Feb
26
Radio Interview from September
I found an archive of an interview I did on XM's The Agenda last September. Nice interview.
Feb
26
GLYSDA Author Series - Tonight LGBT Center
Tonight (Thursday) at 8:30pm, I will be the featured author at GLYDSA (Gay and Lesbian Yeshiva Day School Alumni)'s February Author Series at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center at 208 West 13th Street in Manhattan.
Each year, the group invites an author to discuss a book of gay interest. I will be talking out OUT OF THE POCKET as well as my career trajectory, and I'll do a short reading.
If you want to come, great. Check at the front desk for room number. The donation is $3.
Each year, the group invites an author to discuss a book of gay interest. I will be talking out OUT OF THE POCKET as well as my career trajectory, and I'll do a short reading.
If you want to come, great. Check at the front desk for room number. The donation is $3.
Feb
25
Billings thoughts
Okay, so I'm back from Montana. The question is, could I live there?
Sure.
Would I enjoy living there?
Hard to say.
I didn't see tons of proof that I'd meet like-minded people there. But maybe I would. I mean, there is a gay community there, and I like straight people, too. Some of my best friends... :-)
It's very quiet. And I like quiet. It's very spacious. And I like spacious. It's also very remote. And what would I do when I needed to be around people?
That worries me.
Sure.
Would I enjoy living there?
Hard to say.
I didn't see tons of proof that I'd meet like-minded people there. But maybe I would. I mean, there is a gay community there, and I like straight people, too. Some of my best friends... :-)
It's very quiet. And I like quiet. It's very spacious. And I like spacious. It's also very remote. And what would I do when I needed to be around people?
That worries me.
Feb
19
Billings
This weekend, we're going to put the "Bill" in Billings and see how it fits.
For reasons I can't go into right now, we're checking out Billings as a possible place to live. It wouldn't have made my top 25, er, top 50, er, top 100 choices, but sometimes life is like that.
It's a bit scary, because Montana is one of the only states where I don't know a single person.
For reasons I can't go into right now, we're checking out Billings as a possible place to live. It wouldn't have made my top 25, er, top 50, er, top 100 choices, but sometimes life is like that.
It's a bit scary, because Montana is one of the only states where I don't know a single person.
Feb
16
Back from AWP
I'm back in New York after four days in Chicago, where I spent most of my time at the AWP (Association of Writing Programs and Writers) Conference.
A good time was had by all. I got to hang out with old friends from my days at Arizona State, where I got my MFA. Spending time with those people is like a booster shot for my writing, because it gets me back to thinking about craft.
I had lunch with a couple friends and my former mentor, the brilliant writer Ron Carlson on Friday.
A good time was had by all. I got to hang out with old friends from my days at Arizona State, where I got my MFA. Spending time with those people is like a booster shot for my writing, because it gets me back to thinking about craft.
I had lunch with a couple friends and my former mentor, the brilliant writer Ron Carlson on Friday.
Feb
14
TV appearance
Here I am on a cable TV appearance in Philadelphia this past fall. I have to say, it's hard for me to watch. I think as the tour went on I got a lot better at smiling and being outgoing, but what made me think that I ought to avoid facial expressions? I feel like I was so wooden. I also think it may be time to go on a diet. At least I come off as a nice guy.
Feb
13
Reading at The Wild Pug
We had a fun time last night at The Wild Pug in Chicago. I read with Drew Ferguson (The Screwed-Up Life of Charlie the Second) whose novel I reviewed here; Craig Seymour, whose memoir All I Could Bare chronicles his time as a stripper in Washington, DC; and poet Gregg Shapiro, whose newest collection is called Protection.
There was also an open mic, and a haiku-reciting bartender. A good time was had by all.
Drew is amazing. I really loved his novel and meeting him in person was a kick.
There was also an open mic, and a haiku-reciting bartender. A good time was had by all.
Drew is amazing. I really loved his novel and meeting him in person was a kick.
Feb
11
My Visit to Belmont Hill
I just got a couple photos from my keynote address at Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts.
I thought it was a great experience. I admit to being a little frightened, going to an all-boys school that is basically a sports powerhouse in the area. The head of diversity, Kai Bynum, told me that there was a mix of students, but that there were plenty of boys from very conservative backgrounds.
I spoke in the chapel, which has two levels.
I thought it was a great experience. I admit to being a little frightened, going to an all-boys school that is basically a sports powerhouse in the area. The head of diversity, Kai Bynum, told me that there was a mix of students, but that there were plenty of boys from very conservative backgrounds.
I spoke in the chapel, which has two levels.
Feb
10
It's Not
More later on my experience at Belmont Hill, which was terrific. I'm waiting for some photos of my keynote speech which I will post along with my thoughts about it.
For now, I just wanted to share a great song that just made me cry. "It's Not" by Aimee Mann is not a new song, but it's an extremely powerful one about addiction, and longing, and isolation.
I don't know why this song just had me crying exactly, but it just hit me so hard.
For now, I just wanted to share a great song that just made me cry. "It's Not" by Aimee Mann is not a new song, but it's an extremely powerful one about addiction, and longing, and isolation.
I don't know why this song just had me crying exactly, but it just hit me so hard.
Feb
8
An All-Boys School
Today I am off to Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts. For the first time, the school is addressing issues of homophobia by having a series of events this week, and I am the keynote speaker on Monday morning.
I'm thrilled to be going there and getting a chance to make a difference in a place where I'm needed: an all-boys school.
I went to an all-boys school from grades 3-8, and for me it was a very mixed bag.
I'm thrilled to be going there and getting a chance to make a difference in a place where I'm needed: an all-boys school.
I went to an all-boys school from grades 3-8, and for me it was a very mixed bag.
