Over beyond the paywall, we’re in the middle of an epic discussion of Hemingway’s “Indian Camp.” Join us for some great talk about an escalatory masterpiece. Close-reading a story like this is a great way of calibrating one’s sense of pace and coming to a new understanding of what actually happens in a short story (how much, how quickly). We’re on an unusual and intense Wednesday/Sunday schedule, so no Office Hours question today…
Also wanted to let you know about this podcast, hosted by John Spong, called One by Willie, on which I had the honor of appearing - the episode dropped yesterday. Each episode, John talks with one Willie Nelson fan about one Willie song. We talk about my early (very early) exposure to Willie’s music and then we hone in on one song associated with Willie, namely the great “Pancho and Lefty”, written by Townes Van Zandt.
The podcast - an evolving national treasure/archive - lives more generally here. It starts with Willie and his work and goes…everywhere.
John has featured folks from the music world (Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett), but also Lawrence Wright, Brené Brown, and Ethan Hawke.
In other news, we made the trip across the country safely and are now in our new place. Guin is doing pretty well, with some ups and downs, and I am just getting my writing area set up, with lots of ambition (my reliable old pal) welling up. Always interesting to travel, see the world, come home and go, “Wait, what? I’m supposed to say something about all of that? But it’s so vast!”
But I will try.
I had the great honor of smoking a joint with Willie when I was a college photographer assigned to cover his concert. I show up early for such assignments and one of the roadies spotted me outside the venue. Incredibly, he invited me to have dinner with Willie and the boys on their tour bus. I didn't even pretend to be cool. After dinner and a joint, Willie took the stage, and I watched him make love to every person in the stadium for three hours. What a night!
Here's hoping you eventually make it back to los angeles--but that's selfish of me, i know. Glad to hear the writing area is being set up and that the old ambition has reliably raised its ambitious head. I picture a writing desk, a bookshelf, and a comfy doggy bed at your feet for Guin. We need photos! All best--