The #SantaMonicaReview is one of three publications helmed by the brilliant Andrew Tonkovich, not to mention his radio show “Bibliocracy.” An earlier version of this essay appeared in the Community of Writers’ newsletter, the Omnium Gatherum Quarterly. ogquarterly.org/issue18/#tan...

Proud to make my first appearance in the pages of the Santa Monica Review. My essay, “Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein,” explores the work of one of the great urban historians of our time. Norman has many unusual insights on how, why, & when our Great Unraveling began.

The script was everything I wished 2023’s disappointing biopic of Bernstein could’ve been. Inspired to learn more about #ElizabethWeiland & read “Shy”—memoirs of Richard Roger’s’ daughter, #MaryRogers. And more Andrew Scott as Richard Rogers please! Sequel? Like “Before Sunset” but “After Hart.” 2/2

We just saw #BlueMoon about Lorenzo Hart at the #MVFF. Loved it. Felt like an erudite stage play & had to que up Joni Mitchell’s version of “Wish I Were in Love Again” from 2000. Didn’t care for the camera tricks to make Ethan Hawke appear 4’ 10” — his ACTING was fine. 1/2

For me, the news of Griffin's passing sends me back to her 1992 book, "A Chorus of Stones," and Rosner's newest, "Third Ear." Meanwhile, here's my profile of their 2017 conversation, which which remains (sadly) timely and relevant. end/ alumni.berkeley.edu/california-m...

To find inspiration these days, I would suggest returning to both Griffin and Rosner's books which in so many ways knew what was coming, understood the stakes, and proposed spiritually grounded responses to it all. 3/of several

This event was occasioned by Counterpoint Press' reissue of Griffin's book "Women and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her." Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us. 2/of several

Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas. 1/of several

Strange time to be traveling. In Bologna for the annual #CinemaRitrovato film festival of restored gems of world cinema. So, we are time-traveling as well. Thinking abt what has been lost, deliberately left behind, or worth saving. Plus, #KatherineHeburn gems curated by author/critic #MollyHaskell!

Proud to be making my second appearance in the #communityofwriters quarterly, this time with a tribute to author Norman M. Klein. (See "Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein") ogquarterly.org Check it out! #historyofforgettng #booksky #booklover #losangeleshistory

The 80-year recipe stoking America’s Prosperity: 1) Free-market capital investments in brilliant ideas… 2) enabled by Engineering Innovations… 3) based on Science Research in Universities… 4) funded by Grants from the US Government. It’s time more people understood this.

Why would I need to read Joan Didion's "Notes to John" when I'm already listening to the audio version of Lili Anolik's "Didion and Babitz"? And just, wow, I am loving Anolik's heartfelt, gossipy, well-researched portrait of Eve Babitz. I love Didion, too, always have. But Babitz is the revelation.

Celebrate the power of place this May for #PreservationMonth with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more about this year’s theme, Harnessing the Power of Place, and the countless ways that preservation creates. savingplaces.org/stories/pres...

I’m a little early. #AWP25

I already bought more books than I can carry home and #AWP25 hasn’t even officially started. On the other hand, my friend took me to North Figueroa Bookstore - what was I supposed to do? Wait till we went to Skylight Books? The Last Bookstore? AWP’s mammoth Bookfair? C’mon. Be real. #booksky

Heading to Los Angeles for #AWP25 and listening to the audio version of Didion & Babitz about women, literature, and the storied LA scene of the 60s and 70s. It’s narrated by the author Lili Anolik, who voices this memoir/deeply researched hybrid. An era this hometown girl always finds fascinating.

Took my first class from "Five Things I Learned" w/ poet Matthew Zapruder. Channeling imagination --> production is always a stretch. But now? Much harder. Grateful that M.Z. shared ways to "touch your novel (poem, etc) every day & keep our creative lights on." myfivethings.com/class/metthe...

Thanks, @tomandlorenzo.bsky.social! I've much to say about dogs, music, theater, books, history. I'll start with this pandemic-era photo of YOUR BOOK. It was a Xmas present to fellow board members of Rainbow Honor Walk. We all loved your seriously rich scholarship wrapped in a package of fabulous.

Yeah, this is not a supply chain that can survive getting gouged 25% every time a part crosses a border.

To make yourself less valuable to Meta, @lastweektonight.com recommends EFF's Privacy Badger extension and Surveillance Self-Defense guide to disable mobile ad tracking on your phone: www.johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com

Saw @hughryan.bsky.social's photos of today's demo at Stonewall/NPS Historic Site in NYC. I was there June '24 for Pride Month. Thought I'd re-up some photos. Don't mess with historians. This material, like us L-G-B-T-Q people, is EVERYWHERE. No one can erase our history. More details in alt text.

HAPPENING NOW: AIDS ADVOCATES ARE OUTSIDE THE US STATE DEPARTMENT TO PROTEST TRUMP AND RUBIOS FREEZE ON AID AND ATTACKS ON PEPFAR IMPACTING 20 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV WORLDWIDE.

When I was a Hill staffer in 2009, a Dem trifecta was trying to pass universal healthcare. In response, Senate GOP released a memo detailing all of the tactics they in the minority could use to delay the effort as much as possible. I'm recirculating that 2009 GOP memo here. Take inspiration from it.

A good summary. open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

➡️ January 20: FAA director fired ➡️ January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen ➡️ January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded ➡️ January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees ➡️ January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years Making America Great Again!

Do you wonder why you haven’t heard much about this massive TB outbreak recently? Cuz the CDC can’t hold any press conferences or issue public statements of any kind. abcnews.go.com/Health/kansa...

Hi that was a coup last night in case no one mentioned that to you. The executive branch seized the power of the purse the Constitution gave to Congress, which is a pretty authoritarian / illegal consolidation of powers move. Time to go yell at your reps, the media, etc.

1984 / 2025

From today’s NYT: “Biden…commuted the life sentence for Leonard Peltier, the Native American activist convicted of killing two F.B.I. agents in 1975 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota….Peltier, who is 80 years old…[will] serve the remainder of his time in home confinement.”

Did your child lose their book collection in the Los Angeles fires? Are you a teacher at a school that lost its library or your classroom library? Whether you need one book or a whole library, we can replace your books. 📚 Everyone else, please boost this post so we can connect with those in need. 🙏

I just realized that we were (and still are) enduring three US presidential elections at once: 2016, 2020 and 2024 all at the same time.

Jimmy Carter’s lost second term in 1980 put us firmly on the bad road leading to the recent election — and so many other awful policy decisions made by the Reagan and Bush I and II administrations. See also: www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/caps...

The state department’s online portal to renew your US passport is FAST!! They promise 6 to 8 weeks, but we got ours back in 2 (two!!) freakin’ weeks. Government works when staffed with competent, sane people.

Me facing 2025.

Vaccines are why 1 of every 4 of us didn't die in infancy. Fluoride is why most of us keep our teeth into old age. The ACA is why 21 million of us can see a doctor. The FDIC is why we don't lose our life savings. And a handful of GOP billionaires want to take it all away.

I wish I had more photos but really, we spent most of our time at the hospital’s CCU on the fourth floor.

One spot that remains outside time is Cafe Nouveau. Here, bouncers admit people into the bungalow’s cozy dining room single file. Classic French advertising posters line the walls. Romy Schneider or Jeanne Moreau do lunch while their agents finalize deals in nearby LA. A thick fog discolors the air.

Ventura (not the highway, but the town) is where Earl Stanley Gardner wrote the Perry Mason novels. He set his first 1933 novel in the Pierpont Hotel which we thought might have a touch of noir. It’s a little down at the heels, although pleasantly close to the water where locals walk their dogs.

As John Lennon sang, life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. This week we’ve been in Ventura/Ojai to support a family member in the hospital. Good news is that he is moving onwards to rehab tomorrow! Nighttime is ours for exploring. It’s an interesting town.

As we finished our meeting, we all wondered how the project would resonate (or not?) next year. My colleagues inspired me. They shared how people are already asking about past generations of activists to learn what they faced and how they fought and sometimes triumphed. So, onwards into 2025. /end

Far better use of time would be to watch the 1984 doc “The Life and Times of Harvey Milk” *and* keep your eye out for 2024’s doc “Sally!” about the indomitable lesbian-feminist activist of the 1970s. Our part of the plaza restoration project is called “Widening History’s Lens.” /3

In 1985, the LGBTQ gathering spot at the corner of Castro and Market was officially dedicated to Harvey Milk. In 2024, Gilbert Baker’s original rainbow flag earned landmark status and protection. Don’t get me started on how much history Sean Penn’s 2008 biopic of Milk ignores. 2/

Just finished a Zoom mtg w/board members working on @harveymilkplaza.org It’s about planning the community outreach part of revamping the Castro/Muni subway stop. One bright spot of the election—SF passed Prop B, so there is $25 million to revamp the plaza & subway. The corner is rich in history. /1

See you next time, Colorado! Always great to visit family and friends here.

Rabbit footprints!

Snow! Perfect setting for cooking pies and other Thanksgiving treats. Later on, binging S2’s “Bad Sisters” with my good sister and, best of all, my wife.

Airport, cold brew coffee, Muzak, gray skies. We forgot our headphones. Overall, this Tuesday morning is fine. Mild, even. Waiting to start Thanksgiving holiday!