Where to direct the blame

RANDALL OSBORNE

is a writer in the San Francisco Bay Area -- can we say "a San Francisco writer"? I don't think so. He's no Saroyan and he's across the bridge -- who previously has lived near Chicago, in St. Louis and in Atlanta, though he can't imagine anyplace better than where he is right now.

He has worked as an editor/writer for more newspapers and magazines than he likes to think about, really – where did the time go? – including alternative publications such as Creative Loafing in Atlanta and The Riverfront Times in St. Louis. His writing has appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Progressive magazine and various others, including www.salon.com and www.playboy.com.

In the awards department, he has been adorned with obscure but enormously appreciated honors. Ever hear of the James Nash Memorial writing award (St. Louis)? I didn't think so. How about the one for “community fiction” from Clark Atlanta University? Fine. He's also been bestowed various recognitions from the Illinois Press Association for writing and photography. The whole thing has been pretty much a blur.

He enjoys food, wine, literature and crystal methamphetamine. No, make that "long walks and good conversation." He has a peculiar bump near the tip of his nose, off to the right side. It's been there since adolescence. People stare at it and try to act like they're not. He wishes he had a dog. He believes the almost Halloweenish color scheme he chose for this website captures the autumnal sense within his soul and he is apt to spout something ridiculous like that at any moment. He wants the dog to be a large dog. The fall is his favorite time of year. Is it yours?  He might not be any Saroyan but he can write like a son of a bitch once he gets going. He is working on a book, like everyone else you know. He has no collaborators.

Autobiographical matter is always suspect, with a risk of the recorder either glorifying or debasing himself beyond all fair measure (or doing one under the guise of the other, which confuses things even more). I'm doing my best over here.