Last night I finished reading Ann Patchett’s memoir Truth and Beauty, about her long friendship with Lucy Grealy, author of Autobiography of a Face. During her book tour, a fan asked Grealy about the process of writing about her childhood battle with cancer: “It’s amazing how you remember everything so clearly…All those conversations, details, wereContinue reading “For the memoirists”
Author Archives: Kari Neumeyer
Polarizing Film: Drive
Many years ago, when I was a student of the cinema, I considered a couple of popular films to be litmus tests. You laughed hysterically at Flirting with Disaster? You’re a philanderer with a misogynistic sense of humor. Wept at The English Patient? You’re pretentious. Please, that film was bo-ring! The other day, we watchedContinue reading “Polarizing Film: Drive”
Wreck and effect
In the week since my high-speed* MVA, I’ve done some spacey things. I squeezed conditioner instead of body wash onto my washcloth in the shower. I flushed the toilet when I meant to turn on the shower. I tried to fax something upside down. (A blank page arrived at the other end.) I can’t sayContinue reading “Wreck and effect”
They used to call me Mr. Glass
M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable is highly underrated. When I saw it in 2000, it was the most realistic rise-of-superhero-and-supervillain that I had ever seen on film. A comparable film in theaters now is Chronicle. Both films answer the question, What would the world be like if superpowers were real? * Kick-Ass is a great film addressingContinue reading “They used to call me Mr. Glass”
Smash
Certain things happen at the same time every year. Like daffodils blooming, or finding mouse droppings in your kitchen. Or minding your own business when another motorist plows into your car. I was on my way home from work yesterday when I noticed the cars in the left lane on I-5 slowing. Slowing a lot.Continue reading “Smash”
The King and Queen of Pop
Last week’s episode of Glee and the Superbowl halftime show have me thinking about the roles Michael Jackson and Madonna have played in my life. Michael I remember my first time with Michael. My brother’s best friend introduced us to him circa 1983, via the video for Billie Jean. I thought the lyrics were, “BillieContinue reading “The King and Queen of Pop”
Dream on, Angry Girl
The last couple of nights, I have had dreams where I’m screaming and yelling at someone rather irrationally. The night before last, a little girl and her mother barged in on my bathroom stall (in my dream). I won’t get into the graphic details, but I wound up in a screaming argument with them aboutContinue reading “Dream on, Angry Girl”
Getting rich quick on TV
I used to think Rob and I would kick ass on The Amazing Race. I’m an extremely savvy world traveler and he’s superhumanly athletic. However, I worried that my lack of strength and endurance might hold us back, coupled with the fact that I wouldn’t respond well to several sleep-deprived stressful days in a row.Continue reading “Getting rich quick on TV”
Yes, I am writer
I have no idea how I passed high school English. First of all, I never learned the formula for a high school English class essay. Secondly, I don’t think I actually read any of the books we were assigned. And I love to read. I’ve always loved to read. But whenever I sat down toContinue reading “Yes, I am writer”
Who hates the snow? Honestly!
Every year, when snow is in the forecast, I hear murmurings (and read them on The Facebook and The Twitter) of “Oh, no, it’s going to snow. Oh, I hope it doesn’t snow!” I always think, “Seriously? I loooove the snow. How can you not love snow?” Saying you hate snow is like saying youContinue reading “Who hates the snow? Honestly!”
Kari Neumeyer 