Accentuate the Positive?

I have just finished a hugely enjoyable book by the brilliant and very funny Barbara Ehrenreich.  It’s called Bright-Sided, and is a much-needed puncturing of the “positive thinking” epidemic that has been slowly creeping over all elements of American society.  With a wonderfully deft touch, Ehrenreich neatly skewers several juicy targets who have come to rely on vacuous optimistic mantras and …

A Luddite Writes. And Reads.

On Saturday I said goodbye to my 30s.  I had a great day.  Chelsea lost, and Arsenal won.  I had a nap in the afternoon.  In the evening my parents cooked the most delicious dinner I can remember.  Really, it doesn’t get much better than that. I received some great presents, too.  Some very fancy cufflinks, my favorite candy from …

Unfair Competition

Excitement is building at our house.  My parents are arriving on Saturday for a two and a half week visit.  It’s been over a year since they were last here and we can’t wait to see them again. My sister Bridget lives with her family in Moraga, a town across the Bay from San Francisco, and what tends to happen …

Woke Up This Morning

I’m pretty sure Tony Soprano was no jazz fan, but even he would have enjoyed this version of his theme song, from the debut CD of Taylor Eigsti.  Eigsti is an interesting player, who has been lumbered with the “prodigy” soubriquet for years, but seems to be wearing it well.  As with many first outings, he’s trying to cover a lot …

Who Dat? Excuse me, but would you mind talking in English?

So, woo-hoo, yeah, go Saints.  Or rather, geaux Saints.  Whatever.  Knowing even less about pro football than I do about college football, the Superbowl is pretty meaningless to this Englishman, but I always enjoy rooting for the underdogs.  It helps when one of your best friends is an avid New Orleans fan.  For all that I can appreciate the spectacle …

Now What?

I’ve spent the last two weeks polishing the manuscript of THE SONGS OF OUR FATHERS and yesterday sent it off to Bruce the Agent, who is still reading. Final polishing is a curious exercise.  On one level it’s very satisfying.  All my little tweaks should (in theory) make the manuscript a little better, and that obviously feels worthwhile.  On another …

A Writer’s Life in 83 words, by Philip Roth

My father just sent me this, from Philip Roth’s The Ghost Writer: “I turn sentences around.  That’s my life.  I write a sentence and then I turn it around.  Then I look at it and turn it around again.  Then I have lunch.  Then I come back and write another sentence. Then I have tea and turn the new sentence …

Don’t Talk. (Listen.)

After posting this video of Stefano Bollani earlier this week, I was reminded of this gem off his first solo piano album with ECM, which is titled, appropriately enough, Piano Solo. I’m not aware of the Beach Boys getting too many jazz treatments, but given the complexities and richness of much of Brian Wilson’s work, I’m now wondering why not. …