"In my 30s I traveled to New York a great deal, met extremely interesting people, got hired for extremely interesting work, and ate a lot of good food. I covered an orgy for Esquire."
I've loved Jon Carroll's writing for years. So happy to see this interview and know that he's still in the world, and thinking about writing again. One more thought--Jon Carroll's column was always the best part of the San Francisco Chronicle, when it was still an actual newspaper. We had the paper delivered daily and it was the first thing I read. Still have several columns that I cut out (in the long-ago days before digital) because they were so apt.
Delighted to have found this interview , Jon. Was always and continue to be a fan. Anxiously waiting to read more even if you think it’s all been said ….no one will have said it quite like you. (And hopefully there will be a few sentences about cats. ) xo
Me too! (My family always did—or at least, tried to do—the Christmas quiz, too.) And I heard him give my favorite graduation speech ever at Cal. So glad to read more of his writing through Oldster, Sari!
Just got to this Oldster piece. I miss Jon's writing to this day. It hasn't diminished since he stopped. Glad to see he really hasn't lost his touch. I'm 86 now and have been diagnosed with the beginnings of Glaucoma, so eye fu is all around us. I walk like a penguin, so I guess that's my trip to the Arctic. Sail on, Jon!!
Feels like a homecoming to read about you, Jon. You wouldn't know me but of course when I moved from West L.A. to Berkeley in 1982, I loved your columns along with Adair Lara and whoever wrote on the opposite side of the Chronicle page! Guess I need to write an email rather than endless comment. Share your feelings about aging, authoritariansm, my brother and I glad we don't have grandchildren to send into this future. Thanks for many great years!
I was in the Bay Area during all those years, so I was aware of Jon Carroll even when he was at New West. I looked forward to reading his columns in the Chronicle, in particular. Like most people, I enjoyed Herb Caen, who was the city's fond biographer, but Carroll was the other side of that coin: a sane and sometimes sharp observer who still made me feel good. This really takes me back. Thanks to Nancy Friedman, the amanuensis. I'm glad that's still legal in California.
Thank you for this! Jon Carroll was legendary as I came into journalism in my native Bay Area in the ‘70s. I had wondered where is he now and am glad to read it’s in a pretty good spot. Good to know as well about his collected writings in print and I will check that title out. Meanwhile, yes Jon, please do get your writing back into the world—use that voice we all so loved! (And I’d love to know what at age 81 do you remember about that orgy?)
I’m from San Francisco and love Jon Carroll’s work. When he left the Chronicle I followed his blog, and I was distressed and saddened when he just…stopped writing. I welcome his reemergence! Good to hear from you, Jon!
Do you have the impression that Jon might start writing for Substack? I was a daily reader of his column; wished I had clipped them out for rereading. Some, like his wonderful Thanksgiving piece, were republished for years.
Hi John -- Jon would love to be writing again. His macular degeneration makes it challenging; he hopes to find a technology solution (other than dictating to me) that will make it work. If anyone has suggestions, feel free to send them to me: nancyf (at) wordworking dot com.
Nice to catch up with you, Jon. There’s now an Aging conference on The WELL, which’ll tell you something. That’s where I saw the link to this interview. I’ll always be grateful to you for letting me write a “guest” column in your Space, which led to the most lucrative (and fun!) freelance gig I ever had. My regards to Tracy. Any cats? I have three, and fully qualify for the Childless Cat Lady title. (And thanks, Nancy, for acting as go-between.)
Tracy, yes; still in Portland. The gig I was thinking of was writing for Computer Life, a Ziff-Davis glossy monthly. I did occasional features and then a back-page column called The Cybernaut. $2 a word; heady times!
I've loved Jon Carroll's writing for years. So happy to see this interview and know that he's still in the world, and thinking about writing again. One more thought--Jon Carroll's column was always the best part of the San Francisco Chronicle, when it was still an actual newspaper. We had the paper delivered daily and it was the first thing I read. Still have several columns that I cut out (in the long-ago days before digital) because they were so apt.
Delighted to have found this interview , Jon. Was always and continue to be a fan. Anxiously waiting to read more even if you think it’s all been said ….no one will have said it quite like you. (And hopefully there will be a few sentences about cats. ) xo
Me too! (My family always did—or at least, tried to do—the Christmas quiz, too.) And I heard him give my favorite graduation speech ever at Cal. So glad to read more of his writing through Oldster, Sari!
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
Just got to this Oldster piece. I miss Jon's writing to this day. It hasn't diminished since he stopped. Glad to see he really hasn't lost his touch. I'm 86 now and have been diagnosed with the beginnings of Glaucoma, so eye fu is all around us. I walk like a penguin, so I guess that's my trip to the Arctic. Sail on, Jon!!
I feel EXACTLY the same !
Feels like a homecoming to read about you, Jon. You wouldn't know me but of course when I moved from West L.A. to Berkeley in 1982, I loved your columns along with Adair Lara and whoever wrote on the opposite side of the Chronicle page! Guess I need to write an email rather than endless comment. Share your feelings about aging, authoritariansm, my brother and I glad we don't have grandchildren to send into this future. Thanks for many great years!
A Mere 78-year-old
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
Another question I wish Oldster would ask is: “How do you feel about dying?”
Hmmm. Maybe I’ll add that. Thanks!
Another inspiring interview! Thank you.
I was in the Bay Area during all those years, so I was aware of Jon Carroll even when he was at New West. I looked forward to reading his columns in the Chronicle, in particular. Like most people, I enjoyed Herb Caen, who was the city's fond biographer, but Carroll was the other side of that coin: a sane and sometimes sharp observer who still made me feel good. This really takes me back. Thanks to Nancy Friedman, the amanuensis. I'm glad that's still legal in California.
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
Thank you for this! Jon Carroll was legendary as I came into journalism in my native Bay Area in the ‘70s. I had wondered where is he now and am glad to read it’s in a pretty good spot. Good to know as well about his collected writings in print and I will check that title out. Meanwhile, yes Jon, please do get your writing back into the world—use that voice we all so loved! (And I’d love to know what at age 81 do you remember about that orgy?)
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
I can relate being two months short of 80.
Thankful I still can see and hear and post on Substack.
Freddy the Pig! I loooove that series! Agree on managing people rather than words as an editor.
His take in the SF Chron on "Who Moved my Cheese" still brings tears of laughter.
Here's that column, in case you feel like laugh-crying again: https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/carroll/article/i-got-your-cheese-right-here-3326066.php
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
I’m from San Francisco and love Jon Carroll’s work. When he left the Chronicle I followed his blog, and I was distressed and saddened when he just…stopped writing. I welcome his reemergence! Good to hear from you, Jon!
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
Tracy, I just read Jon’s “pre-obit”: what a poignant and beautiful tribute to a life well lived and a woman well loved. You are a force of nature!
Many thanks. Although force of nature doesn't really work all that well when you have grown old...
"one of the things about birding that people don’t talk about is the sound."
Indeed: Talk about the sound.
For which I am grateful for Merlin's sound recordings to help me identify.
and may I respectfully note that my current newsletter addresses Merlin in detail, because HOW COOL IS THAT THING
Keep going Jon! Find a way of expressing your views about current politics!
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
Do you have the impression that Jon might start writing for Substack? I was a daily reader of his column; wished I had clipped them out for rereading. Some, like his wonderful Thanksgiving piece, were republished for years.
Hi John -- Jon would love to be writing again. His macular degeneration makes it challenging; he hopes to find a technology solution (other than dictating to me) that will make it work. If anyone has suggestions, feel free to send them to me: nancyf (at) wordworking dot com.
Nice to catch up with you, Jon. There’s now an Aging conference on The WELL, which’ll tell you something. That’s where I saw the link to this interview. I’ll always be grateful to you for letting me write a “guest” column in your Space, which led to the most lucrative (and fun!) freelance gig I ever had. My regards to Tracy. Any cats? I have three, and fully qualify for the Childless Cat Lady title. (And thanks, Nancy, for acting as go-between.)
Oh, and Jon and Tracy have two lovely cats, Charlie and Parker.
Thanks, Reva!
Hey Reva! I would love to know what lucrative freelance gig the guest column generated for you. Are you still in Portland?
Tracy, yes; still in Portland. The gig I was thinking of was writing for Computer Life, a Ziff-Davis glossy monthly. I did occasional features and then a back-page column called The Cybernaut. $2 a word; heady times!
Wonderful to hear Jon Caroll's voice through his words. I loved his SF Chronicle column--especially when he wrote about his beloved cats.
This is Tracy, writing for Jon:
Thank you for the kind comments. I miss those times too. As I know my Oldster friends can attest, it’s nice to know that you’re remembered.
Such an interesting guy. If Anne Lamott recommends his book, it must be good!