Miscellaneous Mischief

Mark Lindquist's Blog

Greetings & Gratitude




Happy Thanksgiving! Fall is winning me over as a season. Gratitude and gravy, family and friends, a time to reflect on blessings and lollygag. As author, Holocaust survivor, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel said, "For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time… Continue Reading


Spring Fever


Mark Lindquist blog post Spring Fever 2023

Sun is shining, weather is warmer, so I’m posting the summer blog entry early. I hope you're enjoying this surprisingly bright spring and taking time to read. Books and Authors God bless anybody who spends the time to write a book, especially someone starting a new career. I am impressed… Continue Reading


New Years Day 2023


Happy new year from Mark Lindquist

Happy New Year "You can always begin again." Both Buddha and Bono said this so it must be true. For the Lindquist family, it's been a year of new beginnings, interesting firsts, and good stories. And, as I like to say, person who dies with the most stories wins. New… Continue Reading


Zen Lawyer


Zen Lawyer by Mark Lindquist

I’m grateful to be writing this from Bali. I’m taking a brief and beautiful break from one of my aviation cases in Indonesia.  There is something Zen about the vibe here, which made me think it was a fitting time to post Chapter One of my Zen Lawyer column from… Continue Reading


Happy 2022


Lindquists wish you a happy 2022

Here we go again. New year, new beginnings, new mutations.  Chelsea, Sloane and I have been fortunate to see most of you this year and we hope to see more of you in a glorious 2022. According to internet numerology, which you can always trust, “2022 stands for success and… Continue Reading


Willie Garson’s Friends




On September 21 my iPhone started buzzing with text messages from friends, some of whom I hadn't heard from in years or even decades. Willie Garson's death was tweeted by The New York Times as "Breaking News" and it echoed across the country. "Amazing how much love he's getting nationally,"… Continue Reading


Back from Borneo


Mark Lindquist in Borneo

Indonesia continues to intrigue. On this trip, our band went up river all the way to Borneo. We represent 17 victim families from the crash of Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ 182 outside of Jakarta. There are both similarities and differences with our successful lawsuit against Boeing in the crash of… Continue Reading


Happy New Year 2021


Foreign editions of Mark Lindquist novels

Today, January 31, is the last day I greet people with "Happy New Year!" I am always enthused about starting a new year. I'm extra enthused this year. We sent out our New Year e-card with a Lindquist family update on New Year's Day. If you're not already on our… Continue Reading


Gratitude


Happy Thanksgiving from Mark Lindquist, Chelsea, and Sloane Lindquist

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. At least that's how I feel today. This is the day to do what we should do every day: give thanks, acknowledge our blessings, live with gratitude. Marcus Aurelius begins Book One of Meditations with a gratitude list. Specifically, he thanks people who taught him… Continue Reading


Summertime Blues


Author and attorney Mark Lindquist's daughter Sloane Lindquist

What's "the best live rock album ever" according to music critic Nik Cohn at The New York Times? Hint: it features a 15-minute version of "My Generation." Yes, "Live at Leeds." The Who. There are only six tracks on the original LP, while the CD has 14 songs. Both versions… Continue Reading


Coming Together by Staying Apart


Mark Lindquist says Don't Come Together

Welcome to this special coronavirus quarantine edition of my blog. While this post lacks my usual book and movie recommendations, there are some life lessons with levity. Decades ago, Kurt Vonnegut said, “How should we behave during this Apocalypse? We should be unusually kind to one another, certainly. But we… Continue Reading


End of the World


Mark Lindquist on the end of the world

News reports allege 38% of Americans blame Corona beer for the coronavirus. Maybe it’s fake news, maybe it’s true. Either way, I’m back in the U.S. after working in Jakarta and visiting Tokyo and it’s weird here.  As a comedian on Twitter observed, this is a time for us to… Continue Reading


Happy New Year 2020


Mark Lindquist New Year newsletter with Chelsea and Sloane Lindquist

Chelsea and I went fully digital with our New Year card this year. If you missed it, lament not, it's still online. We appreciate all of you who stay in contact with us through the email list, thank you. In case you don't recognize the giant Adirondack chair in the… Continue Reading


Books Are Best Gifts


Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday

Happy Thanksgiving. Christmas is coming. 'Tis the season for gratitude and books. Books are, of course, the best gifts. While a bottle of single malt Islay Scotch is nothing to scoff at, liquor is still second to literature. I'm defining literature broadly to include "the entire body of writings of… Continue Reading


Planes, Trains and Automobiles


Mark Lindquist Tacoma Weekly Cover Story

Matt Nagle at the Tacoma Weekly wrote a smart cover story about the transition. It's a good read, though I might have titled it, "Planes Trains and Automobiles." Life Quotes One of my rules is to not read about myself. I broke the rule for this article. People suggested I… Continue Reading


Independence Day


Lindquist beach house flag on Independence Day

I hope you enjoyed Independence Day. For the first time in a decade, I skipped the bands and the salmon bakes and the parades and escaped to our family beach place. It was awesome. Sloane loved hanging out with her cousins, taking boat rides, and playing on the beach. Seaside… Continue Reading


Global Safety


Aviation attorney Mark Lindquist in Jakarta

Some news is fake, but it's still cool to wake up in Jakarta and see your case on the front page of The New York Times next to a teaser about an old friend and fine writer, Bret Ellis. After reading the interview, which was more profile than dialogue, I… Continue Reading


Carnival Desires, German Edition


Carnival Desire by Mark Lindquist, German Edition

Thanks to German novelist Alice Winter for this cool spring shot of the German edition of Carnival Desires. The English version is available on Kindle. Vanity Fair called it a "witty, minimalist epic." Details magazine said it was "great postmodern literature." Published in 1990, it chronicles the adventures of a group of… Continue Reading


Lion Air Lawsuit


Aviation Attorney Mark Lindquist in Indonesia

I recently returned from another trip to Indonesia. We now represent 26 of the victim families in the Lion Air crash. Our case continues to gain strength. On the other side of the globe, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crashed on a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. There… Continue Reading


Suing Boeing


Mark Lindquist joins Herrmann Law Group sues Boeing

On behalf of the families of 17 victims of the Lion Air crash in Indonesia, we filed a lawsuit against Boeing. You can read about it on my lawyer website or watch Q13 coverage. These families are heartbroken and need vigorous representation. In short, our lawsuit alleges two main points. One, Boeing… Continue Reading


Splendid Moments, Memorable Adventures


Author and aviation attorney Mark Lindquist joins the Herrmann Law Group

"This is a brief life, but in its brevity it offers us some splendid moments, memorable adventures," Rudyard Kipling observed. I've written a few words about our lawsuit against Lion Air on my Medium page. And I'm continuing to add photos to my Instagram, which is now my primary social… Continue Reading


Back In the USA


American novelist Mark Lindquist reading Indonesian novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Back in the U.S. after more than a month working in Indonesia. I documented the adventure on my Instagram. In January I joined a personal injury firm where I've been representing a large number of family members who lost loved ones in the crash of Lion Air 610 out of… Continue Reading


Happy New Year 2019


Mark Lindquist wishes readers a happy new year.

Happy new year!  “And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done." Here is my 2018 year-end list of books and movies. These are not necessarily the best.… Continue Reading


Sometimes in Winter


Home page for author and attorney Mark Lindquist

Wherever I go I feel at home when I see my books or my friends' books on the shelves. Books are the best gifts and that's what I'm buying this holiday season. My recommendations include anything by Ryan Holiday, particularly The Obstacle is the Way and Trust Me, I'm Lying,… Continue Reading


Mahalo and Carnival Desires


Mark Lindquist blogs about gratitude, holidays, and his novel Carnival Desires

Happy Thanksgiving and Mahalo! As Maya Angelou said, "Be present in all things and grateful for all things." Back from a holiday in Hawaii, the Lindquists are feeling the Mahalo spirit. You can see more pictures on my Instagram. I've updated my Medium page and included a review of Carnival… Continue Reading


Thank You


Mark Lindquist thanks supporters.

I'm grateful for the support, assistance, and friendship through three elections. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ve kept my faith that public service and politics are a noble endeavor. I'm proud of the campaign we ran and the contributions our supporters made, bringing much needed graciousness… Continue Reading


#Vote


Vote to keep our Prosecutor Mark Lindquist

Trees are bending, leaves are flying, election season is ending. I appreciate everyone who stepped up to help our campaign. We focused on public safety and public service and had a good time. At our last event of the '18 season at the Swiss in Tacoma, I played "Wild Thing" and… Continue Reading


Writers and Public Officials


Mark Lindquist invokes the Kennedy brothers

This week I spoke at the City Club of Tacoma.   My closing was atypical in that I focused less on public safety and more on public affairs. In my opening, I discussed our innovative initiatives to make the community safer and reform the justice system, but in closing I told… Continue Reading


Transgressive Fiction


Author Mark Lindquist and actress Molly Ringwald in the New York Post

Here's a new literary website for you: transgressivefiction. It's pretty cool. And God knows the world needs more readers now. People sometimes ask if I read a piece about myself or my work and the answer is always, "No."  When I was a young novelist, my editor advised me against… Continue Reading


August Activities


Author Mark Lindquist daughter Sloane Lindquist wearing a Keep Our Prosecutor t-shirt

The events are endless, from street fairs to community celebrations, but for Sloane it is always about face painting. Chelsea and I appreciate all of you who greet us, share stories, and encourage us to keep up the good fight. We are grateful for the volunteers who continue to step up.… Continue Reading


Summertime


Keep Our Prosecutor Mark Lindquist

It's summertime, and the livin' is busy. Chelsea, Sloane, and I have been all over the county, from the Gig Harbor Maritime Parade to Meeker Days in Puyallup to the Buckley Log Show. We appreciate seeing friends everywhere we go. Pierce County is big, diverse, and friendly. I appreciate every… Continue Reading


Keep Our Prosecutor


Prosecutor Mark Lindquist, Chelsea, and Sloane Lindquist

Keep our community safe, keep our prosecutor. That's what good people in Pierce County are saying this year. I'm a career Prosecutor going into my tenth year. Time does fly. I've been appointed, elected, and re-elected. Now I'm running again to keep serving. Our public safety successes have been remarkable… Continue Reading


Kickoff Concert with The Beatniks


Mark Lindquist Kickoff Concert with Peter Buck and The Beatniks

The Keep Our Prosecutor Kickoff Concert with The Beatniks is Saturday, April 14, at 6 pm. Join us, thanks! Tacoma Mayor Woodards will welcome the crowd, Detective Ed Troyer will serve as Emcee, and The Beatniks will rock the Landmark Temple Theatre in Tacoma! We expect musical guest stars as… Continue Reading


Happy New Year 2018


Mark Lindquist Superhero with Sloane Lindquist

Happy new year! I've updated my "Have a Pleasant New Year" article, a precursor to my "Zen Lawyer" column. I hope you experience plenty of pleasantness this year. Chelsea, Sloane and I are always enthusiastic about the spirit of adventure and growth inherent in a new year. Possibilities. If you are… Continue Reading


Happy Thanksgiving


Mark Lindquist's daughter dancing on the beach

Happy Thanksgiving! "Gratitude is not only the greatest of all the virtues, but the parent of all others." Marcus Cicero Ladenburg, Strickland, Lindquist. Sounds like a law firm, but it's actually the co-authors of an editorial on Tacoma, the city we are grateful for. We compare Tacoma's past reputation with… Continue Reading


Commencement Speech


Mark Lindquist gives commencement speech

I was happy to honor the 2017 graduates of Clover Park Technical College as their commencement speaker. There was a contagious spirit of initiative, adventure, and accomplishment in the Tacoma Dome. Here is the text of my speech, which was titled #fivehashtags. In an early draft, I included one of my… Continue Reading


Carnival Desires Redux


Mark Lindquist's second novel Carnival Desires

In June of 1992, Atlantic Monthly Press published my second novel, Carnival Desires. Details magazine called it, “Great postmodern literature. Romantic and cynical, true and original, full of modern ideas and seductive moments … " Vanity Fair called it, "a witty minimalist epic." Now I'm older and it's available on… Continue Reading


Happy New Year 2016


Prosecutor Mark Lindquist and family

Happy new year! "Tomorrow is the first page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." Brad Paisley, a country music star, wrote this. My musical taste generally runs a different direction, but I like this line. I wrapped up my "Zen Lawyer" column for Pierce County Lawyer this year.… Continue Reading


Signed Books and Spirits Auction


Never Mind Nirvana by author and attorney Mark Lindquist

Please join us November 17, 2016, at Kings Books in Tacoma, 7pm, for our 8th Annual Signed Books and Spirits Auction. #KeepOurProsecutor Guest star auctioneers will be auctioning off signed books from Governor Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative Denny Heck, and, of course, me. New York Times bestselling authors Maria Semple… Continue Reading


So You Wanna Be


Mark Lindquist playing guitar with Peter Buck of R.E.M.

Highlight of 2016 -- so far -- was playing guitar with Peter Buck of R.E.M. and the Beatniks at our summer celebration.  A great time was had by hundreds. You can find pics and vids at www.marklindquist.org or my Facebook page. Our next event will be the 8th Annual Signed Book and… Continue Reading


Happy Mid-Year


Sloane Lindquist dances to the music of The Beatniks and Peter Buck of R.E.M. at Mark Lindquist fundraiser

Happy mid-year! If you're in the NW, please join The Beatniks and surprise guests at our family-friendly summer celebration at Ruston Plaza, Saturday, July 30, 2 pm. For more details, go to our Facebook Event page, thank you. Zen Lawyer, Chapter 13, features one of my favorite riffs about integrity and quality… Continue Reading


Zen Lawyer and Meditation


Zen Lawyer by Mark Lindquist

My Instagram account just went public. Zen Lawyer, chapter 10, features a crash course on one-minute meditation. Try it. I continue to write book reviews for the Seattle Times, including, most recently, "Breem Gives Me Hiccups & Other Stories" by Jesse Eisenberg, star of "The Social Network." In the never… Continue Reading


Maybe


Author Mark Lindquist's daughter Sloane Lindquist with umbrella

Closing out a good 2014, looking forward to a good 2015. In addition to various community and family activities, I was re-elected with more than 96% of the vote against a write-in candidate, I successfully tried another murder case, made progress on a new novel, wrote book reviews for The Seattle… Continue Reading


Kickoff Concert


Mark Lindquist, Chelsea, and Sloane Lindquist at kickoff concert

I'm running for reelection. We have everything you would want in a campaign, except an opponent. Robert F. Kennedy said, "About twenty percent of the people are opposed to everything all of the time," but I still picked up more than 96% of the vote in the primary. The kick-off… Continue Reading


Sports, Law, and Life Lessons


Author and Attorney Mark Lindquist

John McGrath wrote a good story about an unusually entertaining Continuing Legal Education class featuring sports, law, and life lessons. In summary, be cool. Mary Ann Gwinn, the blessed Books Editor for The Seattle Times, put together an honorable tribute for the 40th Anniversary of Elliott Bay Books in Seattle.… Continue Reading


Interview with Molly Ringwald


Author Mark Lindquist and actress Molly Ringwald

"When it Happens to You," Molly Ringwald's "novel in stories," is out in paperback. I interviewed Molly for The Oregonian.  We talked music, books, and the Bad Old Days. Speaking of the Bad Old Days, in 2001 I interviewed Peter Buck for the Hartford Courant. We talked music, books, and the… Continue Reading


Welcome to My Blog


Author Mark Lindquist's first blog entry

Welcome to my updated author website.  Thanks for visiting. I also have a Facebook, an attorney website, and a Goodreads page. I will mostly used this blog to recommend books, movies, life lessons and so on. I will also posts links to articles I've written or read. “The purpose of a… Continue Reading