Tom Fasano – Tom Fasano

Hi, I am Tom Fasano

I am an unapologetic hack writer, blogger, and poet, and an obsessive writer of classical music cd reviews at www.classicalguy.com. The circle photos below are some recent photos I've snapped.

Spring and JVC’s Photo Advice

Tom FasanoArt, From the Desk of Tom Fasano, PhotographyApril 7, 2025 47

Me and my buddy at a ceramics exhibit

Shot of the snow on the mountains from the back parking lot of a grocery store.

Sandy inserting herself into the ceramic display

More of the show

Local side yard art I discovered on my daily walk

What’s left of the foundation of a former aviation museum

Beautiful African Iris along sidewalk

Posts about Photography

Living the Good Life

Tom FasanoFrom the Desk of Tom FasanoMarch 28, 2025 7

Some uncorrected proofs of the poem I typed on a roll of cashier’s receipt paper.

Tale of the Tape

Tom FasanoPoetryFebruary 28, 2025 36

So, yes, here is the tape rolled across my driveway. And, Yes, my yard needs some cleaning up after a few rare winter storms in my neck of the woods.

The poem unspooled from the Phomeme thermal printer like an EKG readout of a dying dream, line after heat-sensitive line, until the machine itself whispered the inevitable: a spectral blue strip, the color of an old lover’s veins. That was the ending, foretold by the medium itself — an apocalyptic omen baked into the banal mechanics of a cash register’s entrails.

And then my wife (Sandy) and I did what any two prophets of the mundane would do: we took that serpentine scripture, my holy writ of impulse and thermal imprints, and unfurled it in a madcap relay, watching it slither across the driveway like a tape measure of fleeting genius. It was a ticker-tape parade for two, a celebration of nothing and everything, as the wind attempted to edit my masterpiece, scattering syllables like the last words of the dying.

I used a plastic bucket to catch it as it emerged from my Phomeme thermal printer.

Posts about Poets

LA County Type-In

Tom FasanoTypewritersFebruary 21, 2025 15

I’m in the process or securing the use of the Claremont, CA, Helen Renwick Library to hold a type-in this May. For those who’ve done this sort of thing, organized them, etc., I have a few questions.

The library wants a $60 fee as well as proof of 1,000,000 liability insurance, which can be purchased for one day.

Are these fees usual for such an event? Would I be better off finding another site?

The facilities there are excellent. But I’ve never organized a type-in before (actually I’ve never attended one) and want to get some input from the Typosphere before I pull the trigger on the deal.

Posts about Typewriters

Blogging Theme for Typecasting

Tom FasanoFrom the Desk of Tom FasanoFebruary 17, 2025 7

Printing Poetry on a Thermal Printer

Tom FasanoWritingFebruary 10, 2025 35

Photo of the **Unabomber's** Montgomery Ward typewriter

Surviving My America

Tom FasanoTypewritersJanuary 25, 2025 71

I typed this post on a Montgomery Ward Signature 440T typewriter, similar to the one owned by the Unabomber

Bob Dylan’s Typewritten Draft Sells for $500,000

Tom FasanoPoets, SongwritersJanuary 22, 2025 35

Bob Dylan’s Draft of Lyrics, Once Tossed in Trash, Sells for $500,000. Typed and hand corrected, these analog artifacts offer an insight into the creative process that digital means cannot. The article says Dylan tossed the lyrics in the trash. Apparently, he must’ve kept a copy.

Every Star Trek Movie Ranked

Tom FasanoMovie ReviewsJanuary 21, 2025 20

Every Star Trek Movie, Ranked. I would rank “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” (1991) as Number 1. Just me.

Boston’s Last Typewriter Store Closing

Tom FasanoTypewritersJanuary 19, 2025 11

BOSTON – Cambridge Typewriter Co., the last remaining typewriter store in the Boston area, is set to close its doors in March 2025 after more than 50 years in business. The closure comes at a time when typewriters are experiencing an unexpected revival in popularity.

Tom Furrier, the store’s owner, has announced his retirement after 45 years of repairing, selling, and maintaining typewriters. The shop, located in Arlington, Massachusetts, has been a fixture in the community since 1968.

Despite the store’s impending closure, the typewriter industry has seen a resurgence in recent years. Sales of manual typewriters have increased, particularly among younger generations who are discovering these vintage machines for the first time.

Industry experts attribute this renewed interest to several factors:

1. Nostalgia for analog technology in an increasingly digital world
2. The appeal of a distraction-free writing environment
3. The tactile experience of using a mechanical device
4. The aesthetic value of typewriters as decorative items

However, the closure of Cambridge Typewriter Co. highlights a growing challenge in the industry: the scarcity of skilled technicians capable of repairing and maintaining these machines. As stores like Furrier’s close, typewriter enthusiasts may find it increasingly difficult to service their machines.

The store’s closure marks the end of an era for the Boston area, leaving typewriter aficionados to seek alternatives for purchasing and maintaining their beloved machines.

Despite this setback, the typewriter’s enduring appeal suggests that these classic writing instruments may continue to find new admirers in the digital age.

The Typewriter’s Return

Tom FasanoTypewritersJanuary 18, 2025 10

As a hack writer, I find the recent article Why the Typewriter Resurgence Matters for Democracy intriguing, especially its connection to democracy and the digital age. The author, Sheryl Oring, offers a unique insight into how a seemingly outdated technology is making a powerful comeback. Here’s my take on this fascinating trend.

Oring’s observation of the typewriter’s revival is not just about a vintage fad. It coincides with a broader cultural movement towards more intentional and secure communication. In an era dominated by digital screens and instant messaging, the typewriter’s tactile nature provides a refreshing change. As someone who has witnessed the impact of digital media on journalism, I can relate to the public’s growing desire for a more deliberate approach to information sharing.

The article beautifully captures the moment when Katharine Tito, a graphic design student, discovers the allure of the typewriter. The act of slowing down, carefully choosing words, and feeling the weight of each keystroke is a powerful experience. In our fast-paced world, this deliberate process encourages a deeper engagement with thoughts and words, something often lost in the digital realm.

Oring’s “I Wish to Say” project, where people dictate messages to U.S. presidents, highlights the typewriter’s role in fostering trust and connection. In an age of political polarization, this “radical listening” can bridge divides and encourage genuine dialogue. As journalists, we understand the importance of listening and creating spaces for diverse voices to be heard.

The typewriter’s resurgence is part of a larger trend, as young people seek real-world interactions beyond social media. From running groups to reading parties, there’s a renewed appreciation for face-to-face communication. This shift reminds us that, as journalists, we must remain connected to our audiences and communities, ensuring our work is not just about digital clicks but also about meaningful human connections.

The typewriter’s comeback is a fascinating phenomenon, offering valuable lessons for journalists and society at large. It encourages us to slow down, listen deeply, and reconsider our relationship with technology. As we navigate the challenges of the digital age, these lessons can help us strengthen democracy and foster more meaningful connections.

Fax Art

Tom FasanoArtDecember 12, 2024 17

I sent the fax to myself, something called a loopback fax. I do not actually own a fax machine (analog faxing). I pay for a fax service and can easily send the fax to myself. Also, my fax number is posted above. So send me your art if you’re equipped to do so.