About the Book
"The elevator is a portal to the realm of death and humiliation."
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
Pushing Buttons: Unsettling Stories of Life's Ups and Downs is meant to evoke emotions about being a captive audience in a confined space, and is a product of the pandemic. Under lockdown, many of us sought purpose to avoid going stir-crazy. Believing that everyone has a story to tell, the authors of The MADPENS Project pushed the boundaries of creativity and collaboration. We crafted crowdsourced stories from our own lived experiences and audacious imaginations.
This work reflects the human condition, which can be beautiful, ridiculous, and terrifying all at once. Pushing Buttons illustrates how being trapped with someone -- or some thing --
in an enclosed space can lead to startling experiences. If you prefer fun and light stories, they are noted for you. Darker tales are identified as such. The characters confront absurd, funny, fantastical, violent, and heartbreaking situations, including an alien abduction and an epic mime fight. They are joined by a diverse cast, including LGBT+ individuals, supernatural beings, and, sadly, one racist grandma, among others. Reader Discretion is advised.
Pushing Buttons may captivate and engage readers on multiple levels. Some Easter eggs are in plain sight, and some are more subversive. We hope no one is too offended, especially by the comedic and political stories. The authors wrote the stories they wanted to write, and told the tales they wanted to tell. As a group, we are unapologetic about this.
The MADPENS writing collective honors you for choosing to spend time with us. You may invest hours of your life that you can't get back. We don't think it will come to that, but it might.
For pop culture detectives, the group has embedded over 700 references and Easter eggs within these pages. We hope to bring a smile to your face as discovery and recognition wash over you.
Did you hear the ding? The doors are about to open to other realms.
Will you enter for the ride of a lifetime -- or are you gonna run?
About the Author :
Rozerik Ross is a former international media executive turned Brainspotter, currently pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. His media career was in shaped in part by two key inspirations: David Hasselhoff, whose earnest portrayal of a beachside single dad on Baywatch resonated with Ross during his college years in Philadelphia, and the late Nikki McKibben, the inspiring single mom who rose to fame on American Idol. Having had the unique opportunity to work on both iconic series, Ross's career followed a creative and passionate path, eventually leading to his transition into the field of psychology.A true enthusiast of both animated and live-action media, Rozerik is passionate about anime, especially Initial D, and eagerly enjoys British sci-fi classics like Doctor Who and Blake's 7. The Lord of the Rings, however, never quite resonated with him. His deep love for fitness dates back to his time as a letter-winning coxswain on Temple University's crew team. Recently, he's elevated his physical and mental resilience by incorporating Wim Hof-inspired ice baths, indoor rowing, and boxing into his routine - an exhilarating complement to meditation and Flowdreaming. All in the pursuit of reducing stress, pushing his limits, and staying sharp.Rozerik's passions extend beyond media and fitness - he's also a fan of classic cars, sharp sarcasm, and the fine art of leaning on tables. Despite his often frustrated resting face, those who know him see the joy and vibrancy that fill his colorful world. Rozerik's blend of media expertise, lived experience, psychology education, and life coaching inspired Time Frame-Focused Wellness Strategies. This collaborative approach encourages clients to achieve success by integrating their past, present, and future through distinct lenses.At the heart of this philosophy is Mimemo - a powerful process combining mindset, meditation, and motivation, serving as a roadmap for success. This holistic approach has fueled the creation of Rozerik's life coaching programs, including "Spiritual Athletics," "The Phoenix Protocol," and "Flight School Academy" - all designed to inspire and empower clients to reach new heights and unlock their full potential.Ross also harbors a whimsical goal of being shot out of a cannon at the circus - an ambition he still hopes to realize while circuses still exist and his bones are not brittle. Besides these ventures, he enjoys collaborating with his writing group "The MADPENS," a union he plans to maintain in his future works.Following the passing of the family's beloved snail, Rozerik Ross now shares his life with his wife, daughter, and a menagerie of pets - including dogs, cats, fish, and bunnies.For collaboration inquiries or coaching opportunities, reach out to Rozerik at rozerikross.com.
