Hustler of Culture
Right before I left Derek’s house this afternoon, he said “Here’s to better things in 2002.” It reminded me of a song that always sets me off, with promise, on my way. This one’s for Derek and everyone who is looking into the morning of this year with hope.
“I know you’ve got a lot of good things happening up ahead.
The past is gone, it’s all been said.
So here’s to what the future brings.
I know tomorrow you’ll find better things.”
Socialized my little tuchas off today: Suzan and I spent most of the afternoon at the stunning Cole Valley home of Derek Powazek and Heather Champ. Ate some yummy bagels, finally met Mr. Ben Brown after several months of emailing and alternated holding their two little Chihuahuas up to my nose. Then made a quick stop at the South Beach home of Susan, a new friend and colleague who has graciously voluntereed to introduce me to Andy Ross, the owner of Cody’s Books in Berkeley. Mr. Ross and I talked publishing, books and decided to get together in the new future and discuss working together.
2002 is off to a roaring start.
My entry for the mayfly project (a 20-word summary of my 2001) is as follows:
“Got fired, hired myself, got serious with someone. And with myself. Made it out. Will play on.”
Thoughts are afloat to redesign this stupid thing and make it an honest to god blog. Not that it isn’t now but I’d like to narrow the design to content ratio some.
More in 2002. Happy New Year everyone.
It’s the last morning of 2001. I’m spending a low-key evening at a potluck dinner which is just fine with me. I’ve had perhaps the most manic year of my life.
I’m home. Now I need a vacation from my vacation.
I’m leaving tomorrow, will be back on the 30th. Ya’ll come back now, y’hear?
The New York Times reported yesterday that, after a slide throughout the 90s, murder rates are up in several US cities with Boston, Pheonix and Chicago topping the list. Reasons given are economic decline, Sept. 11 anxiety and the general cycical nature of crime. Panic and fear, of course, remains alarmingly high, as it did in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary throughout the last decade. One statistic I read reported that in 1996, citizens of suburban Milwaulkee had roughly the same amount of fear of falling victim to a violent crime as citizens of inner city Washington D.C. even though there is a 25-fold difference between the two.
After completing the Central Booking Year in Review this afternoon, I’ve finished work for 2001. Hallelujah.
The Central Booking Book Club has choosen Birds of America, the short story collection by Lorrie Moore as its December selection. John Updike has called Lorrie Moore one of the finest short story writers in America. Won’t you join us?