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BTBaum

@btbaum.bsky.social

440 followers 340 following 220 posts

Author, freelance reporter, dog-lover, recovering editor; bylines in San Francisco Mag, LA Times, NYT, Cal Academy Science Today, Catamaran Literary Mag. Remember when generalists armed w/ curiosity made for good journalism?

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BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 4d

The #SantaMonicaReview is one of three publications helmed by the brilliant Andrew Tonkovich, not to mention his radio show “Bibliocracy.”

An earlier version of this essay appeared in the Community of Writers’ newsletter, the Omnium Gatherum Quarterly.

ogquarterly.org/issue18/#tan...

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 4d

Proud to make my first appearance in the pages of the Santa Monica Review.

My essay, “Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein,” explores the work of one of the great urban historians of our time. Norman has many unusual insights on how, why, & when our Great Unraveling began.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 7d

Sorry—those talented Rodgers spell their name with a “d” (as I just learned by looking on Libby for “Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers”

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 7d

The script was everything I wished 2023’s disappointing biopic of Bernstein could’ve been. Inspired to learn more about #ElizabethWeiland & read “Shy”—memoirs of Richard Roger’s’ daughter, #MaryRogers. And more Andrew Scott as Richard Rogers please! Sequel? Like “Before Sunset” but “After Hart.” 2/2

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 7d

We just saw #BlueMoon about Lorenzo Hart at the #MVFF. Loved it. Felt like an erudite stage play & had to que up Joni Mitchell’s version of “Wish I Were in Love Again” from 2000. Didn’t care for the camera tricks to make Ethan Hawke appear 4’ 10” — his ACTING was fine. 1/2

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 7d

We just saw #BlueMoon about Lorenzo Hart at the #MVFF. Loved it. Felt like an erudite stage play & had to que up Joni Mitchell’s version of “Wish I Were in Love Again” from 2000. Didn’t care for the camera tricks to make Ethan Hawke appear 4’ 10” — his ACTING was fine. 1/2

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 9d

Start with Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet, aka My Brilliant Friend.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

For me, the news of Griffin's passing sends me back to her 1992 book, "A Chorus of Stones," and Rosner's newest, "Third Ear."

Meanwhile, here's my profile of their 2017 conversation, which which remains (sadly) timely and relevant.

end/

alumni.berkeley.edu/california-m...

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

To find inspiration these days, I would suggest returning to both Griffin and Rosner's books which in so many ways knew what was coming, understood the stakes, and proposed spiritually grounded responses to it all.

3/of several

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

This event was occasioned by Counterpoint Press' reissue of Griffin's book "Women and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her."

Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.

2/of several

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

This event was occasioned by Counterpoint Press' reissue of Griffin's book "Women and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her."

Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.

2/of several

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 13d

Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 26d

I think it will lead to life-threatening staff shortages (on every level) in hospitals.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · 29d

An insult also tossed off by a very young Steve Buscemi in 1986’s “Parting Glances.” It was such a delicious put-down that it sent me right to the Biographical Dictionary. I only learned the Looney Tunes connection…right now, reading this post.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Sep 12

*Many* Californians will support Pritzker.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Sep 10

Also, @luxalptraum.com —I didn’t mean to wander off your main point. Of course you can’t remember a decade you didn’t experience. I guess my use if “you” was rhetorical. A slight if hand meaning “all of us oldsters…”

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Sep 10

So much of American culture and politics of the 80s was a (negative) reaction to the changes of the 60s & 70s. The computer revolution (“Information Age”) was framed as new & breakthrough—but that was building on a hundred years of effort starting with Ada Lovelace writing on software development.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Sep 10

If you remember how it was in the 70s, at least you’ll be remembering a ferocious pushback that was so unsettling and transformative that this historical period has been mocked and misremembered in an ongoing campaign to tear it all down.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Aug 30

I second “She Bends.” But also adding the equally famous “Neon Works” helmed by Jim Rizzo in Oakland. It’s a small community—everyone knows each other!

www.neonwks.com

Neon Signs, Restoration, Fabrication, Maintenance, Lettering

Neon Works offers a variety of neon and sign services. From restoration of existing signs, to design, fabrication, and installation of new diplay signs.

www.neonwks.com

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Aug 6

I loved this film when I saw it during its first-run release! The two musical numbers with David Bowie singing the title track “Absolute Beginners” and “That’s Inspiration” are among my favorite songs by Bowie! Your post makes me hopeful the film has been restored and, hopefully, re-released!!!

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Jul 25

What a gift you are! Thanks Biz!

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Jul 25

Excellent!! Thanks!

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Jul 25

There’s no published “history” but why not start a list? There’s Ralph Ellison’s second novel, a 2,000 page manuscript not published in his lifetime. Posthumously edited down into 1999’s “Juneteenth.” Other examples, anyone?

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Jun 23

Strange time to be traveling. In Bologna for the annual #CinemaRitrovato film festival of restored gems of world cinema. So, we are time-traveling as well. Thinking abt what has been lost, deliberately left behind, or worth saving. Plus, #KatherineHeburn gems curated by author/critic #MollyHaskell!

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · Jun 11

I was also thinking of that today!! A bittersweet piece of writing worthy of Brian himself.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · May 24

Norman Klein is a visionary whose work starts in Los Angeles then expands beyond traditional boundaries. He's our very own Fernando Pessoa writing books of disquiet about recent history and the elements pulling us towards collective amnesia. A little clip of books mentioned in above article.

BTBaum @btbaum.bsky.social · May 24

Proud to be making my second appearance in the #communityofwriters quarterly, this time with a tribute to author Norman M. Klein. (See "Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein")

ogquarterly.org

Check it out!

#historyofforgettng
#booksky
#booklover
#losangeleshistory

Omnium Gatherum Quarterly – OGQ: A Project of the Community of Writers.

ogquarterly.org