Published in Curious·PinnedHow to Be SurprisedStay open to the wonders of the world — According to George Saunders, a work of art “has to surprise its audience, which it can do only if it has legitimately surprised its creator.” When I read that, I realized I’m not creating art. Not by a long shot. I spend heaps of time bound up, worried, self-flagellating, fighting…Magic7 min read
Jun 8HappyHow George Saunders calmed me down — I wrote a short story this afternoon, for a new writing group I’ve joined, and I think I like it. And that’s saying a lot. I don’t know if I’ve ever liked a short story I’ve written. Oh, there have been parts. A sentence, a description, a turn of phrase…Writing4 min read
Jun 1Il Sorpasso and Beemster CheeseOn a late spring evening in Oakland, CA — I’m attacking this Beemster cheese with these water crackers that must be used before they go stale, alas. That is my excuse for continuing to deliver these morsels to my open mouth like an automaton. Can’t let the crackers go stale, can we now? It doesn’t hurt that this Il…Cocktail2 min read
May 31My first gorditaLife in California: Birdsong, flea markets, melty cheese, and chile — My neighbor Claudia says that every spring, the blue jays and the mockingbirds duke it out. They can’t both occupy the same slice of neighborhood, so some summers we have blue jays and some, mockingbirds. …Mexican Food4 min read
Apr 14Consuming vs. ProducingIf you’re an artist, focus on the latter — I’ve been gorging myself on content. It’s easy to do. How many times have we heard we need to read if we want to be writers? Am I right? But, it’s also lazy. It’s certainly easier to read another book review or New Yorker short story than it is to…Writing4 min read
Apr 13Mehmet’s presenceVictor left this earth on the last day of June last year. He was alone, or no, not alone. …Death3 min read
Mar 30That sick smellChuck was late, which was okay. I was bracing myself as it was. I found a seat at the bar. Covid had eased, things were opening up. I was shoulder to shoulder with someone on my right. A young bearded bartender with a belly approached. I ordered a mezcal cocktail. …Fiction2 min read
Mar 30PromisesPromises, promises. Is that the same as commitment? If so, this is a word that instills terror. It’s a word that hangs over one like Damocles Blade. This is because, hell, they are so hard to keep. I’m not talking about the little ones, like promising to join my neighbor…Fiction2 min read
Feb 10Trash-Can DreamThe tragedy of René Robert and our appalling apathy — Yesterday, the New York Times reported the death of René Robert on the streets of Paris. This beloved photographer famous for sensitive portraits of Flamenco artists was found near-dead of hypothermia after lying for an entire night on a busy street in Paris, totally ignored by passerby who apparently wrote…Compassion5 min read
Jan 31Cappuccino in a cup, with a spoonWhy is my coffee wet dream so hard to find in this country? — Hello. I have a gripe. It’s been gnawing at me for a while, and was intensified by my recent visit to Rome, Italy, where everywhere you order a cappuccino, it arrives in an attractive ceramic cup on a saucer, with a spoon alongside. The gripe, first and foremost, is as…Food5 min read
