"no one liked it when the cousins came up for air."

My sister and I had a conversation about dandyism and underground drug farms. It left me with a half-baked story idea that I may or may not end up working on because I am the laziest when it comes to doing research for stories.

"oh, Margot," said the tape recorder

I'm working on a new short story. It's a little bit ridiculous. 

A trick I've discovered: when bored with your own turns of phrase, particularly when you're as prone to lollygagging sentences as I am, it helps to draw a picture and write the words on the picture in as attractive a fashion as possible. Seeing them as actual objects on the paper makes me reconsider all those extra clotting words. I once had the pleasure of talking to Daniel Clowes. He told me that lettering by hand is sometimes the only way he can know what the word that should come next is. 

sharing a table with strangers

A recent coffeeshop experience.

(or, call me Miss Lonelyhearts, apparently)

(click for larger + clearer)

thoughts on bus proximity

When I ride the bus alone, I sometimes wonder whether I am especially neurotic, or whether we are all guilty of fast-talking, interior monologues.

things I know about my neighbors (part 2)

things I know about my neighbors

bass players

bass players, 5/22/13

Last night, I went to see the San Francisco Symphony play Elliott Carter, Maurice Ravel, and George Gershwin. Really, I went to hear the Ravel and Gershwin. Really, I went to see the clarinet player just about wriggle out of his tailcoat with the excitement of the first solo of Rhapsody in Blue.

I sat in the magical, $15 seats that put you right up behind the musicians. The percussion and the brass are extremely loud there, and you have an excellent view of the luxuriously full complement of basses. My sister and I shared the long, carpeted bench with elderly Russian couples who didn't seem to mind when we pulled out our notebooks and pencils.

the neighbors upstairs

I am convinced that sometimes the neighbors upstairs turn into rhinoceroses or elephants or some other pachyderms and practice line dancing up and down the hall.

worth it

for H. McCalden

(thanks for the advice)

stage blood

I read something that a friend sent me. Then I drew this.