dnabsuH enizagaM

The Postman Rings Twice.

2005-09-29T23:58:00.000-04:00

this book ) has some interesting thoughts on culture, language, and the inclusionary/exclusionary nature of catchphrases pulled from movies and television.

On the subject of too-short excerpts.

2005-09-29T15:33:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from from Black Swan Green:Picked-on kids act invisible to reduce the chances of being noticed and picked on. Stammerers act invisible to reduce the chances of being made to say something we can't. Kids whose parents argue act invisible in case we trigger another skirmish. The Triple Invisible Boy, that's Jason Taylor. Even I don't see the real Jason Taylor much these days, 'cept for when

You really like me. You really, really like me.

2005-09-29T13:56:00.000-04:00

Wow - apparently, I do have readers. OK, contest one. First person to secure me an advance copy of "Black Swan Green" gets a free Neil Young masterpiece in their mailbox. mwft521 at gmail dotttttttttt com.

Neil Young month continues.

2005-09-29T09:54:00.000-04:00

Time weighs in. The new album is excellent. If I had any sort of sizable audience here, I'd run some sort of contest for the won copy.

Protecting animals from the next hurricane.

2005-09-29T09:39:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends,Don't you think it's terrible that people were forced to leavetheir pets behind during Hurricane Katrina?Please ask your U.S. Representative to support the PETS Act,H.R. 3858, which would require state and local authorities to plan for evacuating people with pets the next time a disasterlike Hurricane Katrina strikes.It's quick and easy to do. Just click here: https://

All about the shovel hitting the bag.

2005-09-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

He was driving down the off-ramp the other day, eating animal cookies that his daughter liked. A beautiful day, he was looking out the windows at the sunshine and how the dry air made everything sharp after the humid summer. He left the highway and went up the hill into the city. Looking out the window, he saw a teenager, a boy, hitting something small with a shovel. He was hitting

We clean our mugs in the bathroom.

2005-09-27T16:43:00.000-04:00

- You didn't clean out your mug again, she says. I look at her. A little tendril of strawberry yogurt is peeking over the rim. I don't correct her grammar. I'm not sure and I only strike when my aim is true. - I didn't have a free hand to carry it back, I tell her. I shrug a friendly, "we're all in this together because we all have only two hands" kind of shrug. The way her mouth drops

Time for bed, part 2.

2005-09-27T14:06:00.000-04:00

1) Summoned to Portland Police Station for "leaving the scene of the crime". Matter cleared up. 2) Put on a pot of much-needed coffee only to find that it clogged, leaving grinds and sweet dark brew all over the counter.

Time for bed.

2005-09-27T12:37:00.000-04:00

1) I start backing up to let someone out into traffic and bump a car that was trying to sneak in behind me. "Bump" is too strong a word. My bumper is black; hers is silver, and so my 1/2 mile/hour collision leaves a black mark on her bumper. So of course she goes apoplectic. 2) I buy the new Neil Young album - the special edition, with the DVD making-of included. 3) They are playing the

#1 for #2.

2005-09-25T14:05:00.000-04:00

What to read while sitting down for some necessary bodily function time. Many true stories, each a page or two long, that will stick in your head. Like Paul Harvey without the fascism. Editor: Paul Auster!

Got the fever now.

2005-09-22T22:32:00.000-04:00

Mmm-hmmm.

Nice.

2005-09-22T22:17:00.000-04:00

I can't bring myself to listen to much of it - I want the albumexperience, while we can still buy music in entire album form - butthe parts of "Prairie Wind" that I've previewed are dynamite. Neilgets it done, yet again.

Neil Young Opens Vaults; I Go Completely Broke.

2005-09-22T21:44:00.000-04:00

"Neil Young Opens Vaults"Rocker to release series of eight-disc rarities setsAfter nearly fifteen years of promises, Neil Young is now confidentthat a slew of material from his vaults will begin to see the light ofday in 2006. With his latest album, Prairie Wind, out next week, therock legend is planning several eight-disc sets packed with outtakes,home recordings, album tracks, live cuts and

More Neil.

2005-09-22T17:13:00.000-04:00

Part one of an interview on Fresh Air about "Greendale"; part two is here.

Google Alerts pays off.

2005-09-22T10:40:00.000-04:00

Waiting for me in my inbox this morning, a link to this interview from last weekend's All Things Considered with Mr. Neil Young. This page also offers a listen to the entire album. I'm at work, so I can't tune in to any of it right now, but I'm eagerly awaiting this release.

Foster or Adopt Animals.

2005-09-21T13:48:00.000-04:00

How May I Foster or Adopt Animals Affected by Hurricane Katrina? Thank you for your generous offer to foster or adopt animals affected by Hurricane Katrina. Please visit Petfinder.com to register as a potential foster or permanent home.

Murakami story in New Yorker.

2005-09-21T12:26:00.000-04:00

I am still drawn to reading Murakami from the various accounts of his writing style and comparisons to David Lynch. Despite the deeply unfortunate cat-decapitation scene(s), mentioned previously at this site. Here's a story from the newest New Yorker.

Powells now selling DVDs.

2005-09-21T10:07:00.000-04:00

An interesting move - Powell's Books is now selling DVDs. I admire Powells and am surprised by this - I would hate to see them fragment a la Amazon. At the same time, I won't shop Amazon (see their rating on www.buyblue.org) so I'm glad to see another option for DVD purchasing. Apparently, shipping is free on some/all DVD purchases. I still recommend spending the $20 for a year of free

File under: Life stories; New Orleans; Oral Histories.

2005-09-20T15:59:00.000-04:00

Click here, please.

What is an orkut?

2005-09-20T12:10:00.000-04:00

I'm on record as distrustful and dismissive of online-community type friend-networking. However, for those of you that are not, Google has swallowed https://www.orkut.com/GLogin.aspx to compete with the other services, which all seem to be moving to a pay-for-use format. Orkut is, and apparently will remain, free.

Stop Bush's Assault on Katrina Victims' Wages

2005-09-20T10:04:00.000-04:00

Instead of embracing good jobs for the recently displaced, President Bush's first major act in the Gulf Coast recovery effort was to suspend a law that requires federal contractors to pay workers a decent wage.Please take a moment to demand that this recovery effort put people first – and reject efforts to exploit this tragedy to line the pockets of corporate elites. Please, write your member of

Dying for A Drink of Clean Water.

2005-09-20T07:22:00.000-04:00

What the world needs now.

Netflix? Try Peerflix.

2005-09-19T11:33:00.000-04:00

Here's the skinny.-- In response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, The Humane Society of the United States has launched a massive relief effort to rescue animals and assist their caregivers in the disaster areas.Their entire relief effort is funded by donations from people like you and me, and they desperately need your support. Please make an emergency contribution to the HSUS

This looks interesting.

2005-09-19T10:26:00.000-04:00

Free trial, anyone?

Sit right back.

2005-09-16T15:57:00.000-04:00

Review and analyze...

Strange but true for Friday.

2005-09-16T15:48:00.000-04:00

Static-electricity fire.

George Bush press conference.

2005-09-16T12:10:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from George Bush press conference... Reporter: What is your position on Roe vs. Wade?Bush: It really makes no difference on how people get out of New Orleans.

God Loves.

2005-09-16T11:39:00.000-04:00

God Loves The 1974 VW Dasher.

Disappointing.

2005-09-15T15:52:00.000-04:00

Click "WTF"in this article (I link to this page so much now, you might as well just go there before coming here) to get the story. Bizarre.

Literary magazines and such.

2005-09-15T15:42:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I already posted a link to this interesting article, but here it is.

Novelist Orhan Pamuk.

2005-09-14T10:06:00.000-04:00

International PEN urges everyone to write letters to Turkish leaders and ambassadors, protesting the upcoming prosecution of novelist Orhan Pamuk. (From the homepage, scroll down to the "Writers in Prison" section and click on the link next to "Turkey.") Here's some contact information: Prime Minister Racep Tayyip ErdoganTC EasbaskanlikAnkaraTurkeyFax: +90 312 417 0476 Cemil CicekMinister of

Funny editing humor.

2005-09-13T13:36:00.000-04:00

To be found upon a click of this here link.

Literary journals v Literary blogs.

2005-09-13T13:23:00.000-04:00

Interesting discussion - follow both the links Scott puts up.

Better.

2005-09-13T09:58:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, the Benton County Daily Record was supposed to print an open letter to Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's CEO, from WakeUpWalMart.com. The letter asks Wal-Mart to work with our campaign to help address the economic and health care crisis facing its 1.3 million workers, all working families, our communities, and our country by agreeing to "six demands for change." Today, the Benton County Daily

Updated, many new features.

2005-09-12T11:05:00.000-04:00

A useful resource before shopping.

Are computers bad for kids?

2005-09-08T15:40:00.000-04:00

A thought-provoking article, at Orion.

Update.

2005-09-08T10:42:00.000-04:00

On and On has a new post.

This American Life Update, 9/6/05.

2005-09-07T16:39:00.000-04:00

_________________________________________________This American Life UpdateSeptember 6, 2005The "Endless Packing" Edition_________________________________________________ THIS WEEKEND, 9/9-11:After the Flood. Surprising stories from survivors in New Orleans.And, insiders at FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, tellthe story of how their agency has changed over the last four years, and

Fwd: I realise...

2005-09-07T12:37:00.000-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Allison Lau Date: 07-Sep-2005 10:15Subject: I realise... I realise this is getting mighty annoying but I changed the blog address again. Forever! I swear! http://haibaratown.blogspot.com/

More Good Poems.

2005-09-07T10:15:00.000-04:00

The other book of Good Poems is available in paperback; this new one is still hardcover only.

Help dogs, cats of Katrina.

2005-09-06T13:35:00.000-04:00

Family dynamics.

2005-09-06T12:32:00.000-04:00

Far more interesting than anything I've posted here in a long time are the events unfolding at the On and On blog.

Starcraft again.

2005-09-03T12:48:00.000-04:00

Have any of my readers actually played this game? E-mail me... Court KOs Online Game Bypass Program - Yahoo! News

Direct from New Orleans.

2005-09-03T10:40:00.000-04:00

Stephen Elliott has gone down to the area and posted this article at Salon.com - and will have further coverage at his own site.

Mr.Sun's Gas Shortage Tips.

2005-09-03T10:17:00.000-04:00

To be found here.

The post where I vomit my life onto the internet, stroking my ego, for your very mild enjoyment.

2005-09-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

The first CD I bought, long ago, was The Black Crowes' "Southern Harmony and Musical Companion". It was a damn long time ago and my recent mis-storage while in transit has rendered it unlistenable during the good part of "Black Moon Creeping". So, the rotation of old CD albums into some landfill has begun, as I purchased a new (apparently digitally remastered) copy of it tonight at Newbury

Finding humor.

2005-09-02T16:16:00.000-04:00

Check out the track list.

Available in ME?

2005-09-01T16:34:00.000-04:00

The Vermont Coffee Company, known for their organic and fairtraded coffee, has just upgraded its coffee roasting machine to run on biodiesel fuel. The bio-roaster can roast the same amount of beans in four hours as the company's two older machines roasted in 10-12 hours running simultaneously. A local distributor, Jackman's, has agreed to supply the biodiesel to the Vermont Coffee Company. The

Very curious.

2005-08-31T21:49:00.000-04:00

Does anyone know someone that uses one of these, with the idea from here? It looks like a dynamite little project. Ask around, I'd love to hear stories about use, construction, problems, etc. Thanks.

Conversation re: Google.

2005-08-31T10:43:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the formatting, I'm still sick as anything. =========== From: A To: M it's the same deal with microsoft tho, isn't it (or any beta versionthat becomes the hottest thing)? google is now the monopolising headhoncho of the internet game. a few years ago there was another webpage that filed grievances with what they were starting to do with the adbar. they had just started

Mitchell stuff.

2005-08-30T16:39:00.000-04:00

Working my way through Ghostwritten now. Here's a post about his three released books.

Sven is on to something.

2005-08-30T13:39:00.000-04:00

In Thrall To Data

I apparently have no chance of ever getting cancer.

2005-08-28T15:22:00.000-04:00

This study is just what the doctor ordered. Make mine a double.

An expensive gift.

2005-08-26T18:24:00.000-04:00

Too bad it's only through Amazon... and I'm not a millionaire Complete

Libraries offering audiobook borrowing.

2005-08-25T17:24:00.000-04:00

Here.

Dear Leader.

2005-08-24T14:20:00.000-04:00

http://dearleadersdailythought.blogspot.com/

DM interview re: BSG.

2005-08-24T10:34:00.000-04:00

http://trashotron.com/agony/columns/2005/05-16-05.htm

Google Talk

2005-08-24T06:58:00.000-04:00

Go ahead - download it. You know I am. Bye-bye AOL IM. Google Talk

Oh my head.

2005-08-23T22:42:00.000-04:00

Galleys are now being sent here and there (sadly, not actually here, but there) for David Mitchell's new book, out next April. Anyone reading this that I don't know about that has a copy they'd like to send my way will get this blog renamed after them. Black Swan Green

Anchors and Life-jackets

2005-08-22T16:18:00.000-04:00

Posted elsewhere by me:I think articles like this(http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/08/21/letting_go?mode=PF)are valuable uses of newspaper space in that they get us thinkingabout our own lives, our own connections with the books we've read andthe fictions that have influenced who we are now – fictions both onthe page and in our lives. I am also always curious about otherpeople's

Tap tap on your shoulder.

2005-08-22T11:16:00.000-04:00

I'd be interested in what the tech-savvy folks out there think aboutthis, just released today and pulling down one of the top-headlinespaces on my news page. I'd e-mail you all individually, but hell,here's a blog.http://desktop.google.com/

Never moving to Kansas.

2005-08-18T16:35:00.000-04:00

First "intelligent design", and now this. ========================Schools drop two disputed booksAssociated PressOVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Two of the 14 books that a group of suburbanKansas City parents found objectionable have been removed from thehigh school curriculum in the Blue Valley School District.Officials insist "This Boy's Life" by Tobias Wolff and "Fallen Angels"by Walter Dean Myers -

New goodnews.

2005-08-18T09:54:00.000-04:00

New posts up at Asym Motion, On and On, A in J. Linkas at the right.

Blog dislikers take note.

2005-08-16T01:36:00.000-04:00

Literary Friendships

2005-08-15T16:07:00.000-04:00

"JOIN GARRISON KEILLOR as he hosts a brand new series: he's invited an outstanding group of American writers to talk about their friendships with one another—and with one another's work—in front of a live audience. The series promises to be sparkling, enlightening, and possibly contentious. What really happens when two writers become friends? Literary Friendships features poets, mystery writers

The Abridged Guide to Successfully Enjoying Writing a Stunningly Obnoxiously Self-Referential Resarch Paper.

2005-08-12T23:19:00.000-04:00

Breathtakingly (adverbs!!!!!!!!) near the completion of my graduate studies, I now deign to share these nuggets of wisdom with those of you who are considering the life of academia, or are currently enjoying the examined life. The research paper(s): the lynchpin of your studies, the Everest you must climb, whether you have a thesis to complete or not. These honed-in-fires-to-hot-to-explain tips

OK, but what does the name mean?

2005-08-12T14:48:00.000-04:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumpy%27nut

The Thank-You Card

2005-08-11T14:45:00.000-04:00

It's passed around at the office. I get it and scribble something, thanks for your help, you've been great, what a job. Then it's a rope. The rope's around your neck. How do you get out of the rope? There's a list attached to the front, you check off your name after you've written your message. Who hasn't signed it yet? If you get the card last, you're stuck with it. But Mary hasn't

Assorted sort-of-bon mots.

2005-07-15T15:09:00.000-04:00

... Abandoning ship with "Life of Pi" (get it?? yeeeeeaaaaargrrrgh!) as it just doesn't seem to be sticking to my ribs. It is competently written but the author's note at the beginning, lengthy and apparently harvested directly out of his belly-button, threw me off my stride and I just haven't been able to whip enough interest to continue. Back to the library it goes. ... Finished the Oates

Why buy batteries?

2005-07-13T21:48:00.000-04:00

This is the best."A compact wind up radio for travel and emergenciesThe Freeplay Summit is the first, true alternative power radio with an attractive, modern look. This unique digital travel radio is a showcase of Freeplay's unsurpassed understanding of dynamo powered electronics. Either wind it up or let the solar panel soak up power from the sun. The Summit stores power in its built-in

Chekhov's Mistress: Two Perspectives on Blogging

2005-07-13T21:41:00.000-04:00

You might have noticed that I enjoy articles about blogs. Here's a goodun', very thoughtful. Chekhov's Mistress: Two Perspectives on Blogging

EB Superfan!

2005-07-13T20:50:00.000-04:00

Blogs for Books.

2005-07-13T07:33:00.000-04:00

Someone get me a coffee. The New York Times > Technology > Dear Blog: Today I Worked on My Book

History of Netscape.

2005-07-12T22:14:00.000-04:00

Interesting article on the one that started it all. Sort of.

I Turn My Camera On.

2005-07-12T21:27:00.000-04:00

Photojournalism at its most dry! The order's all messed up, but give me a break.Weekend project. New coop, one board at a time.We need hats because we are without hair. Mine was cooler, but only temperature-wise.Today's breakfast! Exciting!With today's breakfast!Break!

Mediated and the iPod.

2005-07-12T13:42:00.000-04:00

Great article about the books and the device. My indecision has been snapped. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,923-1684705,00.html

Next stop: close contact with multiple clients.

2005-07-12T07:18:00.000-04:00

Today's dining plan includes lentil salad (lentils, garlic, onions, butter, oil, rice, spices, etc), one or two everything bagels, assorted Clig Bars, pretzels, and lots of coffee. Let's get to work!"Let's take a look at your employment plan. ...Why are you on fire?"

Indeed, one WOULD think that short fiction would be more popular.

2005-07-11T16:34:00.000-04:00

... On some days, the amount of pleasure I get from reading about writing completely overshadows any actual writing I do. Rushed out today to get the just-released first fiction issue of The Atlantic, which will no longer be publishing fiction in each issue, opting instead to put it all in one yearly installment. Why? Grunt: http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a4183.asp There's a Rick

This might explain why I was up half the night downloading from Audible.

2005-07-09T08:58:00.000-04:00

Today's Dose is recommended by Seamus from Las Vegas, Nevada<<>Take today's Dose in HTML at:http://www.powells.com/dose/cgi-bin/product?isbn=0060005696 <>>"The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less"by Barry SchwartzPUBLISHER COMMENTSAs Americans, we assume that more choice means better optionsand greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the

Enthusiasms.

2005-07-08T16:51:00.000-04:00

Prompted by T.W.'s recent list of enthusiasms, and comments directed at me regarding my fixations, a short list.1) I love TAL as much as the next person ...or at least, I thought I did. I haven't been able to listen in recent times, because apparently TAL is a hoot-n-holler trigger for my daughter. Ira's voice can't compete. I have been throughly researching Audible.com (along with enthusiasm

The "death" of letter writing.

2005-07-08T16:23:00.000-04:00

I go through enthusiasms of letter writing that usually die before I manage to write a single letter to anyone. The modern age (such a phrase! so laden!) doesn't allow me to take the time, and I'm so comfortable with typing, with e-mail; it would be so much better, the writing of letters, but I'm just not enough a go-getter. This article has strengthed my resolve again. I also found some nice

Daltrey?

2005-07-06T21:40:00.000-04:00

The house that Maxwell built.

2005-07-06T14:24:00.000-04:00

...Battery acid. Today is LT's first day of day care. We have been lucky to this point in being able to keep her in the care of family and close friends. With me working full time again, Monday through Friday, and L working full time, we are now needing day care. She is at a nice place not too far from home, quiet, clean, an invested provider who is willing to accomodate our germ phobias,

Commercial Alert relaunched.

2005-07-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

This belongs on another site, but it's already there and I wanted to mention it here as well - Commercial Alert has relaunched their website (http://commercialalert.org/) and it's worth visiting. I know W.S. will be excited about the new site. It's astonishing to me that so many studies are needed to conclude that watching television is bad for kids.

Toolbar.

2005-07-05T16:42:00.000-04:00

Google Toolbar for Firefox Coming This Week: http://google.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000030049393/

Independence Day leftovers.

2005-07-05T15:28:00.000-04:00

...As ready-made falafel was unavailable to us, we had a pasta with an improvised thyme and toasted bread crumb topping that I enjoyed (thyme and sage are favorites, which is part of why I hunger for sweet potato and butternut squash soup, even in the midst of a heat wave) but that no one else cared for. Having been up from 1AM to 4AM the night before with a sick little girl, we decided to stay

The only picture I have left.

2005-07-01T19:39:00.000-04:00

Tasty summer listening.

2005-07-01T19:34:00.000-04:00

Although not as commercially successful as their self-titled debut, Coast to Coast Motel is a definite improvement. The band keeps their hip-hop influence (much more prevalent on the debut) in check here, concentrating more on creating a mighty instrumental groove. It's also more of a traditional rock & roll approach for the band, with the results quite often being successful. The opening "

July 2005 issue available

2005-07-01T19:26:00.000-04:00

America F'd as Democrats Flop Around on Dock, Gasping Last Breaths

2005-07-01T19:22:00.000-04:00

Diabolical!

Books as tattoos

2005-07-01T16:29:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned this before, briefly, in a previous post (or maybe in my head) - something related to this, anyway. An interesting project in which a story, apparently written nowhere else, is being tattoo'd one word at a time on over 2,000 people. It will only exist in this form. Weirdo arty stuff, but interesting nonetheless.Read this article about it.

If she's truly that far gone, should we try to save her?

2005-06-30T17:46:00.000-04:00

No, I am not breaking confidentiality and speaking of a client. I am talking about Katie Holmes. There's been enough witty commentary about Tom and Katie to distract us from things even remotely important (which "TomKat" is, most assuredly, not), but the whole creepy-ass Scientology business, and Tom Cruise's arrogance about it, does stir interest, no?Here's an article about where Scientology

Perfection

2005-06-30T17:01:00.000-04:00

Quote from W. Somerset Maugham, lifted intact from MaudNewton.com: ===== This is a very long novel and I am ashamed to make it longer by writing a preface to it. An author is probably the last person who can write fitly of his own work. In this connexion an instructive story is told by Roger Martin du Gard, a distinguished French novelist, about Marcel Proust. Proust wanted a certain French

Yes!

2005-06-28T22:25:00.000-04:00

Who TF is Sean Paajanen, and how did he get ahold of my patented process?

2005-06-28T22:16:00.000-04:00

Nevertheless, good call. I'm going to stick with the tblsp/cup, especially after the disappointing (to me) show at work today. I have no entertaining photos to post. Make Coffee in a Drip Coffee Maker

Tempting.

2005-06-28T21:02:00.000-04:00

This site offers a whole lot of everything. Like this, which looks pretty great.

A proper brew.

2005-06-28T13:30:00.000-04:00

My coffee-brewing skills have been called out, challenged, slapped with the white glove. "Too strong" was the consensus between our psychiatrist and a fellow support worker. A CCSW, complaining about coffee-too-strong! I have staunchly defended my patented process: 1) Measure out the ice-cold water. 2) Flatten the filter against the walls of the filter-place. This works best if you have

3D maps and such.

2005-06-28T12:40:00.000-04:00

Looking forward to downloading this and trying it out. Take the product tour, found on the right. http://earth.google.com/

It worked for Ross Perot!!! No it didn't!!!

2005-06-27T20:57:00.000-04:00

As part of my ongoing effort to provide an entertaining blog experience, I now present to you the first batch of photos chronicling my completely-unlike-a-superhero life experience.Look! Driving to work!Get to work, you slob! (note: open bag of kettle chips, completely non-ergonomic chair, proximity to coffee pot (peering from behind monitor), and general disarray.)Time for a break! Let's go

ScentHighlights? Smells like someone died.

2005-06-24T17:26:00.000-04:00

How the Web changes your reading habitsBy Gregory M. Lamb Staff writer of The Christian Science MonitorPALO ALTO, CALIF. – When Ed Chi wants to read, he turns to two of the six computer screens that surround his desk. One is devoted exclusively to e-mail; the other, to the rest of his reading material.The senior researcher is testing a theory: What if your "virtual desk" was as just big as your