CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

There’s That

September 11, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

This column first appeared in April 2011. A man walked past me as I sat at a table outside of my local pub. I glanced up from my reading and caught his eye. He smiled and said, “Kind of a nice day for that.” “It’s a great day for that,” … Read More

The Use of Language

September 4, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

A commercial that interrupted the TV program I was watching featured a woman’s undergarment — specifically, a brassiere (commonly known as a “bra”). As the actor showed the audience the benefits of the garment, she used the term “comfortability.” I immediately dove for my big, fat Oxford English Dictionary and … Read More

Poetic Allusions

August 28, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

In 1981 I was a 34-year-old student at Indiana University Southeast, exploring art and literature. A counselor suggested that, based on the number of English courses that I was taking, I should declare that as my major. I did, and all these years later, I still have many of the … Read More

2025 Fringe Reviews

August 21, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

Two of the offerings from the 2025 Indy Fringe Festival will be available again at the end of this week. See “13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview,” presented by Carmel Indiana’s University High School. This lively play has two college recruiters interviewing high school seniors to fill the … Read More

Everyday Awareness

August 21, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

“I meant to tell you,” said the woman standing next to me at the bar, “that I like your pool case.” The bar was Si Greene’s, and I was there to play pool. On that day, in addition to the pink pool case that I carry, I was also wearing … Read More