Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
March 16, 2026

Opinion

Opinion pieces published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.

1,093 articles — page 32 of 37


Incarceration for Dummies by Tedi Trindle

Going to jail is for other people. Bad people. People with lots of tattoos who eat nails and do drugs. But have you ever wondered what it would be like if an average, well-behaved person like YOU went to jail? Tedi finds out.

GGGL: Plan to Change Your Life 02 by Writer Gypsy

Today, as you read this, you should have your lists in hand and know where you intend to begin making changes in your life. You're ready for steps two and three. Part II of II.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Lotion by Alexandra Queen

The first time leaving your baby and husband alone together while you go out of town is always tough for a new mother. But apparently, it's even tougher on Daddy and Lillian. They'll live through it, but just barely.

Las Vegas by Lydia Manx

Cover story.

GGGL: Plan to Change Your Life 01 by Writer Gypsy

<b>Gypsy's Guide to Good Living:</b> Setting yourself up for success isn't as difficult as you would think. In fact, it's a matter of executing three easy steps, then monitoring your progress. Part I of II.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Writers Online by Alexandra Queen

Writers are the most interesting people. With the advent of "instant messenger" technology, writers from all over can connect to network, share their progress and discuss Buddhist androids. Which is really important to their careers. Swear to God.

GGGL: Unconventional Courtship by Writer Gypsy

<b>Gypsy's Guide to Good Living:</b> My dream partner was described as "a little husky, loves to fish, wants someone to spoil and be spoiled by." Yes. I answered a personal ad.

GGGL: Follow the money by Writer Gypsy

Welcome to Gypsy's Guide to Good Living, a column devoted to some of the more practical aspects of being alive. This week, controlling your spending can be easier than you think.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Clothing by Alexandra Queen

When it comes to clothing, older is better. Well, maybe not better, but you just can't trust new clothing. Plus, as in the case of the dreaded Nipple Shirt, if it's gross enough, people won't bother you.

Guacamole by Wendy Robards

An overflowing bin of avocados at the grocery store is proof that summer has arrived, and there is arguably no better way to eat an avacado than in the perfect batch of guacamole.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Summer Movies by Alexandra Queen

The heck with a good book. This summer, let's set aside the time to watch some bad movies. From Kiera Knightly's flat chest to Halle Berry's enormous hat, there's sure to be something for everyone to make fun of.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Cheap Summer Travel by Alexandra Queen

It's not where you go that makes a good summer vacation, it's the PR spin you put on it. With a little creative marketing, you can convince yourself that any destination is a great one.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Galapagos TV by Alexandra Queen

The marriage of documentaries and reality television: sure, it might be dumbing down science a little bit, but who wouldn't want to watch Paris Hilton try to harvest live electric eels for scientific research? (BZZZZT! "Omigod, <i>owww</i>!!!")

Oort Cloud Oddities: The Horse Whisperer by Alexandra Queen

From the time he was a young boy, John Queen always had a certain way with horses. That's why they didn't like him.

A MUSING: Descartes by Bernie Pilarski

Bernie was being open-minded and out fell a, well, a <i>musing</i> about Descartes, soup, and the nature of life.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Nazgul Gardeners by Alexandra Queen

If your lawn mower or weed trimmer can't make a decent showing at a Nascar event, it's not good enough for this elite squad from the Dept. of Landscape Security.

Freedom by John Queen

Cover story

Recommended Summer Reading by Kellie Gillespie

Looking for something to read for the summer that has a compelling plot, engaging characters, and appeals to a "vacation mood"? Here's a list of novels that are just the thing for a good, summer pool read.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Peevil Knievel by Alexandra Queen

Peter Pan isn't the only one who never really grew up. From mis-reading books about space to using the bathroom as an arena for personal challenge and showmanship, some people - men, mostly - never change.

Dear Customer by Carol Ritz

If you've never worked retail, you've never been abused by total strangers in myriad thoughtless ways. Take a walk on the sales side. It might make you think twice the next time you venture into a store...

Oort Cloud Oddities: Body Image by Alexandra Queen

Crimes against nature used to be priced too high for anyone but criminal masterminds. Then came easy credit. Now, plastic surgery isn't just for Michael Jackson anymore.

Leavin' on a Jetplane by Kellie Gillespie

Packing for the trip can be a more harrowing adventure than any you experience while away from home. Does he really need four pairs of shoes? Does she really need 10 different books? Yes. Hell, yes.

Modern Times by Tedi Trindle

It's hard to be cutting edge when you've lost your digital knife sharpener. But when the chips are down, the silicon chips go in. Lost in the modern world, but with 24 hour access to Mapquest.

Oort Cloud Oddities: The Pickle Jar by Alexandra Queen

If you think the warning labels on cups of coffee are unnecessary, then you've lived a sheltered life around intelligent people. Meet the Face of Stupidity: he is Fourmyle, the family cat.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Ground Squirrels by Alexandra Queen

The ground squirrel instinct to dart out in right in front of the only car to have passed that way in weeks, also known as nature's recipe for road pizza, is a widespread phenomenon.

Attack of the Cicadas by Jon Renaut

The last time the cicadas were here, he was only nine years old. The next time the cicadas come, he'll be out of the country.

Oort Cloud Oddities: CAPTCHAs by Alexandra Queen

Can't tell if that's a loved one or an evil cyborg replica cooking you breakfast? You need a Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. There's several of them out there -- Gotta CAPTCHA'm all!

Oort Cloud Oddities: Zombie Infection by Alexandra Queen

A simple zombie infection simulation run on a computer sparks the Week of the Living Dead, sapping the brains and the will to live from one hapless couple.

At the Reference Desk: Baptism by Kellie Gillespie

A patron's request for an overview of the concept of Baptism leads to a journey through history, symbolism and personal experience.

Oort Cloud Oddities: Haiku War by Alexandra Queen

War is never pretty, but bad poetry is even worse. Based on the true story of a Piker Staff meeting.