Birth Day, Death Day, Wedding Day *

Jul 12, 2007 | Travel

July Twelfth. Today in the year 100 BC, Julius Caesar was born. His mother, Aurelia, already had two daughters living. Their births were uncomplicated, but Caesar was trouble from the start. Still, both mother and son survived, though Aurelia had no more children...

XV – Music for Writing

Aug 13, 2006 | Books - Film & Television - Publishing - Travel

Ah, sweet, sweet music. Some writers like to sit in bustling cafes, smoking their cigarillos and drinking coffee and Bailey’s. Some sit outdoors, with the sounds of nature. Some lock themselves away from the smallest pin-drop. Some don’t care what noise surrounds...

Dispatches from Europe #13

Aug 11, 2006 | Theatre - Travel

Again from June, 2002. This is the last of our little dispatches from Italy. Dear All,It’s hot… hot hot hot. Yes, I know from the CNN weather reports that it’s hot in Chicago right now… and in Michigan… and basically all around the...

Dispatches from Europe #12

Aug 10, 2006 | Theatre - Travel

On our honeymoon back in 2002, Jan and I made a point of stopping into internet cafes and sending off these massively fun e-mails to a huge number of friends. Oh so originally, we entitled these, "Dispatches from Europe." Since I’ve been talking about...

The Count – pt. 4

Aug 9, 2006 | Travel

Continuing Jan’s account of our meeting with – The Count: At this point in the conversation, the Count switched gears and asked, “Would you like coffee?” He then stood, walked over to the door, and called “Marco!” out into the hall.  After a pause, he...

The Count – pt. 3

Aug 8, 2006 | Travel

Continuing Jan’s account of our meeting with – The Count: He lead us into a large paved in stones courtyard framed by the vineyard building we had just left, a large square barn-like building, a long, two-storied stone building, and the house. The...