Wrapping and Unwrapping 2021

There is, of course, always more to come... but for now here's my "writing tip" audio piece, written and recorded and forthcoming for Read650. Always fun to read aloud, especially a short piece where, if I make a mistake at the end (oh yes!), it’s not a big deal to do a re-do. And, if you're interested, listen to my earlier, autumnally-released Read650 piece on surprising birthday presents, here.

Obviously, with 2022, there's very much more to come, what with where we are with 19, Delta, Omicron, Hike! It is, doncha think, a little like Lucy and The Football, except that there’s no one to blame for a virus mutation (escept that things might be better if more people were vaxxed…one can hope, yes?).

So, with extreme weather contributing to the un-ease, and, um, disease contributing to the dis-ease, we are at the season where we can acknowledge the importance of friends and family, holding close to those we can hold close to, and remaining stalwart as we once again put gratification on delay.

But this time we’ve tasted the future… for me, it was a cross-country round trip travel by train in July, a round trip airplane trip to Cleveland in November, and back to New York’s cultural institutions—Broadway! Carnegie Hall! The Metropolitan Opera! The Met Museum! Knowing what awaits, I can, again, wait. Even though the metaphorical football has been yanked away once again.

What else did I get up to this fine year of 2021? Work and writing wise, I continued working with Anthony Caruso and Pocketbear Productions to make more Table Talks, of which there are now 12 installments—deliciously short video monologues written by yours truly, directed and produced by Anthony Caruso, and featuring a diverse cast of talented performers. Watch Table Talk episodes, here.

Hey, it’s the Solstice, and the days will start getting longer by 2 minutes 7 seconds each day. And before you know it, those leaves will be back. We may still be wearing masks, but we’ll be there.

Happy Holidays, Merry Solstice, and here’s to a new New Year!