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December 07, 2005

Barn Swallow Chorus

I'm tired of titling my entries lacklusterly, so from now on I'll try harder.

My trip to St. Louis was pretty terrific (even though the wind hit like icicles shot from a cannon; even though American Airlines lost my luggage on the way there). Reading for the first time from the new novel was a little unnerving, but I think it went well. Another big thanks to my great pal, fellow Kansan, and stellar writer Kellie Wells (go to her new website! read about her forthcoming novel SKIN!) for making the trip so great.

Above: Kellie and I, after my reading. Below: a shot of the wintry view from my writing desk, here at the Cape vacation house... the slope downward toward Highway 6A, and the marshes and ocean beyond. This will probably be similar to the view I'll see when, in the next few weeks or so, I finally finish this novel.

The reality shows are nearing the season's end. Here's who I'm rooting for. Survivor: Danni or Rafe. (This season, by the way, is one of the greatest ever--last week, when Judd got booted, was classic. The Apprentice: It doesn't matter to me-- I like them both. The Apprentice (Martha Stewart): probably Bethenny. The Amazing Race: the Linz Family all the way... just PLEASE not those awful Bible-beaters.

If you've been reading this blog, you surely know of my obsessions with both Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Jason Biggs. Well, I have a new one. He's this dude who's a "featured player" on Saturday Night Live; his name is Andy Samberg and honest to god I drool every time he shows up on screen. If you're paying attention, I guess you're probably starting to see where my tastes tend to run.

(Above, left): Don't know what took me so long, but I finally got the new My Morning Jacket cd, and it's the best thing they've ever done, I think. Great cover & inner booklet art, too. And it seems that nearly everything produced by John Leckie--Radiohead, The Verve, Ride, Magazine, Spiritualized, Stone Roses, old Simple Minds before they went bad, etc etc etc--is excellent.

(Above, middle): I really like these new Constellation stamps, especially Orion, who looks sort of hot. Unfortunately, the US is only a month away from another postal rate hike.

(Above, right): I'm re-reading the poems of James Schuyler. Bliss.

Oh, and two words before I close. SLOWDIVE REISSUES!!!!

Coming soon: more random, inconsequential lists.