Look Who Came to Dinner

Why is Stephen King Writing about Mexico and the U.S. Financial Crisis?

15/9 and After

Blogging Leads to Bucks
The Anonymous Lawyer Jeremy Blachman gets this book deal from his blog detailing the nefarious dealings at a nefarious BigLaw firm in some big city. Christian Lander takes note of Stuff White People Like, and that lands him a book deal. And I’ve heard from good authority that there was a time when the guy didn’t even like being white. Julie Powell starts cooking and writes about her relationship with Julia Childs, who hated her when she found out. But that’s not important, since Julie got a book deal and a movie out of the concept. And another book dealing about butchering and having an affair. Then, shades of Walter Miller’s Home Page, Justin Halpern starts Twittering about ShitMyF

Secret Lives under the Volcano
Many ask me what life is like in Mexico. We move in slow motion amid Technicolored landscapes wearing bright-colored clothing while symphonies supply the background noise. Nature’s bounty hold us in constant rapture. We are a passionate people, you see. The rest of the time we simply engage in our national pastime of smiling. That is, when we’re not breaking into dance at the drop of a hat. And we do a sweeping curtsy before Jason Dormady’s Secret History: Reflections of Latin America for sharing the secret lives of Mexicans with the rest of the world. Technorati Tags: Mexico, Jason Dormady, Mexican tourism

Everyone Needs a Velvet Apron
As we sat over breakfast on the day before the Day of the Dead at La Surtidora, overlooking Patzcuaro’s Plaza Grande, I thought aloud “I get to wake up in Michoacán 365 days a year, and I’m thankful for that. Look at these tourists, the poor souls, who only get to do so a few days here and there.” Telling myself that I wasn’t going to buy any artesania this year, partly because I’ve collected enough and mostly because money is in short supply, in less than thirty minutes, I broke my pledge in the Ocumicho aisle where an embroidered velvet apron just had my name on it. Deploying my new routine of offering 60% of the asked price and just once, I let the fates decide whether it wo

The Right to Life Rages On
Mexico is at war with more than just the narcos. It’s not a real good idea for women in nearly half the country to become pregnant against their will. Technorati Tags: abortion, pregnancy termination, Mexico, right to life

Journey to Astoria A Lesson for the World
Last Sunday was a beautiful. No rain, moderate temperatures, and a sun shining benevolently down from the heavens. So, while I was first planning to go to my office to do some work, I decided instead to ride my bike, which I hadn’t ridden since coming to Astoria. My bike had sat in my apartment with two flat tires for weeks until I got these CO2 cartridges which filled them up in seconds. So I was ready to go, just waiting for the right day. Sunday was that day. Off I went down Ditmars Boulevard, with my helmet on and the wind in my face. I had gone about 6 blocks when one of those private car service cabs turned right in front of me, causing me to slam on my brakes and collide with the r