Category: Society / Culture

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On Poping, Hoping, and Voting for a Nun. Congratulations, Francis the First

13 March 2013

Today I watched the introduction of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope: Francis I. I’m not Catholic, but I married one. I’m not even religious. But I like goodness and good people. He does appear to be “good people.” He travels Argentina, taking public transportation and working directly with the poor. … More On Poping, Hoping, and Voting for a Nun. Congratulations, Francis the First

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A Post Because Poet Sean Thomas Dougherty Said He Wanted a Red Sox Hat

12 March 2013

I was tootling around on Facebook, stalking the pages of writers I admire, when I saw a post from poet Sean Thomas Dougherty that he would not be at AWP, and he joked about people picking him up some Boston swag, including a Red Sox hat. I like Sean, because he’s an incredible poet, and … More A Post Because Poet Sean Thomas Dougherty Said He Wanted a Red Sox Hat

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Writer Wednesday: Andrew Kaufman and a Signed Book Giveaway!

6 March 2013

Before this post is over, you’ll find out the winner of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and you’ll have the opportunity to enter to win a signed copy of Andrew Kaufman‘s While the Savage Sleeps! So read on, dear reader…if you dare. Because today I’m presenting you with writer Andrew Kaufman, author of psychological … More Writer Wednesday: Andrew Kaufman and a Signed Book Giveaway!

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On Trains. On Theroux.

5 March 2013

I’m giving you a parallel post today: a photoblog with captions describing the differences between this Viewliner train and the Superliners I usually ride to the west coast; and a text discussion of the merits of Paul Theroux, travel writer and train connoisseur. Consider this a “you pick” story. If you don’t have time or … More On Trains. On Theroux.

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Manuscript Monday: The Great Divorce

4 March 2013

“D. I. V. O. R. C. E.” Can you hear Tammy Wynette singing that country song in your head? As I work on this section of the manuscript about the death of my father, I’ve been considering the word “divorce”: both the divorce of my parents; and the book titled The Great Divorce, which is … More Manuscript Monday: The Great Divorce

Nothing is Certain but (Computer) Death and (Overdue) Taxes

2 March 2013

I’m blogging to you from the arse end of a crappy computer, and the exhausted end of “nervous prostration.” It was magnificent in its day: 285GB on the hard drive; a recovery drive with another 12. It was fully loaded with Acrobat Writer and the full version of Photoshop as well as all the latest … More Nothing is Certain but (Computer) Death and (Overdue) Taxes

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Flashback Friday March 1, 1913: Curing Drunkenness and Shooting Mexicans. WTF?

1 March 2013

What the Frak? I thought I might take a look at a hundred-year-old newspaper (today’s comes to you from the Charleroi Mail in Charleroi, Pennsylvania) and get a few ads about how women should be baking pies and gratefully (and solely) attending to mens’ needs, when my eyes caught sight of ignorance on a much … More Flashback Friday March 1, 1913: Curing Drunkenness and Shooting Mexicans. WTF?

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Writer Wednesday: Rebecca Skloot and a Signed Copy of her Hardcover Bestseller!

27 February 2013

I’m behind on my writer updates and giveaways, so I’ve decided to make it a regular Wednesday event for you. This week I’m giving away a signed copy of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by bestselling author, Rebecca Skloot. Win this signed book by seeing the contest details below (VERY EASY TO ENTER). I … More Writer Wednesday: Rebecca Skloot and a Signed Copy of her Hardcover Bestseller!

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Muscle Beach Marla?

23 February 2013

A humiliating but incredible time weight training at Muscle Beach yesterday, and I’m posting photos today as promised. But first I want to tell you where I am. I’m blogging to you right now from the business class section of a Boeing 777-200LR (I know, right? I’m trying not to pee all over this fancy … More Muscle Beach Marla?

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Wish Me Luck: Training at Muscle Beach

22 February 2013

Yikes! I have no idea what to expect from this morning. I’m headed out to meet a trainer at Muscle Beach. I thought this might be a nice idea for a blog, but the closer I get to my training time, the more I wonder, “What the hell was I thinking? Swarms of tourists pass … More Wish Me Luck: Training at Muscle Beach