Long Time No Write.

Midlife Mixtape Concert Review: Dave ... Divine Vinyl

Long Time No Write.

Hi.

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks around here. So much so that every time I sat down to write a blog post I’d make a noise like this – “uuuuuggghhhwhoooooooo”—and then just rub my temples for a while. The back- to-school brouhaha, combined with a few other events, accomplished what my older brother and sister wished for so, so many times in the ‘70s: the power to make me shut up. I’ll be back soon, if only to bug my siblings. But in the meantime wanted to share a few things with you:

1.) I finished another revision my midlife crisis memoir. It’s in the final editing stages, which are the worst. That’s when you sit and stare at a twelve word sentence for a half an hour, then move it three paragraphs up, then six paragraphs back, then fiddle with its verb, all the while asking yourself “Why did I include this sentence at all?” Then you delete it. Then you restore it. Then you check Facebook. Then you curse yourself for not staying on task.

Repeat, for 76,000 words.

As enticing as I’ve just made the book sound, it really is coming together. So over time and as there is publication news to report, I’d love to keep you in the loop – but I don’t want to turn this blog into all book, all the time news. So if you’re interested in hearing when there’s book news worth sharing, please consider adding your email to my Book Lover List here. http://eepurl.com/C1H1n. I promise I’ll use it judiciously!

2.) I’ll be reading next Friday, Sept. 19 at The Basement Series in San Francisco, held in the Sports Basement at 1590 Bryant Street at 7 pm. This reading event is a fundraiser for Scholar Match and the LitCamp scholarship fund – free entry and free beer, but donations gratefully accepted at the door. With the Basement Series, two established authors choose five emerging writers from submissions, and the audience gets to hear all seven stories. When the call for submissions went out in July and the topic was “Music is Cheaper Than Therapy,” I’d submitted almost before I finished reading the email.

I was thrilled when the two established authors – esteemed music journalist Ben Fong-Torres and Leonard Cohen biographer Sylvie Simmons – chose me from the slush pile. So much so that I bought two copies of Sylvie’s book. I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen to have her sign; one for me and one for you, maybe? I’m going to give away a copy to a Midlife Mixtape reader and see if I can get Sylvie to sign it next Friday. If you’re interested in entering, just leave a comment below and tell me: what song is your therapy? I’ll use Random.org to pick a winner on Sept 19 so I know who to have it signed for!

3.) The next “I Have to Work Tomorrow” Early Bird ‘80s Dance party is approaching! Join us Thursday, November 6 starting at 7 pm for some dance-tastic ‘80s music at the Cat Club in SF. There’s a FB invite here if you’d like to RSVP and share with your friends – but everyone is welcome, no RSVP needed. Hoping to line up a surprise or two for Midlife Mixtape subscribers, so stay tuned…you can read here about the last one if you need some encouragement.

Ok. Off to rub my temples some more. This is the only song I’m listening to this week: my cousin’s kid Kate playing her bass like a boss.