Another of a Million Little Opinions
January 27, 2006

I read A Million Little Pieces before it came out. The books editor at the Chronicle, knowing my propensity for drink and, therefore, addiction literature, asked me to review it. I had high hopes: It had the most startling book... more

A Very Important Day in Hepola History
January 24, 2006

Let it be known that today is the day I got my couch. Let it be known that the couch is red--as red as red can be--and that it conveniently folds down into a bed for friendly visitors, making it... more

Recipe for Disaster
January 16, 2006

I am not a cook. I tend toward dangerous switcheroos—two cups of milk instead of two tablespoons, cayenne pepper instead of chili powder—and so I have learned my proper place in the kitchen is within arms’ reach of the wine... more

The Essential Truth
January 12, 2006

Thank God for James Frey. Larry King’s probing interview last night with the embattled memoirist has left me free to unburden myself of the “small, minor adjustments” I made to this weblog over the years “for overall dramatic effect.” For... more

Parental Guidance, Part III
January 04, 2006

Two years ago, I was a music editor at the Dallas Observer, scrambling for a story to run Christmas week. Like any good journalist, I turned to my best sources: mom and dad. Classical music fanatics in their 60s, my... more