What a great story. Weird thought that just popped into my head: does the word story imply fiction? Not my intention. I'll reword. What an entertaining recount!
Not sure why, but my earlier reply to this ended up in the general thread. Just to set the record straight and so you don't think I randomly laugh in public places. (Actually I do, but that's another story!)
This is an amazing piece, and I loved every line. You captured humor, history, what it means to be a writer, and what blackouts in a city that never sleeps look like (so different than I imagined). And Brian Dennehy. And somehow all of this intention, expectations, surprise, the truisms of trying to f'ing write, and Hollywood swirl around for 20 years and turn into this spectacular and relatable (to writers and nonwriters alike) piece of writing. Dorothy Parker would be proud.
Aw, thank you so much, Beth. That means a lot coming from you. I’m really glad you liked it. Writing this has put me in the mood to reread some Dorothy Parker.
Loved this! Nothing better than holing yourself up in a hotel for a writing retreat. This experience sounds like an incredible dream. I was also very into Frank Sinatra at a young age. My friends were blasting pop hits from the early aughts and there I was - trying to get them to care about the big band interlude during I’ve Got You Under My Skin. It was absolutely hopeless.
Thanks, Lindsey! For my 17th birthday, I asked my parents to take me to see Frank Sinatra (he was pretty old at this point). Probably safe to say I was the only one from my high school at that concert.
Very cool Chris. The Algonquin does have a lot of history. As a New Yorker I feel like I have too much writer vibe here so I go to the Duluth Motor Inn to clear my mind and get the writing flowing. I'm glad you got to see NYC in one of its nicer moods, even in a blackout. There was a lot of ice cream given away that day.
Don't underestimate the PBR -- all the kids are drinking it. NYC has dollar specials -- or at least they did prior to 2020-- now it's probably treated as an import to make back lost revenue.
Speaking of... have you ever been to the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI? Now there's a special place for the PBR - and you're definitely gonna want to write about it.
I had no idea such a place existed, just googled it, and am ready for it. I did go to the Minnesota State Fair once, where the butter sculptures were pretty amazing. Seriously. I didn't stop in Duluth, though.
I am finding the VO, some are computer generated and not as fun as hearing the authors voice. Thank you for taking the time to do that, so I can stretch or cook or clean while listening.
I had lunch at the Algonquin once with a writer friend. We ordered martinis, which was not usual lunch behavior for either of us. We talked about writing and laughed a lot. It was a leisurely lunch. The friend was very funny and her last name is Witty. She and I fell out of touch years ago. I remember that lunch feeling like we were at an experiential museum or were worshipping at a shrine to cleverness. Afterwards she and I stumbled off into the rest of our individual days. I loved your essay. I hadn’t thought of that friend or martini lubricated lunch in a long time.
This is fab. Too many great phrases to quote. Nothing like a NYC writing retreat. I once stayed at the Algonquin to suck in the vibes. My room was so tiny I couldn’t stretch on the floor.
Thank you, CK! It’s so cool that you stayed there too with the same reverence for it. The place feels magical to me. But those rooms are definitely small!
What a great story. Weird thought that just popped into my head: does the word story imply fiction? Not my intention. I'll reword. What an entertaining recount!
Thank you, Ofifoto! As Elton John said, “Story seems to be the hardest word.” Wait, I may not have that exactly right. I demand a recount!
Not sure why, but my earlier reply to this ended up in the general thread. Just to set the record straight and so you don't think I randomly laugh in public places. (Actually I do, but that's another story!)
So do I, so I get it!
Brilliant! Love your Dorothy Parker poem!
Thank you, Wendy!
This is an amazing piece, and I loved every line. You captured humor, history, what it means to be a writer, and what blackouts in a city that never sleeps look like (so different than I imagined). And Brian Dennehy. And somehow all of this intention, expectations, surprise, the truisms of trying to f'ing write, and Hollywood swirl around for 20 years and turn into this spectacular and relatable (to writers and nonwriters alike) piece of writing. Dorothy Parker would be proud.
Aw, thank you so much, Beth. That means a lot coming from you. I’m really glad you liked it. Writing this has put me in the mood to reread some Dorothy Parker.
Loved this! Nothing better than holing yourself up in a hotel for a writing retreat. This experience sounds like an incredible dream. I was also very into Frank Sinatra at a young age. My friends were blasting pop hits from the early aughts and there I was - trying to get them to care about the big band interlude during I’ve Got You Under My Skin. It was absolutely hopeless.
Thanks, Lindsey! For my 17th birthday, I asked my parents to take me to see Frank Sinatra (he was pretty old at this point). Probably safe to say I was the only one from my high school at that concert.
SO jealous you got to see him live!
I saw him another four times after that!
A terrific story. And, Brian Dennehy has always seemed so easy-going in his movie roles - you must have done something to piss him off.
Thanks, Bill! And though it seems you’re right, I’m still not sure what it was. It’s kind of ruined Tommy Boy for me.
I'd never heard of the Algonquin. And I lived in NYC for three years. I'm so uncultured.
That said, I'd stay in decently clean garbage dumpster if I could get three days of peaceful writing time.
You'd probably find some interesting inspiration in there
Never knew about the Algonquin before this, and very funny!
Thanks so much, Brian!
Very cool Chris. The Algonquin does have a lot of history. As a New Yorker I feel like I have too much writer vibe here so I go to the Duluth Motor Inn to clear my mind and get the writing flowing. I'm glad you got to see NYC in one of its nicer moods, even in a blackout. There was a lot of ice cream given away that day.
Thanks, Renee! I'm sure the Duluth Motor Inn has its own special vibe. I'm guessing less martini and more PBR but don't want to stereotype.
Don't underestimate the PBR -- all the kids are drinking it. NYC has dollar specials -- or at least they did prior to 2020-- now it's probably treated as an import to make back lost revenue.
Speaking of... have you ever been to the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI? Now there's a special place for the PBR - and you're definitely gonna want to write about it.
I had no idea such a place existed, just googled it, and am ready for it. I did go to the Minnesota State Fair once, where the butter sculptures were pretty amazing. Seriously. I didn't stop in Duluth, though.
Beyond talent: Black outs, dual bullies of heat and humidity, the back key, plays, humor… a gripping read. I love the voice over. Thank you Chris!
I'm learning from you.
That's so nice of you to say, Prajna! Thank you! And thanks for listening to the VO. I never know if anyone's actually doing that!
I am finding the VO, some are computer generated and not as fun as hearing the authors voice. Thank you for taking the time to do that, so I can stretch or cook or clean while listening.
Love it!
Every word is perfect, Chris! You smashed it out of the ball park!
Thank you, Cherie! That’s really nice of you to say.
I had lunch at the Algonquin once with a writer friend. We ordered martinis, which was not usual lunch behavior for either of us. We talked about writing and laughed a lot. It was a leisurely lunch. The friend was very funny and her last name is Witty. She and I fell out of touch years ago. I remember that lunch feeling like we were at an experiential museum or were worshipping at a shrine to cleverness. Afterwards she and I stumbled off into the rest of our individual days. I loved your essay. I hadn’t thought of that friend or martini lubricated lunch in a long time.
That’s an amazing story, Linda. I’m so glad you got to have that experience. And her last named was Witty? That’s fantastic.
Chris, I enjoyed reading this article. Quite good way to start my morning. All the best!
I’m glad, Matthew. Thank you!
The poem, the unfortunate timing of the blackout, pissing of Brian Dennehy…! Dorothy Parker would be proud! Brilliant!
Thank you, my friend!
Haha. Well said.
This is fab. Too many great phrases to quote. Nothing like a NYC writing retreat. I once stayed at the Algonquin to suck in the vibes. My room was so tiny I couldn’t stretch on the floor.
Thank you, CK! It’s so cool that you stayed there too with the same reverence for it. The place feels magical to me. But those rooms are definitely small!
Delightful
Thank you, Tom!