Snapshots

— Spent the week in a dreary little motel on the Jersey Shore. Writing.

— I did not have one conversation all week.

— Home now. Crazy wind and rain storm outside right now.

— Hope is so glad to see me that I worry for her emotional stability.

— Mucho plans for the next couple months. Just saying “yes” to everything. More on this later, when plans become concrete.

— The last time I saw Lucy she was in Jean’s arms, laughing HYSTERICALLY, as Jean ran across the room. I wish I was in a position to see that sight every single day.

— I have favorite bands, favorite songs, all that – but if I had to pick an all-time favorite song it would be “Runaway”, by Del Shannon. I consider it to be a perfect song.

— Drowning in Tennessee Williams.

— Love my new laptop. I am so relieved and happy.

— Had a great time at Keith and Dan’s Oscar party with Rachel. And I finally got to meet the famous Self-Styled Siren!!! So fun! We all sat together, and quietly counteracted the testosterone in a humorous and supportive manner. It was so great to put a face to the name, to the exquisite writer that she is. Met a lot of nice people. Including Preston Miller and his lovely wife. I am so looking forward to Preston’s new film God’s Land (first look here), so I finally got to talk to him about it! Met a lot of people that I “know” by name only, from their film criticism. Fun!

— Loving the new Candybutchers album.

— Lots of great stuff going on out at BAM this month. Trying to go to as much as possible.

— DYING to read The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York. Frothing at the mouth.

— Going to see The Ghost Writer tomorrow. Can’t wait.

— Came home to a FedExed package from my cousin Mike. He is determined to keep me inspired. Tears in my eyes. He sent me the boxed set of all of the Paris Review Interviews, which is just the most perfect gift to give to me, I’m stunned, and then also Desperate Passage: The Donner Party’s Perilous Journey West, which, I suppose, is inspiration of another kind. Kind of “You think you have it bad? Thank your lucky stars you weren’t in the Donner Party.” hahaha No, but seriously: can’t wait to dig into all of these. So thoughtful. Cousin Mike, I love you.

— Speaking of cousin Mike, I’m kind of digging the Glee cast’s version of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab”. It really kicks. The original kicks, too – but it’s interesting to hear a whole chorus singing those words. It’s good.

— Working on a big post about Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker. Yeah. It’s time.