They still have drinking fountains at the symphony. I went to see Bond and Beyond last night. As the name suggests, it’s music from the James Bond movies and some other spy sounding music they threw in. The Phoenix Symphony knows what they are doing and the woman singing was sensational. I think it’s the first time I’ve…
Restrooms are private, even in public. I was at Starbucks this morning and as I went to the bathroom, a woman was leaving. She held the door open and waited for me to enter. It was a full door hold. I was polite and said, “Thank you,” but it felt super strange. Why are you…
It is important to be descriptive. I work on my vocabulary. Not in a flash card sort of way, but I try to expand the way I express myself. This takes some effort because I want to stretch, but never go into territory that feels artificial. The words I use need to feel organic, so…
Artichokes are cool. They are like trilobites, well maybe not, because I’ve never eaten a trilobite. Artichokes are similar, that’s the word, to trilobites in that they are interesting to look at and their structure suggests they have been around forever. Both are primitive, complicated and yet simple. They each have a squishy center surrounded…
I feel like leather pants should be a controlled substance. They need to be behind a counter or a sliding glass window, not just out in the open for everyone to wear. I know it sounds mean and I’m sorry, well I’m not really sorry because this is factual information. There needs to be an…
I may have missed my chance to be rich and famous. Maggie came home tonight and informed me that if I just wrote books like the one she started reading today, I would be famous and rich and people would love me. Wow, I was a little taken aback by her enthusiasm, but Maggie doesn’t…
The blog has felt a little heavy lately. I mean with the emotions and the breathtaking men and…religion even. This weight happens every now and then. I usually break it up with videos, but even the videos have been all female, piano playing, sad and angsty. I feel the need for a lift, something light.…
Characters. When I write, it starts with the characters. Some writers are inspired by places, or objects, or scenes. I need the characters first. I have to know them, all their wonderful qualities, what makes them tick, how they’re damaged, and their quirks. Quirks are my favorite, I actually collect them. They make a character…
Above all else, I like quirky. Add intelligent to quirky and I’m a goner. I love John McIntrye. You may, or may not, know that he was the copy editor and is now a production manager for the Baltimore Sun. No, I do not live in Maryland, but he is a pretty big deal. Mr.…