There was an outside world, and that was itself a refreshing and reassuring bit of news. I parked up the hill, just 100 m or so, turned my wheelchair downhill and waited for the redoubtable 36 Muni. It was not so much the existence, as the worthwhileness of the outside world that vanished along about 3:30 AM when I awoke to being shot. Nothing like a little nocturnal stroll down memory lane. Somehow, I had convinced myself that getting back to sleep was possible. And I really tried to believe this Read more [...]

In this month’s Sun Magazine the main article (always a feature interview) focuses on a guy at the UC Berkeley Psych Department who focuses on awe. As an awesome. And all the attendant emotions, such as enchantment, bedazzlement, curiosity and humility. Who can argue with the theme, right? And since these are the Days of Awe, Yom Kippur being the last of them, it’s damned appropriate, right? And I was thinking this, of course, on the 49 Muni bus headed to services this very morning. And, Read more [...]

Just in case you’re wondering about yesterday’s POTUS matinee at the Berkeley Rep, well aren’t you in luck. First of all, I came in peace. More than that, in the spirit of generous and shared enjoyment. Because, Gentle Reader, it really was a delight to see the house full, the attendees eager, laughter bursting on all sides and, doubtless for most in attendance, not a dry seat in the house. And I did share in the laughter. Not as frequently as almost everyone else. But frequently enough. Selina Read more [...]

You see, I really blame capitalism itself. In this particular instance, voice recognition technology for writers, it is the system that has failed. Yes, competition is a splendid thing. And there has been quite a bit of the latter in this field. And where has it gotten us?  ”Us” being disabled writers. The technology has advanced splendidly. The market narrowly. Oh, it’s a boring story, but I seem to be specializing in boring stories these days. So bear with me, if you wish, or don’t Read more [...]

I tell people that I believe in the Urban Project. And this is true enough. It is true enough for me to eternally delight in San Francisco. And, in fact, that delight has geographically expanded. It has had to. Enjoying the center of town is quite difficult. In fact, the very concept of center has shifted. Banking. High-tech corporate headquarters. Those things that used to center our center, well, they just aren’t there anymore. They aren’t there anymore than the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange. Read more [...]

Spoiler alert. I am about to vent about a very first-world problem. Which is a way of saying that this “problem” is shared by absolutely minuscule numbers of persons around the world. Although, truth be told, we are an extremely vocal minority. Writers mouth off and kvetch like no oppressed minority ever has. So, if you have something better to do, like sort out your sock drawer, you might want to move on. OK? I warned you. I can’t find a publisher. I have done, or think I have done, all Read more [...]