Tony Martello
Bio
Join an author like no other on various tales that entertain, philosophies that inspire, and lessons that transform us. He is inspired by nature, the ocean, and funny social interactions. He is the author of Flat Spell Tales and much more.
Stories (34/0)
Weasel Reef
Taylor and Johnny-Boy gaze out at the glass and sip on hot coffee as beautiful barrels roll across the reef. The two surfers in the line-up surge up, down, and over the swells that draw waves from the deep Pacific to the triangular reef naturally formed under their boards. They wax up their boards in anticipation of capturing a few of mother ocean's jade gems of joy, delivering to the coast's sneakiest of all reefs, where finicky shelves of shacks are meant to house the chosen few that can ride this place. This is where unicorns are caught, treasure is discovered, and waves are ridden.
By Tony Martelloabout 15 hours ago in Wander
Interpersonal Skills & Groups
As this class comes to a close, I reflect back on the lessons I have learned about interpersonal dynamics and my own growth as an aspiring counselor. To begin, I reviewed my SEA assignment, my journals, my dyad practices, and our ELGs to evaluate where my turning point was in getting the gist of this course. In week 5, the class reflection and dyad assignment were similar in that both demonstrated that I had a few strengths and a few weaknesses to reflect on. During my dyad practice with EC, and while reviewing my interpersonal goals and SEA’s (1-4) in class, I realized my strengths were: inspiring others, providing empathy, and goal setting. I also identified a few weaknesses: not using enough silence to allow time for thought, not enough effective/active listening, and finding more empathy during my interpersonal interactions with others. I am sure this analysis applied to both inside and outside of the classroom. I believed it was a fairly accurate indicator of how my real life was lived interpersonally and socially, so I asked my wife for her feedback and she agreed that I need to work on more silence, active listening, and more presence. My wife was a solid reference to use because she knew me outside of the classroom.
By Tony Martello8 days ago in Education
Sidelined Youth
While taking a class on trauma in children, my professor said more than once, “there is no hierarchy for trauma.” This accepted truth applies to both physical and psychological abuse. This research paper will focus more on an unexpected form of psychological abuse-the emotional neglect of children among the privileged.
By Tony Martello8 days ago in Families
Jade Cove
First published in October Hill Magazine, spring, 2022 The cold-water stabs at Rico, penetrating his bones. Wind chops, bites, and claws at his face. The unfamiliar coastline of the Pacific digs out the survival in him. As he floats south with the currents, he drifts back to himself as a child of 12, treading the same trail every day to Don Hilario's vineyard. Back then, he found his endurance by listening to the melody of the ocean, but today, a much louder drum beat down on him:
By Tony Martello15 days ago in Fiction
Around the Wall
First published in Atherton Review, April 2021 “Hugo, what’s that on your face?” asks Daniel as he looks a little closer. Hugo sits upon the canvas bag he was sleeping on last night. Paz reaches over and peels the piece of rough fabric off his cheek. “Wow!” she responds. “You have a tattoo of this miserable place right on your cheek.” A small grid remains imprinted on his cheek. “It may be miserable, but it kept us alive another night,” Daniel proclaims so the rest can hear.
By Tony Martello16 days ago in Fiction
By Land or Sea?
The couple lands at the Kona International Airport. Taylor has a plan to propose to his girlfriend of eight months. He knows he must take her to the hottest place on earth where neither lover has been before. This one is not like his first wife who hounded him daily for leaving shoes in the entryway and pressured him to climb the corporate ladder to no avail.
By Tony Martello16 days ago in Wander