Gasp!

Books longlisted for the Orange Prize

The Guardian has a fabulous gallery of book longlisted for the Orange prize in fiction. For those who don't know, this U.K. prize is open to female writers throughout the world who write in the English language. It is meant to draw attention to female writers who might otherwise be ignored by the mainstream. It is also one of the few literary prizes that is judged solely by women.

In light of the Nobel Prize controversy back in October, I wonder what it says that nine of the 20 longlisters are American. Perhaps we suddenly developed a talent for participating in "the big dialogue of literature."

Link to Seattle Post-Intelligencer's last book column

John Marshall, Seattle P-I's book critic, says goodbye with a farewell list of memories. Today is the last day of its printed edition.

Memo to David Foster Wallace readers

There's a few of you out there who are discussing David Foster Wallace's work. I'd like to point you in the direction of Bill Thornton, who has several thoughts on the subject.

Vestavia Hills Public Library and Lynyrd Skynyrd

In today's Birmingham News, William Singleton writes about a book controversy at the Vestavia Hills Public Library. A patron complained that the book, "The Seventies: the Great Shift in American Culture, Society and Politics" by Bruce J. Schulman cast Lynyrd Skynyrd as neo-conservative and racist. The article gives a fabulous glimpse at how one library handles this type of complaint. Keep in mind that other libraries throughout the country may handle the situation differently.

Got Stock?

Jim Puplava's hour long show on a brewing scandal involving the internet and people who are paid to bash companies so their stock will go down. They also describe other forms of naked shortselling, and stop the show to watch it happen live. Fascinating, even if you aren't a market wonk.

A basher comes clean on stock forums when he describes what he did for a living. Excerpt: As many of you are aware, I am a paid 'basher'. As childish as bashing might seem on the surface, a lot of money actually exchanges hands based on the work we do. 

Monday Three

A world-wide Ebay strike? Small Press Blog tells us that Ebayers are in revolt. No activity on Ebay from February 18 to February 25.

If World War II pin-ups are your thing, scroll through the Skylighters, The Web Site of the 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion. It also includes memories from World War II soldiers.

If you're traveling overseas with one of those new-fangled RFID US passports, you might want to check out the RFID Blocking Passport Billfold. If you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about, you might want to read this quick article.

Mid-Afternoon Must Read

Maud Newton's summary of David Payne's essay on how Northerners view Southern writing. Bias? I never would've believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Of course, these things don't really exist. That's what they tell me anyway...

Roger & Me, another kind of story

Perhaps you’ve heard of Roger Armbrust. He was national news editor of Back Stage, where he covered entertainment, theater and acting.

He’s also my good friend.

While I was a playwright in New York, I never wanted to “use” Roger. Whenever we went out for coffee or dinner in the Village, we always talked about writing and spirituality. Occasionally, we spoke about theater. It was always in the periphery.

Instead, we were just two writers hanging out together.

When I left New York, Roger and I kept in touch. I could hear how much he wanted out of the city. Despite living many years in New York City, he never lost his southern accent. I could hear how much he longed for Little Rock.

He finally left the city, I lost touch with him for a little while. A couple of months ago, we reconnected via blogging. And now, he’s a link on my site.

And that’s the story of Roger and me.

Recommended link of the day: Gigglechick

I'm going to start updating my links shortly. I don't think I'm taking anyone off, but there are several that will be added.

Meanwhile, check out Gigglechick's take on how to use a Neti pot. I (heart) Gigglechick. The video is towards the bottom. You'll see a woman holding what looks to be a magic genie bottle.

If you've never been on her site before, I suggest clicking through it. I also like how she interacts with her readers, especially the nitwits.

Thoughts on Bukowski

Dark Party Review has an interview with Linda King, who had a "frequent relationship" with Charles Bukowski. I can't imagine being part of a "fighting couple" for five years.

Too Funny

Check it out. You won't regret it.

Blogging the SoCal Fire

A link to the Ramona Sentinel's blog coverage of the devastating Witch Fire.

Monday Morning Link

Watching these guys dance made me happy.

Politically Incorrect History

Every now and then, I run across an historical perspective that makes my head spin. This is one of them.

Recap: The Week Thus Far

I didn't mean to take a short hiatus. Suddenly, it's Thursday.

What happened this week?

A few days ago, I celebrated my birthday. I am a big new nameless number. Jethro gave me a cool birthday present, which I heartily recommend for every former New Yorker.

I cleaned my computer desktop of random files. Oops! I accidentally trashed eight hours of research along with those files. So I plunked down the money for data recovery software.

Cats love Rosie Rats. I finally found them on the net.

I've been writing everything I spend, just like Dave Ramsey tells me to do. I even used his envelope system. So far, so good.

Worked on my new writing project, which isn't so new. It feels new, but doesn't have that new car scent.

Speaking of cars, I mourn for the days I could walk to work. Jethro's chick magnet broke down this morning. There's nothing more unattractive than being stranded. Though the sight of a man working on a car is strangely... Well... Anyway...

Stories of the Great Depression

You can read some terrific family stories of the Great Depression at this forum.

Click quick, I don't know how long the thread will be accessible.

Spare Links

I'm still catching up from my pseudo-vacation. Things are slow-going. So, what I would've written about last week is this:

• Per Bibliophile Bullpen, this cat pencil sharpener is totally funny - and very cool.

• Quinn MacDonald makes gorgeous bowls. Pass it on.

• Mr. Ephemera hates Roy Rogers. Me too.

And if you happen to live next to a half-an-acre garden, you will most likely need the following recipes:

• Zucchini Bread

• Yellow Squash Bread

I have some serious "drowning in yellow squash" issues. If you know of any good ideas that involve Yellow Squash, please keep me in mind. Thanks.

Crosby Pan

This week's Hartford Advocate has published a fine pan of David Crosby's new book, How I Survived Everything and Lived to Tell about It.

I guess one could argue that reviewers should judge the book instead of the person. But this is, after all, an autobio. Any story with a subhead of "shithead" deserves to be read and admired from afar.

Slinky Links - Things to do on a Monday Morning

For a good time and alternative perspective...

• Ephemera does it again. I love spirit photography. How cool is that?

• Listen to Whitley Streiber's free show, Dreamland, over the net. This week... Time Acceleration and 2012.

• Grow a set and get your information from alternative sources.

• Become a faux Bay Area citizen. Read Minerva's weekly horoscope. Rumor has it that she's really an astrologer.

  Oh yeah, and don't forget to lighten up. More cowbell, less everything else.

The Intellectuals are Coming

I love reading about social cycles and future trends. Here's a fascinating book review/explanation of Dr. Ravi Batra's The New Golden Age. He believes that a new golden age might be upon us, as the Acquisition Age might be running its course.

Optimistically, he believes its only a matter of time before the intellectual class takes control.

Imagine...

Dick Cavett instead of Jay Leno.

Gore Vidal (or practically any author) circa 1967 instead of James Frey.

Janis Joplin (who could discuss Evelyn Waugh before rocking out) versus Britney Spears.

Perhaps that's why I can't get beyond 1979 in my book collection. Or why I'm at odds with the current culture. The Acquisitors have been in power.

Well, it makes sense to me anyway...

Highly Recommended

A fabulous book review by Kathryn Harrison. The book? Twenty-Eight Artists and Two Saints by Joan Acocella. (Thanks Maud)

Sharing the Information

Over the years, I've accumulated a sizeable selection of bookmarks that could be helpful to other writers. So, in an effort to share the information, I'm going to start posting my "helpful places on the net."

My first is a yahoo group for writing jobs, called PayingWriterJobs. It's an active group with over 1500 members. It's also moderated. The list contains only jobs - freelance, permanent, contract, as well as contests - that pay money.Each member is asked to submit one paying job per month to be a part of the group. Believe me, it's not hard to do. No free work allowed.

It's a good group, with members from all over the country. I highly recommend it.