Saturday, December 09, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Putting my money ...
... where my mouth is. The other day, Dave Lull sent me this link: Language Guardian.
In it Joseph Epstein points out that "The Vocabula Review had a high circulation figure of 1,400, but the number is now down to fewer than a thousand."
So I just subscribed. And so should you. If you love to read, you must love words and must care about standards of usage.
In it Joseph Epstein points out that "The Vocabula Review had a high circulation figure of 1,400, but the number is now down to fewer than a thousand."
So I just subscribed. And so should you. If you love to read, you must love words and must care about standards of usage.
Another list ....
... it is that time of year, isn't it? Slate's Best Books of 2006. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
My wife has the same problem ...
... at least with Dostoyevsky. She like Anna Karenina. Me and Russian Lit. (Hat tip, maxine Clarke.)
I wonder if Marydell has read the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of Anna. I think she might like it. She might also like Turgenev, who I think is just wonderful.
I wonder if Marydell has read the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of Anna. I think she might like it. She might also like Turgenev, who I think is just wonderful.
Update: Here is a link to Goya's The Pilgrimage to San Isadore, which Andrew mentions in the comments. I must say I should have taken a look at Goya before making my glib comment. Here's a self-portrait that's as good as they get. And take a look at Winter.
It's a good thing ...
... Thomas was Hardy, because he sure doesn't seem to have been lucky: Did a cat get Hardy's heart?
Actually, poets' organs seem accident prone: A lab assistant at Penn dropped Whitman's brain on the floor and pretty much destroyed it.
Anyway this seems worth looking into: DNA test for Hardy?
Update: The link to the cat and the heart should be fixed.
Actually, poets' organs seem accident prone: A lab assistant at Penn dropped Whitman's brain on the floor and pretty much destroyed it.
Anyway this seems worth looking into: DNA test for Hardy?
Update: The link to the cat and the heart should be fixed.
Blogging will resume ...
... sometime later. I took the day off because I had some things to do. And I am about to start doing them. Later.
It's too late for me ....
... Third Annual Single Malt Scotch Holiday Poetry Slam. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
There's never a copy editor ...
... when you need one: Misprint Is Spied In Lazarus Poem At Liberty Island. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
This counts for a lot ...
... I think: Genetics Book Review: Michael Crichton's Next. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
David Montgomery liked it, too: Crichton's focus turns to stem cells.
David Montgomery liked it, too: Crichton's focus turns to stem cells.
Report from Lowell ...
... Rus Bowden sends along some poetry links:
The Big Picture.
Triolet: Request; mood worsens. (This is worrisome. C.E. is a good man.)
Quotation fun - Are poets introverts or extroverts? When I was young, I thought I was an introvert because I was shy, which is to say scared. I got over it - figured out there was nothing to be scared of. But poetry does derive from a good measure of interiority.
The Big Picture.
Triolet: Request; mood worsens. (This is worrisome. C.E. is a good man.)
Quotation fun - Are poets introverts or extroverts? When I was young, I thought I was an introvert because I was shy, which is to say scared. I got over it - figured out there was nothing to be scared of. But poetry does derive from a good measure of interiority.
Guess I'm one of them ...
... Meet the keystone kops of criticism.
I actually think there's less here than meets the eye. Recently, I decided against asking someone to review a book precisely because there might be issues between the that person and one of the authors. The name of the game is book reviewing, not settling scores. True, scruples in this regard can be taken to an extreme. I'm sure John Irving's book provided plenty of good reasons on its own for Marianne Wiggins to trash it. Bur having friends - or enemies - reviewing books is not the surest way of providing the reader of the review what that reader is likely looking for: some indication as to whether the book is worth time and money. Much of life can proceed smoothly if we remember to ask the first question one poses when diagramming a sentence: What or whom am I talking about? The answer in this case is a reasonably impartial review.
I actually think there's less here than meets the eye. Recently, I decided against asking someone to review a book precisely because there might be issues between the that person and one of the authors. The name of the game is book reviewing, not settling scores. True, scruples in this regard can be taken to an extreme. I'm sure John Irving's book provided plenty of good reasons on its own for Marianne Wiggins to trash it. Bur having friends - or enemies - reviewing books is not the surest way of providing the reader of the review what that reader is likely looking for: some indication as to whether the book is worth time and money. Much of life can proceed smoothly if we remember to ask the first question one poses when diagramming a sentence: What or whom am I talking about? The answer in this case is a reasonably impartial review.
Let there be lights ...
... the Aurora Photo Gallery.
And, while I'm at it, here's a site I didn't know about: Spaceweather.com
You'll want to dress warmly for that solar wind.
And, while I'm at it, here's a site I didn't know about: Spaceweather.com
You'll want to dress warmly for that solar wind.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
That's it ...
... it has been an unusally strenuous week. The best part was reading of course and writing my column - and one short poem. Even though I had do the column in bits and pieces, the moments when I could just concentrate on that were - how shall I put it? - soothing. But the possibility of a strike continues to prey on the mind. And I need some rest.
The last time ...
... I linked to something like this, all hell broke loose: Why Women Aren't Funny. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
But Dorothy Parker was funny. And Fanny Brice was funny. And Lucille Ball. This must be wrong.
But Dorothy Parker was funny. And Fanny Brice was funny. And Lucille Ball. This must be wrong.
Proof, if any were needed ...
... that it's useful, if you want to find something, to get up off your butt and look: Literary Hideaway. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
And the winner is ...
... Llewellyn Rhys award for tale of African child soldier. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Gather ye darkness ...
... where ye may: On the pleasures of teaching noir, an underdog genre. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Could what you're reading ...
... be a work in progress? Blog Slurper Converts Your Blog Into a Book ... Automatically. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
But not only ...
... Let's Be Rational. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I have never known anyone who was an atheist to be chary of acknowledging such to me - they usually seem proud of it, in fact. Is this because I'm such a tolerant, open-minded individual?
I have never known anyone who was an atheist to be chary of acknowledging such to me - they usually seem proud of it, in fact. Is this because I'm such a tolerant, open-minded individual?
This is certainly worth pondering ...
... Beyond the Context of No Context. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I grew up watching TV. But what I saw as a child was quite different from what is on now. As a grade schooler, I used to get up and turn on Channel 3 here is Philly - WPTZ - and watch a guy from Trenton who had a very weird and funny morning show. Ernie Kovas left after a few years to pursue bigger and better things. (Another local guy was a fellow named Ed McMahon.)
The TV I remember was Omnibus, Studio 1, Playhouse 90, Maverick, Peter Gunn, Have Gun, Will Travel, Gunsmoke (lots of guns there, I notice), Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Jack Paar. This was supposedly when television was a vast wasteland. But what I see today seems to fit that description better.
When, that is, I see it. Because I hardly ever watch anymore. Perhaps TV continues in some way, to some degree, to define American society. But I suspect the Internet is taking over that role more and more.
An ocean apart ...
... in sensibility: John Burnside On Reading American Poetry. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
This quotes a fascinating - and, I believe, quite correct - observation from D.H. Lawrence: “There’s not a shadow of a doubt about it, the First Cause is just unknowable to us, and we’d be sorry if it wasn’t.”
This quotes a fascinating - and, I believe, quite correct - observation from D.H. Lawrence: “There’s not a shadow of a doubt about it, the First Cause is just unknowable to us, and we’d be sorry if it wasn’t.”
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Blogging was light today ...
... because I was very busy and had little time to do it. Now the labor negotiations don't look good. So I am going to call it quits for the night. I may have be picketing at 6 a.m.
Matters of belief ...
... Dave Lull sends along a couple links to words from Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
First, Scott Atran and the Microwave-Reheated Enlightenment Philosophasters (you have to scroll down a bit).
Second, Life is unpredictable - get used to it.
Here is the Atran et al. discussion: Beyond Belief.
First, Scott Atran and the Microwave-Reheated Enlightenment Philosophasters (you have to scroll down a bit).
Second, Life is unpredictable - get used to it.
Here is the Atran et al. discussion: Beyond Belief.
Scandalous rumors in Wessex ...
... Syphilis and Mrs Hardy.
Update: I didn't have time to comment yesterday, but the story Peter links to is definitely worth your time.
Update: I didn't have time to comment yesterday, but the story Peter links to is definitely worth your time.
Let us all come to order ...
... or something like that: Proceeding of the FIS 3: Sundries . Moreover this is why Bryan is president and I am not: "I cannot be trapped by logic when I am trying to be funny." I, unfortunately, have been so trapped here. But no more. What's good for the master is good for the man.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Interested in Internet poetry ...
... well, you'll definitely want to read this: Richie Narvaez's Getting a Read on a Virtual Community: The Case of Asinine Poetry.
Richie alerted me to this in June and I posted a link here. So a lot of time and effort went into this.
Richie alerted me to this in June and I posted a link here. So a lot of time and effort went into this.
Acknowledgments ...
... Loved His New Novel, and What a Bibliography . (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
(What's this? Linking to the New York Times? Dear me, do I contradict myself?)
(What's this? Linking to the New York Times? Dear me, do I contradict myself?)
Borrowers defend McEwen ...
... even Thomas Pynchon weighs in: 'why McEwan is no plagiarist'.
And others: Even Shakespeare and Tolstoy would be in trouble. (Hat tip, Dave Lull - for both links.)
The charge of plagiarism against McEwan does seem ridiculous.
And others: Even Shakespeare and Tolstoy would be in trouble. (Hat tip, Dave Lull - for both links.)
The charge of plagiarism against McEwan does seem ridiculous.
It's probably just coincidence ...
... but this poem The Doorman, which Dave Lull sends along, brought to mind some very specific things. As soon as I saw "you married Maddy late," I thought of Maddy Prior, the angel-voiced lead singer of Steeleye Span. Then comes the line, "Pity the poor bastard," and I thought immeditely of Maddy's song "Pity the Poor Night Porter." What does it all mean?
All but one ...
... Alberto Manguel has amassed more than 35,000 books — and discarded just one: The Constant Reader. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
By decree of Parliament ...
... Concordian named Poet Laureate. Specifically, The Parliamentary Poet Laureate. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
But it isn't losing, either ...
... AP has trouble with the meaning of neither: Winning, Losing, or Going Sideways?
What kind of fool am I?
... the kind whose memory sometimes does him in. In my interview with Liz Lopatto, I gave credit to Mark Sarvas for reviewing Jane Gardam's Old Filth. Well, Mark has reviewed for me, but he didn't review Old Filth. That was reviewed by Michael Orthofer of The Compelete Review. As I told Michael, I said I was shooting my mouth off. My apologies to Michael.
Speaking of poetry ...
... I would have linked to this last night, but it's rather string stuff, as the caveat in the title indicates:
Warning: A stark poem on the gruesome murder of Addie Hall .
Warning: A stark poem on the gruesome murder of Addie Hall .
Hear ye, hear ye ...
... Proceedings of the FIS 1. I'm certainly willing to get in touch with Pinter. Wonder if he has the prerequisite sense of humor. I'm not optimistic. Bet Tom Stoppard would join. So far, though, Bryan and I are the only living members. Come on, failed intellectuals: You know who you are. Maybe Martin Manning should join. He lives in the imagination. And he's running for president.
This may not say it all ...
... but it comes close - and does so with admirable economy: Miami: The Desperate Search for the Avant-Garde.
We made a somewhat similar point in this post. Art is not about the search for novelty. It is about the mastery of craft. The novelty derives from the true master's skill at employing that craft in such a way as to enable the rest of us to experience the world afresh.
Monday, December 04, 2006
But first ...
... let's take Gwyneth at her word: I'm Proud to Be American. (Seems only fair to link to this, having linked to the earlier story.)
I confess ...
... it has been one of those days - and tomorrow isn't looking any better. So that's it for blogging tonight. Now for the best part of my job - the reading.
Words, words, words ...
... Amy Nelson-Mile links to How’s Your Vocabulary?
Mine's doing OK (not bad for a Failed Intellectual):
Mine's doing OK (not bad for a Failed Intellectual):
Your Vocabulary Score: A |
 Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person. |
Much to ponder ...
... At the Neglected Books Page: Constructions, by Michael Frayn. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Mark this date on your calendar ....
... for it is the day the Failed Intellectuals Society was born: A Historic Moment: Birth of the FIS .
I have gratefully accepted Bryan's designation as vice president and, as I told him, will do all in my power to live up to the honor. As you can see, Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud - outstandingly failed intellectuals - have already joined up. I'd like to say come one, come all - but it's not that easy. We have standards.
I have gratefully accepted Bryan's designation as vice president and, as I told him, will do all in my power to live up to the honor. As you can see, Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud - outstandingly failed intellectuals - have already joined up. I'd like to say come one, come all - but it's not that easy. We have standards.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Dissing your betters ...
... Gore Vidal on Scott Fitzgerald: A Passing Phase. (Via the Kenyon Review.)
Have I ever mentioned that I think Vidal is an ass? The author of Myra Breckinridge looking down on the author of The Great Gatsby. What is the world coming to?
Have I ever mentioned that I think Vidal is an ass? The author of Myra Breckinridge looking down on the author of The Great Gatsby. What is the world coming to?
The rest of me ...
... An Interview with Frank Wilson, Part II - in which I completely lose it (just kidding - right?).
Once again ...
... the objective vs. the subjective: Dishonesty vs. Stupidity.
I think there is an objective component to art. For example, I think it is objectively demonstrable that The Da Vinci Code is a bad a book. But, while I think Whitman is a greater poet than Donald Hall, I still think that Donald Hall is a very good poet. Is this objectively demonstrable? I think it may well be.
At any rate, I don't believe in pure objectivity, which I take to mean the phenomenal world considered as it would be were there no one to observe it (das Ding an sich, etc.). I think that is a fantasy. Knowledge is the interaction of observer and observed.
Yes, it is ...
... and it may be getting worse: It's a mad world. Maxine better be careful, casting aspersions on celebrity sports-figure worship like that.
The future of newspapers (cont'd.) ...
... given that The Inquirer's publisher has been led to believe we can settle for wire copy when it comes to events outside the Delaware Valley, it is worth pondering what Jules Crittenden has to say about the Associated Press. I link to Glenn's post, rather than directly to Crittenden, because what Glenn says is worth noting, too: Shoddy Work.
Update: Blogging from Fallujah. Of course, he just happens to be there.
Actually, Rus has sent along ...
... a batch of worthwhile links, starting with ...
a appreciative look at Mervyn Peake: Master of the Dark Arts.
Then there's this, which certainly looks at an important issue: Bad sex and how to judge it.
And this, which shows where poetry can lead you: Paterson object of his desire. In connection with this, check out New Jersey as an Impossible Object. Ask any Pennsylvanian, Joe.
a appreciative look at Mervyn Peake: Master of the Dark Arts.
Then there's this, which certainly looks at an important issue: Bad sex and how to judge it.
And this, which shows where poetry can lead you: Paterson object of his desire. In connection with this, check out New Jersey as an Impossible Object. Ask any Pennsylvanian, Joe.
In case you're wondering ...
... how the recreation of the big ball went, here's Big Easy recreates Capote's masked ball . (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
For those who like that sort of thing ...
... Gail Caldwell gives us The best fiction of 2006. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Not the list I would have drawn up.
Not the list I would have drawn up.
"So You Think You Got Troubles" ...
... is the title of a song by Marvin Rainwater:
I've had every disease known to man,
From the African mumps to the dish pan hands,
Lost every race I ever ran,
I never ever got a start.
But even Marvin would defer to Frieda Hughes, I think, when it comes to having the blues. And, despite her difficulties, Hughes has written some fine poetry: Plath daughter puts her pain in poetry. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden, who also sends along links to an article and poems by Hughes:
What fowl deed is this? and Poems by Frieda Hughes.)
I've had every disease known to man,
From the African mumps to the dish pan hands,
Lost every race I ever ran,
I never ever got a start.
But even Marvin would defer to Frieda Hughes, I think, when it comes to having the blues. And, despite her difficulties, Hughes has written some fine poetry: Plath daughter puts her pain in poetry. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden, who also sends along links to an article and poems by Hughes:
What fowl deed is this? and Poems by Frieda Hughes.)
Today is the first day ...
... of Advent. And last spring, there appeared in the journal Boulevard, this by yours truly:
Advent
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear
(Though winter’s scheduling an arctic flight).
The rumor is a rendezvous draws near.
Some say a telling sign will soon appear,
Though evidence this may be so is slight:
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
Pale skeptics may be perfectly sincere
To postulate no ground for hope, despite
The rumor that a rendezvous draws near.
More enterprising souls may shed a tear
And, looking up, behold a striking light:
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
The king, his courtiers, and priests, all fear
Arrival of a challenge to their might:
The rumor is a rendezvous draws near.
The wise in search of something all can cheer
May not rely on ordinary sight:
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
Within a common place may rest one dear
To all who yearn to see the world made right.
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
The rumor is a rendezvous draws near.
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear
(Though winter’s scheduling an arctic flight).
The rumor is a rendezvous draws near.
Some say a telling sign will soon appear,
Though evidence this may be so is slight:
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
Pale skeptics may be perfectly sincere
To postulate no ground for hope, despite
The rumor that a rendezvous draws near.
More enterprising souls may shed a tear
And, looking up, behold a striking light:
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
The king, his courtiers, and priests, all fear
Arrival of a challenge to their might:
The rumor is a rendezvous draws near.
The wise in search of something all can cheer
May not rely on ordinary sight:
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
Within a common place may rest one dear
To all who yearn to see the world made right.
The leaves are fallen, but the sky is clear.
The rumor is a rendezvous draws near.
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