Last night, before watching the latest episode of Flash Forward, Chris said, "Remind me how the last one ended." My reply: "The guy from Coupling who was in the girl from Lost's flash forward got a call from Charlie from Lost saying something about them being responsible, and the Shakespeare guy told his coworker to call the hacker." Oddly enough, he understood me. Read Full Story

After returning from Israel (and having some sense of coherence return to my life--although not much), I thought I'd compile a list of tips for those of you out there desiring to make a trip to the Holy Lands. Or for those of you armchair travelers who prefer seeing the world through the travel channel. You still may need these tips before the Israel episode. Travel with cynical writers. I worried the trip would be made up of constant emotional breakdowns and holy moments. Israel's a great... Read Full Story

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Jesus said we'd do greater things than he. He walked on water. Today, we danced on it. This morning, our group went out on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of a first-century boat. A couple in our group used this opportunity to renew our wedding vows. Which evolved into traditional Jewish wedding music. Which evolved (devolved, perhaps) into ABBA. And Cotton-Eyed Joe. And Israeli techno music. And we danced. Someone noted today that the trip isn't as spiritual as she expected. But here's how ... Read Full Story

We missed out on Cana. Drove through, but didn't get to stop at the church that's built over the traditional site of the wedding. Too bad. I was looking forward to a good glass of wine. In Caesarea, there are ruins underwater from this pier Herod built (it was destroyed by tsunami) as well as wrecks from ships. I asked if it's open to the public for diving. It is. Someday maybe we can come back, and you can see the ruins down there. I ran out of room on the camera within an hour. So I went b... Read Full Story

Coming to you live from King David Lounge in JFK airport. So apparently El Al won't let you check-in until a certain time before your flight. To keep their business travelers happy, they provide a lounge on the outside of the security gate so you can relax and enjoy their overstuffed recliners, olives, hummus, some identified yet delicious tabouli-like salad, and well-stocked bar while you wait to check-in. Which would've been nice to know before we ate over-priced Chinese food in the c... Read Full Story

Last night, I attended the latest U2 concert. Attended is the wrong word. Participated in fits better. A U2 concert is more than a group of talented men standing on a stage singing. It is about how they invite the audience to participate in something greater than themselves--in the music and in the work of bringing blessing to a hurting world. Chris, two friends, and I were on the floor. And though my feet and knees punish me today for that decision, I'm glad we did that. We were closer to... Read Full Story

If Edgar Allen Poe and Charlotte Bronte were to write a story set in contemporary London, the result would be Her Fearful Symmetry. In a Victorian gothic style befitting of its cemetery setting, Audrey Niffenegger unfolds a story of relationships, love, and secrets. Mirror twins Valentina and Julia inherit their Aunt Elspeth's estate after her death. The conditions: they must live in the London flat for a year before selling it, and they must disallow their parents, Edie (Elspeth's estran... Read Full Story

"Me-me-me-me." Everyone warmed up? Today I'm guest blogging on Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner's blog. The topic? Finding Your Voice: A Musician Looks at Writing Don't worry. I don't once break into song and/or dance in the post (though I may have once or twice during the writing of said post). Enjoy. Read Full Story

Willy, a hack writer who wants to be a serious writer, is sentenced to community service for running over a local high school's mascot. There, he meets Father Joe, who's searching for the daughter he lost while he was in jail, and Shaq, who's searching for his missing memories (and finds them in everyone else's pasts). In his spare time,Willy works (and fails) at breaking his dead wife's espresso maker--a gift from some guy named Sean. He enlists the help of Ozena, one of Javatek's custom... Read Full Story