Naomi J. Williams
@naomijwilliams.bsky.social
Writer, teacher, editor, thrift-store shopper, train enthusiast, Sacramento Kings fan. Author of novel Landfalls. Biracial Japanese-American. She/her Banner image: stone bridge at Kōsanji Temple, Japan
So I spent a month at a writers residency in the summer of 2010 having dinner every day with Gloria Steinem. It was pretty cool. I wrote a thing about it. And yeah, I used to be brunette
My Summer of Gloria Steinem
Remembering a month on Whidbey Island with the feminist icon
naomiwilliams.substack.com
Today’s fake pangram: LINTWAD: that thing you dig out from the dryer trap (I’ve always found this a weirdly satisfying task) #NYTSpellingBee
I finally have some book news to share! My short story collection, STRANGE TROUBLE, will be out with Curbstone, an imprint of Northwestern University Press, next September. I'm so lucky to be working with Megan Stielstra on this project & can't wait to share these weird stories with the world.
Saw "To Catch a Thief" last night at charming Dreamland Cinema micro-theater near my house in Sac. Now that I'm over 60, though, found myself wishing Cary Grant would take up with Grace Kelly's mother, more age-appropriate for him & played with such zest by Jessie Royce Landis. I'd see that remake.
RIP “Big Pussy” Vincent Pastore, Whose ‘Sopranos’ Character Ratted Out Tony, Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, Actor on ‘The Sopranos,’ Dies at 80
He played Salvatore Bonpensiero, a mobster’s foot soldier turned F.B.I. informant known to his friends as Big Pussy, on the celebrated HBO series.
nytimes.com
Spending most of my summer in SF, without a car. Mostly enjoying my many public transit journeys around town. But riding right now on inbound L where automated announcements are 2 whole stations behind. Driver just noticed. We’re at Montgomery 😂 #SFMUNI
Teehee. Always heart-warming to see an HOA that serves rich people’s interests compelled to comply with state requirements, in this case for public access to CA coastline
California HOA to pay $2.5M to resolve coastal access dispute
The new plan calls for unlocked gates and a public restroom.
sfgate.com
Today’s fake Spelling Bee pangram: UNPALATIAL, which describes every house I’ve ever lived in.
I haven’t posted one of these in ages, but thought FLUTOBOE was mildly amusing as a fake pangram. It’s an oboe that you play sideways, like a flute.
Honestly I sometimes cannot figure out till the end of an ad if it’s going to try to sell me AI or Jesus
For story I’m writing, needed to refresh memory on how pregnancy months are counted in Japan & learn that “…most women are already 2-3 wks pregnant before conception occurs.” 🤦🏻♀️ Thanks, AI “search assist” 🤣
Could not agree more! Thank you @byrobinepley.bsky.social for saying all of this out loud
East Sac’s fight against new apartment block is exactly what NIMBYs do | Opinion
“I hate to break it to you, but if you oppose new housing in your neighborhood, then you are the literal definition of a NIMBY,” writes Robin Epley.
sacbee.com
The current National Endowment for the Arts newsletter starts with a big ole dangling participle. They must’ve axed qualified proofreaders over there
Totally worth staying up a little late to see Japan take Tunisia 4-0. They’re even with Netherlands in their group! 🇯🇵 ⚽️
Over the moon that @maiforus.bsky.social has secured a spot on the November ballot. In fact, she's currently leading incumbent Doris Matsui. The campaign starts now! You can support her here: www.maiforus.com
Mai Vang for Congress (CA-07) | A Fighter for Working Families
Daughter of Hmong refugees. Eldest of 16. A lifelong fighter for working families in Sacramento. Join Mai Vang’s people-powered campaign for Congress in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Lodi, and CA-7
maiforus.com
You-Know-Who getting roundly booed when his face showed up on screens at MSG during National anthem music to my ears
I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with these bear attacks in Japan
Possible fatal bear attack reported in mountains of western Tokyo
If confirmed, the incident in the mountains of Okutama would mark Tokyo's first recorded fatal bear attack since at least 2006.
japantimes.co.jp
If you’ve ever wondered about the origin of flamingo cafes, this marvelous short story fills you in
A Side of Metamorphosis With Your Coffee, Hon? - Electric Literature
electricliterature.com
Today’s Fake Pangram is one of my fonder memories from my earliest years in the US, when we lived in public housing in Long Beach & my sister & I used to go to the BOOKMOBILE every week when it visited. My first library experience.
"She's asking us to trust her." But her voting record raises eyebrows. And her current stances seem motivated by finally having a real challenger. It's time for someone new to represent Sacramento. #MaiForUs
Matsui says she opposes any funding for ICE. What does her record say?
From 2019 to 2024, she joined the majority of Democrats voting for five government spending packages that included nearly $42 billion for ICE.
sacbee.com
Writers interested in AWP in Chicago next year: I'm trying to put together a proposal on the Difficult Second Book. If you're interested (or know someone who might be), let me know?
This is such a perfect tiny love story. I am smitten. And kinda craving a martini at 10:30 in the morning, and I don't even really like martinis all that much.
True Love With Three Olives and a Twist - Electric Literature
“The Martini Fairy,” flash fiction by Peter M. Kazon
electricliterature.com
Come on, East Sacramento. We desperately need more housing like this.
The city council should obey the law and approve apartments in East Sac | Opinion
City staff says a state law will prevent the council from changing a 312-unit apartment complex providing new housing near the urban core.
sacbee.com
Today’s Silly Pangram: GENZALIZE—verb, to make a generalization either about Gen-Z or as a Gen-Z. Rarely used by the demographic in question.
