Personal Musings
Though I love to make things up and be creative, sometimes I just want to write about my life, experiences, perceptions, travel blogs, and the like. This is a space to get to know me on a much more personal level.
This is also a space where my friends are free to write as well, when they have something to say!
Building Bridges with My Body
Part 3 of the Broken Body series: the breath and fitness techniques used to have a breakthrough with my body
The Best of All the Things in 2025!
Bear Wiseman’s best of media from 2025, including books, video games, live events, and music
Traversing the Invisible Gossamer Bridge, pt. III
Kathy Criswell returns to Finland yet again to share her support for Johanna Kurkela, this time for the band’s first-ever Finnish tour. This Part 3 covers the final leg of her journey to Vaasa and back to Helsinki, with the final show including a special appearance from Eye of Melian!
Traversing the Invisible Gossamer Bridge, pt. II
Kathy Criswell returns to Finland yet again to share her support for Johanna Kurkela, this time for the band’s first-ever Finnish tour. This Part 2 covers the trips through Tampere and Oulu, as well as some downtime in Helsinki and a casual visit to the boonies out near Tuusula.
Traversing the Invisible Gossamer Bridge
Kathy Criswell returns to Finland yet again to share her support for Johanna Kurkela, this time for the band’s first-ever Finnish tour. This Part 1 covers her arrival to Finland and trip to Röskö, the first two Auri shows ever, and listening to the release of “III - Candles & Beginnings” at midnight amongst friends.
It Takes Me Places
Auri have already proven to be a force of beauty and magic in this world, and now they’ve finally hit the stages of Finland. In this live report, Kathy Criswell tells of her experience seeing Auri at Tampere-talo on August 16th, 2025.
You Were a Great Liar, Kid… Not a Great Actor
After my adoptive son’s death, it was easy to believe he hated me and our final estrangement was the truth. But the deeper parts of me protested. This piece is a deep, messy, human excavation of what really happened: the fights, the near-reconciliation, the betrayal, the grief, and ultimately, the truth that never stopped living underneath. This is for anyone who’s lost someone during a hard chapter, and still wonders if it was real.
You Could Have Done Everything Right, But They Still Would Have Died
This is the second chapter in a series about love, loss, and learning to stop carrying the weight of someone else’s story. It’s heavy. It’s honest. And if you’re grieving, I hope you know there was probably nothing you could have done.
My Son Died Because of Me, And It Was Entirely Not My Fault
He was my bear cub. I was his mamabear. This is the story of how I loved someone too deeply for the world he came from, and how he died, not because I failed him, but because he couldn’t believe he deserved to be loved. A true story about grief, guilt, forgiveness, and the complex truth of losing someone to trauma and addiction. Thanks for reading.
Cry of Melian, International Edition
When music becomes the map, unforgettable adventures follow. Kathy Criswell recounts her latest journey from the US to Zwolle, Netherlands, to see ethereal fantasy act Eye of Melian in concert. Joined by international friends who share a love for Johanna Kurkela, this heartwarming travelogue captures the joy of connection, the beauty of Zwolle, and the power of music to bring people together across borders.
The Book of Balance Begins
In a world currently addicted to polarization, I’ve found one truth that comes up again and again: balance. Between identities, beliefs, opinions, and even grief and peace. This first chapter of Bear’s Book of Balance explores what it really means to hold two truths at once.
I Was in a Patriarchal Relationship with My Body (So No Wonder it Fucking Hates Me)
Part 2 of the Broken Body series: an honest yet painful reckoning with how patriarchy shaped my relationship with my physical self.
My Broken Body & How Western Medicine Failed Me Completely
Part 1 of the Broken Body Series: From negligence after whiplash through a few years as a CrossFit athlete, and landing in spinal spasms, my physical health journey explores just how little Western medicine really gets us and why it failed me completely.
There and Back Again (pt.4)
The fourth and final installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 19th-21st, 2025
The Jersey Shore & Beyond (pt.3)
The third installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 18th, 2025
Atlantic City Bay-bee! (pt.2)
The second installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 17th, 2025
Coming to America! (pt.1)
The first installment of my travel blog from my week in the USA, covering January 14-16th, 2025
How to Be a Respectful Fan When Meeting Your Heroes
So, you’re finally meeting that artist who changed your life—amazing! This guide covers how to be a respectful fan, make the most of the moment, and not ruin it (for anyone).
Happiness Is Only Real When Shared
A guest travel blog from Vantaa, Turku, Tampere, Lappeenranta, and Helsinki from Kathy Criswell
