mmmmhmmmm.

"Television is the first truly democratic culture - the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what people do want." [Clive Barnes]

We don't all belong to the NRA.

This story from the Daily Kos (a few dailies ago, though) really cheered me up. It's the kind of scenario I think of when I think of the cantankerous, independent spirit of West Virginians. Granted, there is a deep-currented and complicated discourse about the mine owners and operators, about the union and loyalties, about individualism, voting, and citizens of the state running through this story, but nevertheless as a sketch of spirit and independence it warms my heart. Bear in mind, West Virginia mines are territory where less than a hundred years ago miners could be shot for this kind of dissent.*




*Please Note: Wikipedia's article calls the WV Mine Wars of 1920-21 the "Redneck Wars". I have never heard this struggle so labeled and I (of course) disagree vehemently with the term. For one thing, it's really hard to get a red-neck when you work underground your whole life (if anyone is confused by the origin of the term "Redneck", let me know. I can set you straight).

The Pleasure of Eliza Lynch: A Novel by Anne Enright

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
very evocative, Enright kind of taps into that dreamscape that is one of the trademarks of South American writing (see Allende). Her narrative flow can be almost too discursive at times, though -- I found myself almost unsure of what kind of traumatic events had occurred, and the disordered chronology didn't help, either.



Still. Excellent.


View all my reviews.

A Scrap: In Keeping With The Theme "Cat's Likes and Dislikes"

1. I like Aquitaine in the South End. I haven't had its steak frites (which the MKA says are amazing) and I couldn't tell you anything about its sister-storefront in Chestnut Hill, Aquitaine Bis. But Aquitaine has grapefruit juice martinis for breakfast and the most perfectly-sized brunch AND a prix-fixe menu that comes with its own subtly-covered sticky bun and good music and great atmosphere and -- and-- and-- it's right next to the Cyclorama so next time the Cyclorama has something awesome you want to see, well, go to brunch at Aquitaine for $10 bucks a pop (not including, sadly, the cocktails) and enjoy the deliciousness.
2. I do NOT like Starbucks' Skinny Lattes, no matter the flavor. I can still taste the aspartame, and I'm sorry but what's the point of eating something sugary if you're not going to have the real-sugar version? I'd rather just have a celery stick. This sentiment goes hand-in-hand with my sentiments about Slim Fast's Optima bars, which taste of pressed cardboard with a sinister sweetness to them. Nor do I remain un-hungry for hours afterward. My stomach usually wants something pronto to combat the havoc wreaked by eating a brick of pulp-wood.
3. I like The Dud Avocado. It's a little ridiculous and sort of poorly written in some respects, reminds me in no small part of a slightly wittier Wodehouse with the Jeeves taken out, but I can respect any comic novel written by a woman about a young lady who betakes herself to Paris for adventures and comes out looking foolish and not at all the wiser for it. Kind of like someone I know, only too well.
4. I definitely detest being sick, especially the week before my birthday. I had a goal for a pair of birthday jeans, and even if it wasn't even remotely close to being recognized I'd have liked to continue working on it. But instead, I was sick. Sick as all get out. Fortunately, this meant I didn't have to do jury duty on Monday. Unfortunately, it means I'll have to serve in June. On a Friday. If any of you, my close friends and companions, have intentions to be nefarious and then get caught in Suffolk County (or is Boston Middlesex County? I don't remember) in the next couple months, save it for early June. I'll try to be on your jury panel, and duly account for your character in a scene reminiscent of Twelve Angry Men.
   

I also like my birthday and its attendant celebrations. Less than a week to go, dear ones!!!

For those of us who will never Play the Dane (when the rainbow is enuf)

Infinitum Poetry presents "They All Want To Play Hamlet" -- a poem by Carl Sandburg

Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster, the Worst Industrial Accident in US History (West Virginia and Appalachia):

Just so everyone knows, this is my dad's book:

Amazon.com: Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster, the Worst Industrial Accident in US History (West Virginia and Appalachia): Books: Davitt McAteer

He put a hell of a lot of work into it, and it shows. It may not be (as Mr. Curry critiques) the most well-edited book, but it took long enough to get the story written.

Bon Anniversaire, Simone!

It's Simone de Beauvoir's birthday today. And Brian Friel's. Sweet.