A Few Thoughts on Wall Street Plunges in History
Historically, point drops in Dow Jones Industrial Average are hard to compare. In pure numbers, we’ve had the four biggest point drops in history over the last month, with the biggest happening today, a drop of 2,997 points. But they haven’t been as...
Nellie Bly — What Becomes of Babies?
The New York WorldNovember 6, 1887Hundreds and Hundreds of Little Ones Given Away YearlyNot the Petted Darlings of the Rich, but the Infants Born to Shame—These Are the Ones that Are Given into Alien Hands—Regular Traffic in New-Born Babes—A Money-Making...
Groundhog Day: We’re all Phil Conners now
Every day feels the same now.I try to schedule it, and sometimes I get something accomplished, though not as much as I’d hoped. Instead, like clockwork, I find myself in front of a screen, watching or reading or listening to more awfulness, and sharing it....
Recent Posts
Brief Hiatus
As I'm in rehearsal for King Lear at the Goodman, my time is understandably limited. With a four month-old son at home, and another theatre company's shows to choreograph and direct, I have even less time to post. I'm planning a whole long series on the play of...
XVI – Chapter Titles
If you’ve been following the chapters I’ve posted, you’ve noticed that each chapter has had a title. No more. Michael wrote me last night, praising the current edit. But his closing words were these: MY ONLY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO LOSE THE CHAPTER TITLES, THEY'RE ......
XV – Music for Writing
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...
Chapter 3 – The Prince’s Near Allies pt. 3
The Abbot of San Zeno was about to continue the argument, but the Capitano had evidently heard enough. Canting his head to one side, he addressed his fool. “This talk of poetry has put me in the mind to hear some. Come, rascal, entertain us briefly before we dine.”...
Dispatches from Europe #13
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 States... but, I've got to...
Dispatches from Europe #12
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 our...
The Count – pt. 4
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 called...
The Count – pt. 3
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 house. A...
The Count – pt. 2
I’ve asked Jan to tell the story of our meeting with the Count. She recalls it a little differently than I do, and probably much better. Remember, this is the woman who sacrificed a week of her honeymoon to wander with me around Verona, hunting up this house or this...
Chapter 3 – The Prince’s Near Allies pt. 2
Sunlight spilled in through billowing curtains to frame the lord of Verona and his honored guests in the arched loggia. The open side of the long covered balcony faced east, providing a magnificent view of the Adige River. It was not, however, the view one first...
