WriteRunRead Blog

I love what technology can do - mostly.  It enables me to write and read virtually anything in the world, with just the touch of a screen.  I can watch movies and listen to music and escape with the Internet at my fingertips. And yet, upon looking around my kitchen, all I see are chargers and blackberries and iPods and laptops.  It's disturbing, truly.  How did all this metal and plastic and batteries pile up?  Gradually, for sure, but nonetheless, it's all here.  We're connected.  I feel the technology zapping through the air in my house.  Someone mentioned to me recently that all of this "wifi" floating around the airwaves is not good for your brain.  When will we witness the ramifications, the "side-effects?" Ironically, while we don't really know how and to what extent the digital delivery of information and music and other such entertainment will affect us, we're happily tossing it at our children, without a second thought.  Sch...

I was driving the other day and trying to get out of a parking lot and onto a busy road.  Traffic was heavy with frenzied shoppers filled with holiday spirit.  Not one car would slow down to let me in (or out).  I figured everyone was in a hurry, in a big rush to meet their deadlines and that sort of thing. Finally, traffic slowed as the cars were reaching a red stoplight.  I thought, "Hey, this is my chance, somebody will let me in now, since all of these drivers are soon to reach a red light."  My car was clearly sticking out of the lot, trying patiently to get into the road.  But no one slowed down. Then a car approached and when it got near me and saw that I was waiting, the driver sped up quickly (to the red light) so that I wouldn't get the wrong idea: he was not letting me in, no way! Well, as it happened, I was able to pull into the road right after this not-so-courteous driver.  And guess what his bumper sticker said: "Keep Christ In C...

My parents decided to skip Christmas in New York this year.  They have a home in Florida, where the climate is milder and the pace is mellower.  They can golf, see their friends, play cards, swim -- you get the picture.  So they left yesterday.  That's it. Several months ago they informed my sisters and me of their plan to leave on December 14th for the entire winter season.  Eleven days before Christmas.  While we were never the most religious family, we did observe the big holidays and celebrated in a big way.  Growing up, Christmas eve was always the most memorable night of the year.  We'd have family and friends and fish for dinner.  It was fantastic.  I still hold it as one of the highlights of my childhood. So I was very sad when I learned that they were leaving.  Before.  What about the grandchildren, the festivities, the wine and the being together?  It took me some time, but I've finally come to accept it...

What should your title be when you are not sure where the words are going to take you?  Do you keep writing without a title?  Does the sun shine without knowing whether she'll warm anyone up? I guess you keep writing.  Any writer knows that.  Keep writing.  Keep going, on and on.  Whether or not someone will read it.  It's so great when you read someone's work and it's good...  There's nothing like it.  You read something great, sit in wonder, and then wonder, "Wow, can I ever do that?  Or, if you don't write, you might wonder, "Will I ever read something like that again?" I've been doing that.  Wondering.  Reading and wondering.  Not writing so much.  But I should. It doesn't matter if anyone will ever read it, writing is the process, the art, the end product.