I enjoy running errands because it's a great time to observe humanity at its dumbest. Between the post office, the bank, the library and the grocery store, i've noticed that most people can manage to screw up the most repetitive and/or self-explanatory tasks ( Read more... )

Something Missing in America's National Parks

you're damn right...me! (and my ilk)

Half of the Yankees are currently on the DL (Down Low?) and so it's time for the yankee critics to trot out the "overpaid and old" argument. A useful argument, but not in this situation. None of the injuries are age related. If Hideki Matsui were 5 years younger, would his wrist have just bent when he landed on it, instead of breaking? If A-Rod ( Read more... )

Hugh Laurie did a taping of Inside the Actors Studio this week and Kim, Vic and I were there. I met Kim at City Hall in the middle of one of the worst downpours i've ever seen. I was working my way up Broadway, going awning to awning, and we waited as long as we could, but eventually had to walk through ankle-deep water to get in line (under an ( Read more... )

The best presentation of the practicalities of illegal immigration - you rock, Anna Quindlen.

I was just listening to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me on NPR and the first caller was a British and American Lit teacher in a Chicago high school. One of the panelists asked "Do you still make the kids read Billy Budd?" and what was the teacher's reply? "I've never heard of that"

this evening at the grocery store, i found myself surrounded by one of the worst elements of society: white trash. At least three generations worth, with less than 50 years separating the oldest from the youngest. all poster children for diabetes. kids running amok. sleeveless t shirts. threats of beatings. and oh the screaming. with my ( Read more... )

within the last 24 hours I

1) saw a gorgeous tweedy man read Hal
2) got Guster tickets
3) got a TA spot with tuition remission and a stipend

This whole weekend was horrid and rainy but i went way uptown yesterday for the Shakespeare Marathon at Symphony Space. I'd like to tell you that I went as a devotee of the arts and a fan of the Bard, but 90% of my motivation came from the fact that Robert Sean Leonard was going to be reading Hal in Henry IV Pt 1. All in all, the event was ( Read more... )

for some reason, my local npr station not only switches to bbc world news at night but switches to the french-language broadcast, so i drifted off to sleep listening to a discussion of some problem going on between chad and the ivory coast. maybe it wasn't a problem - it could have been a new peace accord for all i know. either way, i think ( Read more... )