Ben East Books

Author: Ben East

  • Calling Mr. Robot

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    Ben East
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    If the leadership really wants to improve our healthcare insurance, they should start with a phone call to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In 12 seconds or less they’ll learn that legislating insurance can only make America great again if it kills the robots taking our calls. I’m sorry, I did not understand your response. ‘That’s because you’re a…

  • Supporting the Women’s March on Washington

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    Ben East
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    I may not be marching, but I refuse to be silent. The cause is just and the timing right. I will be counted among the marchers by rolling up my sleeves at home. A list of ways you can do the same: 1. Make the signs. 2. Airport/train/bus pickup for out-of-towners. 3. Pack their lunch…

  • Writing Prompts, Spellcheck, and Academic Advice

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    Ben East
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    There are many, many reasons not to read Flash Fiction Funny while riding public transportation. The first and perhaps best reason is Taylor Mali’s The the Impotence of Proofreading, which will leave you bent over double and wheezing for breath, the workaday passengers all around contemplating the emergency brake at the back of the train.…

  • Oh My God, Look at Her Butt

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    Ben East
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    Will Sing win a Golden Globe or other award this season? I hope so. The soundtrack brought out memories of David Bowie (Under Pressure), Leonard Cohen (Hallelujah), and George Michael. That, and its an inspiring story about overcoming obstacles to realize artistic passions. So even if on the surface the only thing your kids get…

  • I’d Rather Be Writing (or maybe talking about it)

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    Ben East
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    The American Foreign Service Association filmed a few short clips featuring my reflections on Two Pumps for the Body Man, the inspiration behind the novel, and my thoughts on the writing process. It isn’t exactly Zack Galifianakis Between Two Ferns (more like Some Guy and Bamboo) but I hope viewers will enjoy it when it becomes available.…

  • New Years Courage for the Novelist

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    Ben East
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    Three weeks on the road–Johannesburg, Paris, London, Myesore, Bangalore, Dehradun, Delhi–and a week recuperating in my lonely Northern Virginia retreat bring an end to the old year and fresh perspective for the new one. Appreciate all the digital colleagues and partners in crime who made 2016 a special year. Looking forward to staying connected, supporting each other, and…

  • When the Music Is the Trip

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    Ben East
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    Speed-reading fans will rejoice in Ted Prokash’s latest gift to literature, Journey to the Center of the Dream. Pills, beer, and blow fuel this fast-paced account of a rock band’s tour of 30 cities in five weeks, but even more than the chemical enhancements and a whole lot of weed besides, this epic road trip book…

  • December 06, 2004

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    Ben East
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    Remembering those we lost. Remembering those who survived. Remembering this awful day and its  protracted aftermath. It’s the aftermath that sticks most. The long period that stretched through weeks when our broken mission pulled itself together again. We pulled ourselves up from piles of ash and dust; from the pulverized concrete and glass shattered by bullets fired…

  • Foreign Service Blogs

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    Ben East
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    The Books & News blog finds itself in good company, listed among many others at the American Foreign Service Association’s round up of Foreign Service Blogs. They got me looking around at the work being posted by other diplomats and colleagues overseas. Here’s a summary of the first few. Address: TBD Recounts the early steps in the foreign service…

  • Black Fried Egg

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    Ben East
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    Cheap.