Once the late Sinclair Lewis arrived in Harvard, drunk as usual (alcoholism is our main occupational disease), to talk about writing. “Hands up, all those who want to be writers!” he yelled. Everyone’s hand went up. “Then why the hell aren’t you at home writing?” he asked, and staggered off the platform.
I wish someone would write about all the gorgeous and fancy cigarette cases Linda Porter gave to her husband, Cole, upon the openings of his many shows on Broadway. I think there’s 20 of them, made by Verdura, each one more beautiful and jewel-encrusted than the last. Granted, I’m not a writer(although I am writing this), I still think it’s a brilliant brilliant idea and not at all niche.
Or you could write about how hard it is to clean the stupid house during the most recent and ongoing time of few friend visits. Or socks, write about how hard it is to write about socks, which are beyond dull and my least favorite piece of clothing, despite all efforts otherwise by Jimmy Buffet and amusing Dads in general, et al.
You have my permission to use all these brilliant brilliant ideas. Looking forward to it!
With the inspiration/instruction I received from that video, I believe I've found that my purpose will be to micro a bit of last night's vodka penne...
Donuts. L.A. donuts. Write about the Cambodian mafia that owns all donut shops and controls the ingestion of every donut in L.A. county. Bonus: you can do "research" by eating a few.
This is so good. It reminds me that whenever I read a list I think, "that poor sucker's got nothing left in the tank." Maybe write a list of the 10 best birds?
That is a very good idea actually. Did you see the Anselm Keifer show in L.A. at the former Masonic temple on WIlshire? Wait...I dont know if you are even in L.A. Well, anyway it was mind blowingly inspiring. Now HE would make a good column for YOU (i think?) .
This is about as cool as I have felt in years. Just being asked the question. But no, I don't live in LA. I live in Kansas City.
I was actually in the neighborhood last month. A friend asked me to drive a car out to his son "in LA." It was lovely drive, but I ended up spending 48 hours in Orange County. Which was 2 hours from my friend "in LA" who I had hoped to see.
And we didn't see any art. Or Barbie conventions. But my friend who I drove out with had one of his friends from a small Kansan town come over for a visit. He was working at a restaurant and being an uber driver trying to get acting jobs. He had done a couple reality TV things. And had found a lane as an extra in crime recreation productions for Court TV or whatever. And he was neurotic and pretty annoying. Having spent 15 years in NYC he was absolutely everything I wanted him to be. He was trying to write some stuff, but I believe he was stuck. I should send him this helpful video.
I am in search of a medium to put me in touch with Tolstoy, so that his spirit might help me write a
500 page analysis of whether your video re How You Decide What To Write is the ultimate delight of the night, or instead your reply to Cynthia Carle's comment. There will also be a thirty page footnote re my reactions to your Rat Story. But then it occurred to me that I like French cuisine far more than Russian and since there might be some olfactory transmissions from the "other side" (which broaches the subject of whether departed Russian authors have Russian cuisine in the afterworld and French have French, etc. and of course that begs the question of whether a dog destined to decline in his/her/their next incarnation down to the human level has dog food or human food in the interworld), but in any case I began to wonder if I shouldn't seek out Proust instead of Tolstoy.
In brief, my point is, your posts have given me so much to think about, and aside from the rats, I proffer my sincerest thank you for getting my next writing project going and should you have time to edit the 500 pages......
Before you bring any spirits back from beyond, first check to make sure there is more than one person in any world who will agree to start to read a 500 page analysis of anything any more.
“America’s most consistently adorable nihilist”
This is my new favorite comment since L.A. magazine called me "the most disturbing lifestyle reporter to hit the tube in some time." Thank you!
I wanted this to help me and it didn't at all
Go get something to eat.
Those donuts did look pretty nice....
https://nevalalee.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/why-the-hell-arent-you-at-home-writing/
Once the late Sinclair Lewis arrived in Harvard, drunk as usual (alcoholism is our main occupational disease), to talk about writing. “Hands up, all those who want to be writers!” he yelled. Everyone’s hand went up. “Then why the hell aren’t you at home writing?” he asked, and staggered off the platform.
Haaa. Sounds like a lovely evening for all who attended.
Merrill please, I have so much to do and I just keep watching this over and over again.
You are the funniest.
Thank you DMJH. I believe that must be how I convinced you to be my friend!!
That video was hilarious.
I wish someone would write about all the gorgeous and fancy cigarette cases Linda Porter gave to her husband, Cole, upon the openings of his many shows on Broadway. I think there’s 20 of them, made by Verdura, each one more beautiful and jewel-encrusted than the last. Granted, I’m not a writer(although I am writing this), I still think it’s a brilliant brilliant idea and not at all niche.
Or you could write about how hard it is to clean the stupid house during the most recent and ongoing time of few friend visits. Or socks, write about how hard it is to write about socks, which are beyond dull and my least favorite piece of clothing, despite all efforts otherwise by Jimmy Buffet and amusing Dads in general, et al.
You have my permission to use all these brilliant brilliant ideas. Looking forward to it!
I am in favor of you writing all of these pieces. Sign me up!
With the inspiration/instruction I received from that video, I believe I've found that my purpose will be to micro a bit of last night's vodka penne...
way to go!! Now THAT'S writing!
Donuts. L.A. donuts. Write about the Cambodian mafia that owns all donut shops and controls the ingestion of every donut in L.A. county. Bonus: you can do "research" by eating a few.
Is that true? The Cambodian mafia controls donuts?
There’s a documentary about Cambodians and the LA donut biz. It’s called The Donut King.
But it's there a book? 🤔
Not sure
It's not a real organized crime mafia but it's real. All the donut shops were Cambodian when I lived there from 92 to 07.
Fast forward to Decide what to Eat
Haaaa. And yes! Exactly. Often a more difficult decision than deciding what to write.
Birds. You’re good with birds.
Haaa. That's IT!!
Even the NYT is egging you on... https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/21/science/bird-calls-songs-quiz.html?unlocked_article_code=UgxwqTuW74CMkunyusMNO1DwhFJ9-5f9a4PgzPuR0ciymdbpsZCDgrXvsDuJchxjvWdTa3OpB7tKGXa9pOfqYNvHLaEF0gR6epMa3Lsg3KbaCsY-sBmfIgmK1gq4LEQC0nJ1boXNqhinz3y3aIGFrFep3zhRn3IuDgTNY-3RY-qtYx6NxniaTyogbj1xQ3xhAbHlzl762MFDoAG9jHRLX3PjY-GnB7g3YeFACtvjWPhRvS9mGA0Pehe3JipdQhJ3NBqCq8DGcvjcVicxeAN67nnw3sqGwfOc4u-dReksep2liateN0c4pfVimkEnIzo_qUibXVt1t4xIe3IF0byRwExdZ37qYK6LFFj0BzAClA&smid=url-share
And caterpillars!
As always, MM, TOO... FREAKING.... FUNNY (and true omg). --PP
“If I get something to eat I could write something,” is always a good fallback. Something to drink, something to snack, etc. I love this one.
This is so good. It reminds me that whenever I read a list I think, "that poor sucker's got nothing left in the tank." Maybe write a list of the 10 best birds?
That is a very good idea actually. Did you see the Anselm Keifer show in L.A. at the former Masonic temple on WIlshire? Wait...I dont know if you are even in L.A. Well, anyway it was mind blowingly inspiring. Now HE would make a good column for YOU (i think?) .
This is about as cool as I have felt in years. Just being asked the question. But no, I don't live in LA. I live in Kansas City.
I was actually in the neighborhood last month. A friend asked me to drive a car out to his son "in LA." It was lovely drive, but I ended up spending 48 hours in Orange County. Which was 2 hours from my friend "in LA" who I had hoped to see.
And we didn't see any art. Or Barbie conventions. But my friend who I drove out with had one of his friends from a small Kansan town come over for a visit. He was working at a restaurant and being an uber driver trying to get acting jobs. He had done a couple reality TV things. And had found a lane as an extra in crime recreation productions for Court TV or whatever. And he was neurotic and pretty annoying. Having spent 15 years in NYC he was absolutely everything I wanted him to be. He was trying to write some stuff, but I believe he was stuck. I should send him this helpful video.
i must go do some research now.
Still looking. Not writing.
I am in search of a medium to put me in touch with Tolstoy, so that his spirit might help me write a
500 page analysis of whether your video re How You Decide What To Write is the ultimate delight of the night, or instead your reply to Cynthia Carle's comment. There will also be a thirty page footnote re my reactions to your Rat Story. But then it occurred to me that I like French cuisine far more than Russian and since there might be some olfactory transmissions from the "other side" (which broaches the subject of whether departed Russian authors have Russian cuisine in the afterworld and French have French, etc. and of course that begs the question of whether a dog destined to decline in his/her/their next incarnation down to the human level has dog food or human food in the interworld), but in any case I began to wonder if I shouldn't seek out Proust instead of Tolstoy.
In brief, my point is, your posts have given me so much to think about, and aside from the rats, I proffer my sincerest thank you for getting my next writing project going and should you have time to edit the 500 pages......
Before you bring any spirits back from beyond, first check to make sure there is more than one person in any world who will agree to start to read a 500 page analysis of anything any more.