tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53571092011-04-21T23:10:36.429-04:00"The only proper response to such ponderously aggressive asininity is a persistent campaign of savage public ridicule."NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comBlogger2971100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-58590003060054003572008-01-07T17:12:00.000-05:002008-01-07T17:18:14.412-05:00

What am I doing? Project 365.I didn't start on January 1. In fact, my first photograph of the year is from Thursday, January 3, and it is this:My sister Rachel and our two-year-old cousin Haden, who's astride ancient Horseback Bob. Haden was visiting along with her sister Ellen (who stole my birthdate), their mother Martha, their Aunt Gail and our cousin Courtney.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1131283441890058902005-11-06T08:23:00.000-05:002005-11-06T08:24:01.900-05:00

I seem more or less to have switched over to LiveJournal. Will I ever use blogger again? Who knows? Probably I'll find a use for it. In the meantime, I can be found here.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1128391058002734362005-10-03T21:49:00.000-04:002005-10-03T21:57:38.010-04:00

Yom Tov, Shanah Tovah, yes, it's the New Year. And I've become what I don't like: one of those guys who only goes to shul on the big holidays. I wouldn't even do that, but seeing as I'm living at home at the moment, it's not worth fighting with my parents about. When I expressed my mild displeasure with going to synagogue, my father snapped a bit. Started going on about how I need the

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1128273423277741832005-10-02T13:08:00.000-04:002005-10-02T18:58:13.663-04:00

I saw Serenity yesterday, and it was exactly what I expected: great fun. Not perfect; it had its flaws. But it was certainly the best science fiction film of the year and probably the last decade. You can find gushing reviews everywhere, so I'm not going to repeat them all -- just go out and do me a favor and see it. Of course I saw it alone, so had no one with whom to share my enthusiasm,

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1128011148901522142005-09-29T11:55:00.000-04:002005-09-29T12:25:48.910-04:00

I like "heroic fantasy" as much as the next guy. Actually, chances are I like it a good deal more than any given next guy. And I'm always looking for exciting new stuff. So when I heard about Lords of Swords, I was naturally a little excited. It contained stories by E. E. Knight and Vera Nazarian, both of whose work I like, as well as stories by several established names, and some by writers

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127752626008010742005-09-26T12:24:00.000-04:002005-09-26T12:37:06.016-04:00

There's a certain phenomenon I've noticed. My dad has, too, in his workplace. And it is this: people are so concerned with being nice that they forget actually to do work at work. Now, I have no problem with being nice. Far from it. I like to think I'm a generally nice guy. I have, in fact, been told more than once that I'm often too nice for my own good. But there's nice and there's nice.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127578557894878972005-09-24T12:09:00.000-04:002005-09-24T12:15:57.900-04:00

Well, my dad's on his way home from CA now. He's switching planes in Phoenix as we speak, and will be home around 1800 if all goes well.Here, it's an absolutely beautiful day. The 95 degree armpit weather of the past few days has broken. The sun's out, the sky's blue, there's a fantastic breeze blowing. I walked Caleb down by the river for the first time in a couple weeks. Last time I got

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127495689491348972005-09-23T13:13:00.000-04:002005-09-23T13:14:49.496-04:00

Remember I announced a few days ago that there's a new Tim Powers novel coming? Well, here's the blurb:When 12-year-old Daphne Marrity steals a videotape of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure from her grandmother's house, neither she nor her college-professor father, Frank Marrity, have any idea that the theft has drawn the attention of both the Israeli Secret Service and an ancient European organization

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127261023164259772005-09-22T07:57:00.000-04:002005-09-22T11:43:19.733-04:00

So, you want to read the best debut novel of the year? Not only that, but one of the greatest, most interesting books of the year, debut or otherwise? Check out Hal Duncan's Vellum, the first half of his two-book sequence The Book of All Hours. What's it about? Duncan says:I know I had a lot of fun trying to come up with a blurb. Hearing that movie trailer voice in your head can make you come

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127134547827541372005-09-19T08:43:00.000-04:002005-09-19T14:24:42.923-04:00

You know one of the only downsides to fall and winter? All the tasty vegetation is out of season.A couple days ago, I watched the two new trailers for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. To my surprise, it actually looks like fun, and my guess is it will be my favorite of the Potter films to date. The first two were rubbish, and the third, though visually interesting, wasn't paced very well.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127099222896144552005-09-18T22:56:00.000-04:002005-09-18T23:07:02.903-04:00

This morning started off like most Sunday mornings: take the recyclables out, go get some bagels, get my little sister to Sunday School, get home. Except this time I didn't. Get home, that is. You see, my block is a circle. The only way out is onto the parkway, and this morning there was some kind of race or run on the parkway. The roads off of it were cordoned off and everything. Honestly,

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1127010657648933852005-09-17T21:12:00.000-04:002005-09-17T23:01:15.710-04:00

Before I start on today's entry, I just want to make a quick FYI. Whenever I link to a book, movie, CD or anything on Amazon, I'm linking to the edition I've read, watched, or listened to. With books or movies this usually doesn't make much difference, but with music, almost anything I mention will have 50 or 60 different recordings. Since I'm not the enthusiast of the sort who can afford that

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1126890161682498742005-09-16T12:37:00.000-04:002005-09-17T10:02:10.406-04:00

Recently, I've been listening to a lot of Russian ballets: Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, Stravinsky's The Firebird, and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. The latter in particular has been stuck in my head for a couple weeks. Brilliant stuff. But I've put all that aside for the moment to listen to a set with an irresistable title: EPICS: The History of the World According to

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1126576766159731222005-09-12T21:54:00.000-04:002005-09-17T11:26:27.000-04:00

It's been so long since I've blogged (and I'm still surprised every time I use the word blog at all, let alone as a verb) that I don't really know where to start or even what to say.As you may or may not know, I went to Poland in July with my father, his father, and my siblings. My grandfather's a Holocaust survivor from Poland, but hadn't been back. We toured through the southern half of the

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1126276018770496552005-09-09T10:26:00.000-04:002005-09-09T10:26:58.776-04:00

From Caity:Leave your name and I'll1. I'll respond with something random about you.2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1125450988109462152005-08-30T21:15:00.000-04:002005-08-30T21:16:28.113-04:00

Happy birthday, Liz! Happy birthday, Chris!

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1125343115000230132005-08-29T15:16:00.000-04:002005-08-29T15:18:35.006-04:00

22 today. This year's going to see some big changes for me. It's all very exciting.I've probably no credibility left, assuming I ever had any, but I sincerely intend to get back to blogging soon.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1124479708868448872005-08-19T15:27:00.000-04:002005-08-19T21:10:14.820-04:00

As of right now, I have a new cousin. Please welcome Haden Katri Lodge Helojoki into the world.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1120879116952958842005-07-08T23:16:00.000-04:002005-07-08T23:18:36.956-04:00

No updates for the next couple weeks. I'm off to Poland until July 21. Anyone needs anything from Poland, now's the time to let me know.I've got a fairly large pile of nice new books to plow through when I get back, so maybe I'll actually get back to litblogging (or blogging at all), but that depends on how well my mother recuperates from her surgery, scheduled for the 26th, among other

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1119890427830789862005-06-27T11:56:00.000-04:002005-06-27T13:03:06.753-04:00

I haven't updated in a while, and I have some time, so here goes. . .Things I've done in the past few weeks that may potentially be of some interest:I spent an extended weekend down in Richmond and then Williamsburg. In Richmond I stayed a couple days with my three great-aunts as I do annually. Just caught up with them, enjoyed the company and the anecdotes (The worst thing my my Aunt Flora's

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1119659230774984352005-06-24T20:26:00.000-04:002005-06-24T20:27:10.780-04:00

"Be not bold, be fucking BOLD. Every time you meet someone, make a fucking impression. Make them think you're the hottest shit in the world. Make them think they're gonna lose their job if they don't give you one. Look 'em in the eye, and never look away. Be confident and calm, be fucking bold." - James Frey, MY FRIEND LEONARDthanks to Jonathan Carroll

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118744183958432982005-06-14T06:15:00.000-04:002005-06-14T06:16:23.963-04:00

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.Here are this year's winners:1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.3. Bozone (n.):

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118636190100101272005-06-13T00:15:00.000-04:002005-06-13T00:16:30.106-04:00

I'm going to keep an ongoing list of books I've read and movies I've watched since graduation. Very simple. The link is on the sidebar.That is all for tonight.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118505391660235452005-06-11T11:50:00.000-04:002005-06-11T11:56:31.666-04:00

I recently read Connie Willis' new novella, Inside Job. It's short, and as a limited edition quite expensive, but it's a lot of fun. It's about a couple of skeptics, professional "debunkers" who discredit psychics, and what happens when they chance upon a psychic who seems genuinely to be channelling the great spirit H.L. Mencken. Par for the course for Willis, it's fun and funny and pretty

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118347117389341582005-06-09T15:57:00.000-04:002005-06-09T15:58:37.393-04:00

Cut a tomato into wedges. Dump a can of tunafish on top of it. Dump slices of avocado on top of that. Enjoy.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118263435490229702005-06-08T16:11:00.000-04:002005-06-08T16:43:55.496-04:00

Well, I saw Revenge of the Sith, and it is garbage. Vying with Attack of the Clones for worst film of the franchise. Really, I was stupendously disappointed with Episode II. Even going in, I knew it would be bad, but like a faithful fanboy, I went in, having heard all the glowing reviews, hoping for the best, and exited disgusted. There were others who agreed with me, though they were few:

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118231428872016902005-06-08T07:45:00.000-04:002005-06-08T07:50:28.876-04:00

When I got home from college about a week ago, I weighed more than I ever had in my life. I think I was about ten pounds heavier than I had ever been. This is mostly because in my last month before graduation, I got virtually no exercise at all. I was pretty much completely sedentary, just reading and studying and writing and all that, without even my long walks. In addition, I'd been eating

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1118153512433709392005-06-07T09:53:00.000-04:002005-06-07T10:12:08.643-04:00

It's going around, and since I was tagged by Rob, I figured what the heck.1. Total number of books I own:Oh, boy. Um. Let's see. Not counting fiction that my sister owns but that I read (Bellow, Irving, DeLillo, etc.), non-fiction, media tie-in stuff with words and phrases like Star Wars, Conan, or Star Trek on the cover, YA stuff by people with names like L'Engle, Cooper or Bellairs, or

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1117997014997017452005-06-05T14:43:00.000-04:002005-06-05T14:43:35.003-04:00

FATED TO SURVIVE... FOR NOWYou've obviously read the guidebooks, but how longcan you rely on other people's wisdom? You muststrive to survive on your own, but it isprobably a futile struggle - your luck will runout in the end. Ambergris has few survivors. How Would You Fare in Ambergris? brought to you by Quizilla

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1117803123599302802005-06-03T08:51:00.000-04:002005-06-03T08:52:03.610-04:00

Ten Most Harmful Books of the 19th and 20th CenturiesNo commentary is necessary.Regular blogging will resume shortly.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116961582100628542005-05-24T14:37:00.000-04:002005-05-24T15:06:22.110-04:00

Welsh absurdist Rhys Hughes is one of my favorite writers. Has been ever since I read his Nowhere Near Milkwood sometime in 2002 or early 2003. I had at that time never, I think, had more fun reading a book. So I proceeded to track down pretty much everything with his name on the cover. My collection now includes:Worming the Harpy and other Bitter PillsRawhead & Bloody Bones and Elusive

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116946371993862392005-05-24T10:34:00.000-04:002005-05-24T10:52:52.000-04:00

I'm sure most of you already have heard about this, but in the event that you haven't, author and good guy Robert Sheckley is sick in a hospital in Kiev, and his family can't afford to keep up his continuing care and get him back to the states. There's a Paypal account set up for donations, if anyone can spare anything.Paul Verhoeven's next movie, the long-delayed (for health reasons) WWII

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116812111396440492005-05-22T21:08:00.000-04:002005-05-22T21:36:52.390-04:00

I'd like to take a couple minutes to talk about John Crowley, because he's one America's very finest writers (I've blogged about him before, more than once). He has a new novel coming out on June 14 called Lord Byron's Novel: The Evening Land. I first heard about this a little less than a year ago when, in this interview, he said this:I’m just finishing a novel which could be described as being

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116769846648442842005-05-22T09:44:00.000-04:002005-05-22T10:20:20.680-04:00

Last year, I made not a bad woman. This year, I let Steph make me up, and I turned out absolutely hideous:Here's me at the Drag Ball with Steve:Here's Janet, alias Ganit, with Kamarra, who's the Devil, and my roommate Craig, aka Bruce:This is our H4H group in WV. It's big, so I'm just going to link to it. Standing, l-r, are Nanette, Sam, Matt, Gretchen, Me, Kirstin, Annie, Craig, Amanda, Lisle

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116697869462113352005-05-21T13:46:00.000-04:002005-05-21T13:51:09.466-04:00

So, here I am, a week from graduation . . . and I get this email from a member of the English dept (it's also addressed to the three other graduating creative writing majors):as i mentioned before, the last responsibility you have for the english dept. at hartwick is to participate in a reading for creative writing types - after baccalaureate, at 7:15 pm to be precise (unless bacc. runs late,

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116590346798774212005-05-20T07:57:00.000-04:002005-05-20T07:59:06.803-04:00

Goodness! As usual, I forgot at the commons not to be surprised that the eggs retain a temperature of about seven million degrees. You're lucky if your fingertips don't melt or simply combust as you're trying to peel them. Very lucky if you can crack 'em just right so half the shell comes off at one pull, and you can dump the egg out of the other half.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116460379358172012005-05-18T19:35:00.000-04:002005-05-18T20:04:53.953-04:00

MP George Galloway v the US Senate:I told the world that Iraq, contrary to your claims did not have weapons of mass destruction. I told the world, contrary to your claims, that Iraq had no connection to al-Qaeda. I told the world, contrary to your claims, that Iraq had no connection to the atrocity on 9/11 2001. I told the world, contrary to your claims, that the Iraqi people would resist a

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1116183500666140652005-05-15T14:22:00.000-04:002005-05-15T15:02:40.510-04:00

Well, there's good news for you who share my literary tastes but whose budget can't accomodate hardcovers. Jeff Ford's The Girl in the Glass (about which I've previously posted), due out in August, has been downgraded by the publisher from a hardcover to a paperback. According to Jeff, "They don't believe the book will sell well in hardcover because, as they put it, it is so different from my

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115689107422436182005-05-09T21:36:00.000-04:002005-05-09T21:38:27.426-04:00

Just in case anyone's interesting, there's a short Aimee Bender story online: "Appleless"I'm not much of a fan of short-short stories, but I am certainly looking forward to her new collection, Wilfull Creatures, in a few months.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115657424458426652005-05-09T12:40:00.000-04:002005-05-09T12:52:35.496-04:00

Okay, my AmeriCorps interview is on Tuesday May 17 at 1:00 PM. Don't let me forget.Also, I know it's short notice, but Gary Alan Wassner, author of The Twins, The Awakening and The Shards as well as the forthcoming The Revenge of the Elves and When Monsters Call Out The Names Of Men will be speaking tonight at 8:00 at Book Revue:Book Revue is a family owned independent bookstore located on Long

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115610353462021752005-05-08T23:12:00.000-04:002005-05-08T23:45:53.596-04:00

My parents were so cute this morning. We were discussing where we should go on vacation this year. The issue is complicated because mom's got a bad knee and can't walk much at the moment, so she's volunteered to stay home this year rather than frustrate everyone by not being able to do much. Alaska came up, as usual. When dad left the room, mom said I should encourage him to go to Alaska.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115598514767598422005-05-08T20:28:00.000-04:002005-05-08T20:28:34.780-04:00

Robot You are 57% Rational, 0% Extroverted, 28% Brutal, and 14% Arrogant. You are the Robot! You are characterized by your rationality. In fact,this is really ALL you are characterized by. Like a cold, heartlessmachine, you are so logical and unemotional that you scarcely seemhuman. For instance, you are very humble and don't bother thinking ofyour own interests, you are very gentle and

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115515714977128582005-05-07T20:53:00.000-04:002005-05-07T21:30:52.263-04:00

Today was quite a summerish day. Warmer out than I'm accustomed to. Quite nice.I went out and played with the dogs for a few minutes this morning. When I came in, Caleb was sitting out there crying. Kind of pathetic, but it was very hard not to go back out and play with him some more. I did get all the pool furniture out from the basement and the garage and the porch and arranged around the

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115473204059996542005-05-07T09:35:00.000-04:002005-05-07T09:40:44.283-04:00

I saw Kingdom of Heaven this weekend. The trailers mostly sucked. War of the Worlds, Revenge of the Sith and The Island are going to suck, I’m quite sure. Mr. and Mrs. Smith will suck, too, but might do so in an amusing manner. (And, tangentially, am I the only guy on the planet who doesn’t find Angelina Jolie attractive?) The Greatest Game Ever Played looked exactly like every other

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1115386572808405722005-05-06T09:21:00.000-04:002005-05-06T09:37:44.643-04:00

Well, I'm home. Caleb, the big dog, was extraordinarily excited to see me. Scout, the little one, didn't remember me. It was good getting home. Good to walk Caleb, and to eat real food. To see the family.Of course, all is not well. The computer doesn't work (I'm on my brother's computer while he's at school; I can't get online from home on my school laptop because it doesn't meet the newest

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114995157139616302005-05-04T20:38:00.000-04:002005-05-04T20:57:53.930-04:00

I gave blood today. No problems, as usual. Did better than expected on a quiz, so that's good. Best of all, going home tomorrow. Should be an excellent weekend. Except I'm most unforuntately going to miss both Orchesis and Clara, it seems.I've seen a lot of movies recently. I finally saw Casablanca, which I liked a lot more than I expected to. It was practically perfect in every way.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114976466398466432005-05-01T15:06:00.000-04:002005-05-01T19:35:35.976-04:00

. . .until graduation. That's right. Less than a month, and I'm out of here.Today was the "Senior Brunch," which was reasonably well attended. They served us food that was moderately better than commons fare, though still not very good. They also served us champagne, which was good, but only one glass -- excuse me, flute -- per person. Nobody was quite sure what to wear, so some people

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114789623777149112005-04-29T11:30:00.000-04:002005-04-29T14:28:24.043-04:00

I'm engaged in what might by some be called an argument. The reason I say "might" is that the other guy's argument is not an argument but a whine, and it amounts to this: "You don't like this book by a writer I like, and I'm upset that you dared to say so." This, not being much of a position, is hard to refute, but since he keeps making baseless assumptions and allegations about me, and keeps

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114702908443242602005-04-28T11:37:00.000-04:002005-04-28T11:42:23.526-04:00

Click this banner:And then buy the book. Because Caitlín R. Kiernan is a writer worth your time. As, by the way, was Charles Fort, if you can dig up his random stuff.Also, don't forget Cthulhu Senryu by Nick Mamatas:Coming in mid-MayPre-order your signed copyFrom Wildside Press. YAY!Only eight dollarsThe Great Old Ones will consumeYour soul for less, pal.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114619569314639922005-04-27T11:51:00.000-04:002005-04-27T14:39:09.036-04:00

I'm reading, for class, Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day. It's fantastic. Must be one of the saddest stories I've ever read. Highly recommended. It's very probable that I will, in the immediate future, be reading his new novel, Never Let Me Go, which I was planning on reading eventually but which, based on the power of The Remains of the Day, got bumped pretty much to the top of the

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114362186578127622005-04-24T13:01:00.000-04:002005-04-24T22:23:23.406-04:00

My quotations page is now up. There's also a link on the sidebar. It's a first draft, very basic. I'll probably pretty it up at some point, and perhaps rearrange the quotations by topic/theme instead of just a massive alphabetical list. I don't agree with all my quotations, but I do or did at one point see something worthwhile in each and every one of them.And I think the three most quotable

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114273396238115842005-04-23T12:17:00.000-04:002005-04-23T14:12:53.713-04:00

I think I smell. Don't know why, exactly, but I've always been convinced that I'm a smelly individual. And recently, there have been enough isolated incidences of people jokingly saying I smell to get me wondering again. So I asked a few people, and it turns out that not only do I not smell bad -- I don't smell at all. Most people have a distinctive personal smell that I apparently do not

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114194798109422332005-04-22T14:00:00.000-04:002005-04-23T12:26:16.940-04:00

I recommend not sneezing while you're shaving, especially in such a fashion that the blade runs sideways across your face, resulting in what feels like a really nasty papercut. Can't complain too much, though -- I just nicked the top of my lip, and this is the first time I've ever cut myself shaving.There's been a lot of e-drama these past few days. Chouinard got *pissed* and dissociated

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1114139810228861342005-04-21T23:15:00.000-04:002005-04-23T12:25:30.060-04:00

R1.5 says: Thing is, people don't know how to relate any more.People don't read books anymore; they skim them. And then wonder why they weren't affected and why people consider these books to be so great. Er, they're considered to be great by people who weren't afraid to drop their defenses and let the books work down into their hearts.People do the same thing with music. No one listens to music

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1113880429242798242005-04-18T22:42:00.000-04:002005-04-18T23:16:27.453-04:00

So, what's been happening lately? I'm glad you asked.Over the past week, I've seen a couple movies: Sin City and Meet the Fockers. Surprisingly, the former was funnier. Fockers was mostly very unfunny in terms of the material, though a few of the actors, particularly Dustin Hoffman, managed to do well with it and it earned some laughs. Sin City, on the other hand, was a riot through and

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1113538121497920922005-04-15T00:08:00.000-04:002005-04-15T00:08:41.496-04:00

This site makes me happy and sad.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1113447801969639362005-04-13T22:35:00.000-04:002005-04-13T23:03:21.983-04:00

Apparently our pool was opened last week, and as ever when you open a pool, it's green and slimy and fairly gross until you clean it. And now, it's also got ducks. Yes, a pair of ducks have taken a liking to our pool. Caleb barks at him, but apparently 150 pounds of loud energetic white fluff don't intimidate ducks, because they disregard him completely. When he's inside, they come out and

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1112994863678808802005-04-08T17:13:00.000-04:002005-04-08T17:20:12.826-04:00

Not much time, but I thought I'd alert anyone who cares that there's a new Jonathan Carroll story online: "The Bum Who Smelled Like a Sandwich"Also, a loud and hearty congratulations to Bob for selling a story to Polyphony 5. You're in some damned fine company there, Bob. It's about time.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1112744536682864072005-04-05T19:17:00.000-04:002005-04-07T12:16:38.196-04:00

I've got some more pictures, but don't have time to crop and upload them at the moment, so they'll have to wait for another day. I have a paper to write tonight, and an exam tomorrow, which has me less than terribly excited. I did, however, have returned today the three exams I took before setting off for West Virginia. I thought I'd gotten maybe two Bs and a C; I was pleasantly surprised to

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1112637031236762922005-04-04T13:41:00.001-04:002005-04-04T14:03:19.210-04:00

Well, the pictures are beginning to come in from West Virginia. The first batch are not from my mates at all but from another of the groups there that week, from Canisius. I only made it into two of their pictures. In the first, I'm sitting in the background, staring intently, it would seem, at something; the three lovely ladies in the foreground are, left to right, Kate, Annie and Courtney:In

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1112629163221688192005-04-04T11:38:00.000-04:002005-04-04T11:39:23.226-04:00

You scored as Existentialism. Your life is guided by the concept of Existentialism: You choose the meaning and purpose of your life.“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.”“It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.”--Jean-Paul Sartre“It is man's natural sickness to believe that he possesses the Truth.”--Blaise PascalMore info

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1112569958566294352005-04-03T18:45:00.000-04:002005-04-03T19:12:38.570-04:00

I'm back now from West Virginia, where I've spent the past week building houses with Habitat for Humanity. It was a fantastic trip, both on its own terms and for its timeliness. I'd been stuck in a routine at school for long enough that for about a week before the trip I was incredibly ready to go. I was anxious, skittish, nervous, unable to concentrate on my work. Pacing around my room and

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1111859232158723022005-03-26T12:12:00.000-05:002005-03-26T15:03:03.346-05:00

You know, when it comes up that you listen to classical music, there are three main reactions:1) The amused smirk. You know, the one that means, Oh, you listen to that stuff. Pfft. Loser. Try some real music sometime, you pretentious jackass.2) The vague, "Oh, that's nice," but I have nothing more to say about that. Let's change the subject reaction.3) (least commonly) Some flicker of actual

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1111767764899208392005-03-26T08:57:00.000-05:002005-03-26T11:47:06.310-05:00

Don't you hate that annoying, pretentious sort of person who throws around little Latin or other foreign phrases? Even worse are those who turn them into little multilingual puns: Tempus Fugitive, or Tempest Fugit, or anything like that. . .It is a pity you do not like me beautiful book. As a genius, I do not expect to be readily understood but you may be surprised to know that my book is a

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1111541072527105772005-03-22T20:15:00.000-05:002005-03-22T20:24:32.530-05:00

One of my finals has been pushed back until after spring break, along with the attendant paper, so for this week I have only to worry about the three exams on Thursday. Going to try to finish the paper for Friday or Saturday, because I'm going to be building houses in West Virginia next week, and the week school resumes I've that last exam, plus two more papers, plus a whole lot of reading I'm

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1111420371419877632005-03-21T10:25:00.000-05:002005-03-21T10:54:23.153-05:00

Anyone remember that rant I promised a few months ago about Sudan? Well, it's not forgotten, but it's not going to posted here as a rant, either. It's growing into a book, and it's not just Sudan but spreading to encompass most of Africa. For every book I read about that part of the world, I'm directed to a whole stack more, and each piece of the picture appalls me even more than the last.In

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1111166374923519782005-03-18T12:19:00.000-05:002005-03-18T15:39:00.710-05:00

So, I finally did it. I subjected myself to Alien vs. Predator. But I didn't pay for it -- oh, no. I held firm to my conviction not to send PWS Anderson a single cent. Instead, I borrowed it from a friend -- and considering that she let me, I find myself seriously considering whether she can still be considered a friend*.There was a time when a new Alien movie was something to look forward to

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1111020210982222442005-03-16T19:43:00.000-05:002005-03-16T19:47:32.813-05:00

English Genius You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 94% Expert! You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!Thank you so much for taking my test. I

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1110978297891639712005-03-16T08:04:00.000-05:002005-03-16T08:04:57.893-05:00

This morning, she smiled.That is all.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1110907680527508682005-03-15T12:26:00.000-05:002005-03-15T12:28:00.530-05:00

So, I picked up my first Guy Gavriel Kay book, The Lions of Al-Rassan. I hope it's as good as everyone says. Meanwhile, though, I've just started Woken Furies and am finding it difficult to put down long enough to read my schoolbooks.But more excitingly, I've got pictures of some of my beasts:Caleb and Scout. I love my dogs. Especially the big one.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1110823643113009792005-03-14T12:40:00.000-05:002005-03-14T13:07:23.123-05:00

A while ago, my sister told me of some newfangled thing call Diet Vanilla Cherry Dr Pepper. "Sounds gross," I said. She assured me that while the sound of it was dubious, it was in fact a very delectable beverage and should I ever chance to come upon it, I should take the opportunity to do myself the favor of guzzling some. Now, I don't drink much soda at all, nor any other caffeinated or

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1110561417015224182005-03-11T12:11:00.000-05:002005-03-11T12:16:57.016-05:00

Last night, I took a walk. This is nothing new; I walk nearly every night. But last night, I came across a trio of sophomores who'd manage to get their week-old Jeep Soccer Mom Car stuck in the snow, and offered my help. Of course, they had no shovels, salt, chains, rope -- nothing at all useful. So after we spent over an hour digging with our hands, pushing and pulling the car and getting it

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1110321003859616182005-03-08T16:30:00.000-05:002005-03-08T18:11:58.166-05:00

I finished Michael Jasper's debut collection, Gunning for the Buddha. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The stories were relatively bite sized, most only a dozen pages long or so, and were fun and easy enough to read that they were ideal mental palate cleansers between coursework. I wouldn't call Jasper's fiction great, though it's got potential, but it's certainly quite good and, as I said -- a lot

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1110041940615335002005-03-05T11:23:00.000-05:002005-03-05T14:42:53.176-05:00

"My name's John Constantine. I'm not the nicest bloke you've ever met. But I do me best."So, I saw Constanteen last night. It was . . . quite a movie. The movie opened with an unattributed quotation pertaining to a trivial plot device, followed by a caption: "The Spear of Destiny has been missing since World War II." Already I'm ready to leave Constanteen; I'd much rather see Indiana Jones and

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1109896716955337472005-03-03T19:38:00.000-05:002005-03-03T22:50:14.483-05:00

I don't have time for a real update right now, but I do have a couple links. First, here's one of the reasons I love Peter David:The easy answer for divorce is the same answer for gay marriage: ban it. Make it illegal. You want a divorce? Not in our country, Sunny Jim. Save the children. Save the family. Ban divorce.For the rest, click here.And on a related note, this bill would ban abortions of

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1109818257594816702005-03-02T21:49:00.000-05:002005-03-02T21:50:57.596-05:00

In Firefox my blog looks fine, but in IE for some reason, the sidebar has recently started being pushed down below the main text. Is anyone else having this problem? Does anyone know how I might go about resolving it?

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1109472493538237022005-02-26T21:24:00.000-05:002005-02-26T21:49:44.446-05:00

I just saw a dance. Kaha:wi. "Kaha:wi explores archetypal symbols of Iroquoian culture: the circle symbol, Woodland floral designs, images of duality and balance. The project reflects cultural concepts of Thanksgiving, sacredness of the natural world and rite ceremonies, such as the naming ceremony. The movement language for the dance incorporates traditional social dance steps: Stomp Dance,

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1109294397634733892005-02-24T19:48:00.000-05:002005-02-25T11:27:00.320-05:00

"Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor RooseveltI don't know if anyone was following the whole Hamilton vs. Churchill thing in the news, but it pisses me off. Hamilton College invited and paid Professor Ward Churchill to come speak. Then Hamilton found out that he had referred to the twin towers victims as "little Eichmanns." People there got pissed off. Started threatening to

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108912731803281982005-02-20T09:54:00.000-05:002005-02-20T14:57:57.150-05:00

I must be the only idiot on this campus to wake up around seven o'clock on Sunday mornings. I wonder if most of the rest know what they're missing. Or care. It's a tremendously beautiful morning, not as bitter cold as it has been the past couple days, and with the sun shining very pleasant indeed. I also had a good night last night. Still don't care much for the bars, but before going out,

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108756574984115432005-02-18T14:34:00.000-05:002005-02-18T19:26:09.210-05:00

So, last night I swept my room for the first time in more'n two months. Got rid of much of the dust and dirt and debris and crumbs and so forth. So why is it that now, today, for the very first time, there are ants on the floor? Now that I've gotten rid of that stuff, shouldn't they be less inclined to come in here?This morning, I read Michael Jasper's very amusing story "Goddamn Redneck

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108572782540359912005-02-16T11:42:00.000-05:002005-02-16T12:14:21.953-05:00

For anyone who's interested, my dog Caleb's mother is Glory:Glory's brother is Fame, who just won his third consecutive Best in Breed at Westminster Dog Show:And here's Fame with his mother and Caleb's grandmother, Darcy:Darcy's father is Gimlet:Gimlet's father is Gambit:One of Gimlet's sons, Cupid, is in this picture, taken fifteen years ago, the age Caleb is now: Cupid is somehow, though I'm

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108491706420293372005-02-15T13:12:00.000-05:002005-02-15T13:21:46.423-05:00

"She spends three quarters of the book beating off in the most absurd ways possible. . ." - Prof. Navarette"I probably shouldn't tell you guys this, buy my underpants are all wet." - Prof. NavaretteClasses are good so far -- two days in. Taking a course on Islam, which should be interesting, although it's mildly discouraging to see the level of ignorance of nearly all of the students in the

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108441233140652522005-02-14T23:15:00.000-05:002005-02-14T23:20:33.140-05:00

Well, I got an A- on my thesis. Would've preferred an A, but I'm feeling crappy enough right now without dwelling on that, so I'll not waste time complaining about it. So what have I been doing on this marvelous evening? Walking. In the rain. Alone. Plus it was too icy to go anywhere interesting, and as I was wearing my old boots my foot got wet. So I was wandering, one foot wet, randomly

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108354693803301942005-02-14T06:36:00.000-05:002005-02-14T12:39:51.766-05:00

Today I celebrate more than 7800 consecutive days single.EDIT: Here are some pics of my dog when he turned one year old a couple months ago; he's since put on more'n twenty pounds, so he doesn't look quite the same, but I haven't had access to my webspace until now, so now is when you get them:No captions, please. On second thought, captions, please. Anyone who makes me laugh gets a prize.And

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108248959425970372005-02-13T07:55:00.000-05:002005-02-13T23:19:11.476-05:00

Back to school today, to start my final term at this esteemed establishment o' learning. This should be interesting.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108095992417203582005-02-10T23:25:00.000-05:002005-02-11T15:27:47.836-05:00

Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are . . . the functionaries ready to believe and to act without asking questions. - Primo LeviAll that the Devil asks is acquiescence . . . not struggle, not conflict. Acquiescence. - Suzanne MassieLink courtesy of Matt: Torture, American Style

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108081079787421402005-02-10T19:00:00.000-05:002005-02-10T19:17:59.786-05:00

Carrying mattresses up flights of stairs is tiring. Just so you know. Also, since the end of the summer, Caleb's grown more than twenty pounds. And let me tell you, trying to hold more than one hundred twenty pounds of bucking panicking dog still enough that shots can be administered is an exercise in patience, a study in slime . . . it's a lot of fun. Especially when the big fella's been

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1108038680048020922005-02-10T07:29:00.000-05:002005-02-10T15:14:34.456-05:00

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. - Abraham Lincoln The love of justice in most men is only the fear of themselves suffering by injustice. - Françoise do la Rochefoucauld You scored as Gluttony. Sloth56%Gluttony56%Pride31%Wrath25%Lust19%Envy6%Greed6%Seven deadly sinscreated with QuizFarm.comThe bread [sic] is gone. My face looks very round and soft

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107976504597143832005-02-09T14:07:00.000-05:002005-02-09T14:15:04.596-05:00

You know what people should do? Tell the truth, in writing and fiction, the real sincere truth, the truth that hurts - make sure it hurts to say it - and the illusions will drop away. And life without illusions is both frightening and exhilarating. - John ShirleyI almost got run over by a firetruck yesterday. There are no sidewalks on my street, and as I was walking Caleb, suddenly fire trucks

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107916639229591842005-02-08T21:30:00.000-05:002005-02-08T21:44:15.396-05:00

"Books say: She did this because. Life says she did this. Books are where things are explained to you; Life is where things aren't. I'm not surprised people prefer books. Books make sense of life. The only problem is that the lives they make sense of are other people's lives, never your own." - Gustave Flaubert You scored as Prudence. Prudence- with you are good judgement and a sharp

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107831351369309532005-02-07T21:38:00.000-05:002005-02-08T09:57:45.256-05:00

1. First name? Nathan 2. Were you named after anyone? Yep. First name's from my father's mother's father; middle name's from my mother's mother's father. 3. Do you wish on stars? No. 4. When did you last cry? I don't remember. 5. Do you like your handwriting? Most of the time. 6. What's your favorite lunch meat? Turkey. 7. What is your birth date? August 29. 8. What is your most

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107742058576080442005-02-06T21:01:00.000-05:002005-02-06T21:08:15.086-05:00

It just occurred to me: There's some sort of big-deal ballgame today, isn't there? Go Igles! Go Pats! Ra! Ra! Ra. Is there anyone else who can't even be bothered to pretend to care? And now for ridiculous news of the day: Colorado Teens Fined for Giving Cookies to Neighbor Music Industry Sues 83-Year-Old Dead Woman Chris: Good on you, mate. It's about time. That's it for today.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107628555732173862005-02-05T13:35:00.000-05:002005-02-06T21:08:37.300-05:00

You Are From Neptune You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability. You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea. Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion. You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone. If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107628233558139052005-02-05T13:18:00.000-05:002005-02-05T13:30:33.556-05:00

It's one of those wonderful days when, though there's snow on the ground still, it's warm enough to walk outside barefoot. I've just finished Ravelstein, Saul Bellow's auto/biographical novel about Allan Bloom and their friendship. It was my introduction to Bellow, but I'll certainly be reading more, because damn can that guy write. For the moment, though, on to some Mark Twain. But first, I

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107536718386584542005-02-04T11:51:00.000-05:002005-02-04T20:35:34.410-05:00

Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher. -- Flannery O'ConnorAnd now that that's out of the way, I'm going to talk a little about animals. While I was in Vienna, I went to the zoo, and I was disgusted. Scrawny, bored looking lions and

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107369905890673712005-02-02T13:32:00.000-05:002005-02-02T13:47:57.486-05:00

Orangutans later. Something else on my mind now. Okay . . . what's the deal with the appeal of hairlessness? I know that shaving various body parts has been in vogue for various sexes throughout history, but what I don't understand is why it's considered so gross for women (and increasingly men) to have body hair. Women didn't shave their armpits a century ago. It wasn't until 1915, when

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107284201662521442005-02-01T13:24:00.000-05:002005-02-01T13:56:41.663-05:00

Mass meetings . . . amount to nothing whatever if they are mere methods of giving a sentimental but ineffective and safe outlet to the emotion of those engaged in them. Indeed they amount to less than nothing. . . . Until we put honor and duty first, and are willing to risk something in order to achieve righteousness both for ourselves and for others, we shall accomplish nothing; and we shall

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1107122359914994382005-01-30T16:36:00.000-05:002005-01-30T18:03:36.146-05:00

Apparently, when I was 5 and was told that my mother was pregnant again, I said, "If it's a girl, we should name her Snow White and dress her in rags." Later, when I was still five, I was known to comment, in all seriousness, "We've decided on its first name, but haven't come up with a last name yet." I'm told that all those to whom I made this remark refrained from laughter in order to spare my

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1104665472303684282005-01-02T06:22:00.000-05:002005-01-02T06:32:52.496-05:00

Alright. I leave in a couple hours. Usually when I travel, I do not tend to stop at Internet Cafés, and I'm not carrying my laptop, so don't expect to hear from me for a month. That said, I'll definitely be back, so start checking in again around the first of February. Last night I saw Forever Plaid, which was a nice, amusing little show. If it's ever playing in your area, check it out.

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357109.post-1104592271659392122005-01-01T09:42:00.000-05:002005-01-01T10:11:11.660-05:00

I was thinking, last night around midnight, of writing one of my notoriously bad thirty-second mock haikus, but decided not to. It probably would have gone something like this: Beneath mistletoe I something something something Five four three two one Or perhaps even worse. Plus, since there was no mistletoe, and I didn't count down, and everyone had gone to bed already anyway, there just

NSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863423180920030789noreply@blogger.com