Frank grew up in Chicago and came from a (surprisingly common) wacky family full of big success and big hypocrisy and personal failure. His grandfather was a Chicago tycoon who made vast amounts of money…
Posts published in “Essays”
Like no other people before us, we live with the songs of the dead. In the car or at home, walking or e-biking, in the airplane or hospital waiting room, lying in bed or on…
Being a fun-loving San Franciscan (redundant) I play a lot of games in this hallowed space—self cancelling phrases (working press). Namepheraks (Fran and Bill Flesher own a nudist resort near San Berdoo) commute firm names…
I’ve been writing about the Sixties again recently and have been finding that there’s always more to be said about that era that’s usually linked to sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, as well as…
Like an intrusive Jehovah’s witness or a cheap hooker I probe for those in need who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) but are not yet on it. Many don’t know about their right to…
Abolafia. That unusual surname on a mailing list of people who knew or claimed some connection to the late Paul Krassner triggered a memory of the easiest money I ever made (for my boss) as…
An updated guide to modern manners is overdue, and Mendocino County residents are plainly in need of etiquette instruction for the 21st century. Gone is the Emily Post era when heads of household needed to…