memes for Established Creators to try and lift the mood, and I have to say, it was relatively successful. My decision to do so was largely inspired by my life motto which goes something like:
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Humor
I Am the King of Petty
I have a confession to make. I'm petty. Very. Some might call pettiness a bad habit, but I see it more as a trait I've developed over the years in order to survive. Don't get me wrong, I'm actually a very tolerant and patient person, but there's only so many times you can be a blatantly ignorant ******** before I start getting petty. There are a lot of irritating people in everyday life, and you have the opportunity to simply walk away and avoid them most of the time. Unfortunately though, that's not always possible, especially when you live with them.
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Confessions
Dear Grandma
Dear Grandma, It's been almost ten years now since I've seen you in the flesh. Almost ten years exactly. I'm not that scruffy 14-year-old boy who used to run barefoot around the orchard anymore, and I no longer sport a golden mullet which could almost measure up to Steve Irwin himself. But don't worry, I still remember the lessons you taught me over the years when I was younger, whether intentionally or not. They're part of who I am now.
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Families
Be Kinder to Yourself
One of the biggest challenges in my life (and, most likely, for many others), is finding ways to be nicer to myself. Being too hard on yourself can make every minor setback or mistake seem infinitely worse than it actually is, and after a while, it can feel like you really do deserve the negativity and discrimination that you experience in your day-to-day life. To make matters worse, chronic self-deprecation is a sure-fire way to become a negative, bitter, and overall less inclusive person.
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Motivation
Belong
It didn’t belong here, that much was certain, but then again, neither did I. Not that it wasn’t welcome aboard the boat, everyone seemed to enjoy its presence despite the grim situation, but it was unusual to see a barn owl this far out at sea. It was perched at the edge of the half-rusted standing shelter, just a few feet ahead of me, watching over the crowd of swaying heads and the weary expressions of all ninety-nine refugees.
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Fiction
This Year I'm Fixing My Circadian Rhythm
It's that time of year again when we all start writing lists of things we need to change about ourselves while lounging around on the sofa regretting those extra three serves of Christmas lunch we spontaneously consumed days before. That's right, I'm talking about New Year's Resolutions *shudder*. Last year I wrote down a few resolutions for myself on Vocal. Did I achieve them? Yes, well, kind of...
By J. R. Lowe2 years ago in Motivation