Most of the years I knew Russ were spent hoping he’d remember who I was. We were introduced several times, first by a friend who was in town to see Ballad Hunter and took me. Russ was in the lobby, greeting a long line of people with his raised eyebrows and deep voice. A couple […]
Author Archives: MT
But is he a singer or a crooner?
As I drove home in the snow yesterday, a review of Bob Dylan’s new album on NPR reminded me that every evaluation of everything is contextual, including my opinion of the review. The road conditions were suddenly terrible, meaning I couldn’t make it to Russ’s house as planned, so maybe I was grumpy, making all kinds […]
Secrets of a Super Chill Thanksgiving
Here’s what I used to do, back when I was stupid. Troll the web for the best and yet easiest recipes for things like stuffing, sweet potatoes, and this year green bean casserole though we’ve never had that at Thanksgiving before. Apparently it’s a big deal, green bean casserole. But this year it’s my idea […]
How to not toot your own horn
“Hi, I had a book on hold?” “Ma’am, the hold books are out there now.” “I know. I just wondered if it might be back there.” “We had to move them, Ma’am. We do so many holds now, because of the Internet.” “Okay. It doesn’t matter.” “Can I help you, Ma’am?” “I think I just […]
10 Things Regarding the Prospect of Worms
1. No one has ever reported their escape. At least, not in the reviews. 2. The nicest kit is about $109 on Amazon. 3. They like to call them factories. I can’t decide whether that’s cuter or more disturbing. 4. There’s one for sale on Craigslist but we are agreed that if we’re actually going to do […]
Outrageous fortune
Yesterday Toots came over to watch “Lovejoy” but we ended up watching Slings & Arrows. The temperature in the room changed, as she said, when we learned she’d never seen it. Lovejoy is a fun thing to bond over—our mutual adoration of Ian MacShane, our affection for the Lovejoy world where everyone pretty much just cares about antiques, enough to kill […]
The Art of Dramatic Surprise
I’d thought the make-it-up-as-you-go drama was on stage at the Annoyance—two powerful performers improvising together. The way they connected and counterpointed. The way they pushed some things and let others go. The way things came back. It was beautiful and surprising in a way that scripted drama never can be. Afterward, I got to talk a […]
What not to say
In the afternoon we went to Home Depot, where Dave struggled against his recent overwhelming desire to buy more plants. “Let’s come up with a plan first,” I said, reminding him of his earlier plan to come up with a plan. By the time we got home with firewood and mulch and landscape bags, I […]
Feelings and stuff
I am the worst person I know. The worst one. Yesterday I sat in a packed church, at a funeral for a very kind man. Prayers were said, and I prayed along, and was careful not to cry because I hadn’t known him very long, but the whole time I sat there feeling grief but […]
One-minute rehearsal
Yes I felt kind of silly, going to the rehearsal of a one-minute play I’d written. But the director had invited all the playwrights in my clump. And when I showed up, an hour late thanks to getting sucked back into work after a month away, I was indeed the only playwright there. But the director […]