Author: Stacy Horn

Maia Szalavitz’s new book, Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction is out today!

“… a new way of looking at drug addiction that offers a fresh approach to managing it. [Salavitz] writes frankly about her background …. In a heartfelt manner, she exposes her own fears and pain … A dense blending of self-exposure, surprising statistics, and solid science reporting that presents addiction as a misunderstood coping mechanism, a problem whose true nature is not yet recognized by policymakers or the public.” –Kirkus

“As more professionals realize that addiction isn’t really a disease, our challenge is to determine exactly what it is. Szalavitz catalogs the latest scientific knowledge of the biological, environmental and social causes of addiction and explains precisely how they interact over development. The theory is articulate and tight, yet made accessible and compelling through the author’s harrowing autobiography. Unbroken Brain provides the most comprehensive and readable explanation of addiction I’ve yet to see.” –Marc Lewis, author of The Biology of Desire

Congratulations, Maia!!

I actually took this shot a couple of weeks ago, as an early sign of spring, which is now here except it’s freezing in NYC at the moment. I can’t get up and close the window though, because I have a sleeping cat on me.

I took this in Gramercy Park, which I love, and get to pass by every time I go to the dentist. A good part of a bad thing. I would love to see inside these two buildings. I’m too chicken to ask for a peek though. When did I become this chicken??

Once more, television breaks my heart. My new favorite tv show, You, Me and the Apocalypse, is not going to get a second season. It wasn’t just my new favorite, it was the first show I’ve truly loved in a long time. Every character, almost every line uttered, all the story lines, I just relished it all. And holy shit, Megan Mullally, I wish I could hand you an Emmy for your character. But everyone did a great job with their characters. EVERYONE. Rob Lowe, who I tend to be on the fence about, was wonderful. (It was mostly British actors, all great.)

If you haven’t watched it, binge watch it. It’s worth it even though we will never learn what happens. We learn enough that you won’t hate me for suggesting this.

In the spirit of the show I’m going to hope for a miracle. Maybe Amazon or Hulu or one of these new producer/networks will pick it up. Thank you though, everyone involved with this series. I enjoyed it immensely.

The crowd in front of St. Patrick’s on Fifth Avenue, on Easter. They also want someone to pick up You, Me and the Apocalypse.

It feels like some show is always filming in my neighborhood, or in the places I travel to. The fake front they built here was amazing. I should have taken a shot from the front so you could see how real it looked. You’d swear it was a hundred year old facade. Well done set builders!

I just spent a few very productive hours at the Brooklyn Law Library, although the librarian did all the work really. I’ve been researching some 19th century laws, and the procedures of the inferior criminal courts of New York City during that time period. The librarian found most of what I needed and now I’m organizing all the documents I scanned. There’s a million books alone in this subject!

OH GOD. Someone could develop a tv show, like The Knick, but set in a police court (or the Court of General Session, or the Court of Special Sessions, or they could bounce between all three). Can’t you see it?? A 19th century courtroom drama! Maybe modeled on Law and Order, but in the 19th century. I WANT CREDIT IF THIS HAPPENS.

I know I’ve posted a picture of Bleeck striking this pose before, but here he is again, laying down in this weird way. I’m just amazed as always that this is comfortable for him.