everything that rises must converge

LOIS: You look really solemn. ME: Eh, I’m just frustrated. I’ve started two novels in the past hour, and they were both terrible. LOIS: Write a novel yourself. ME: I am, that’s the… Read More →

the short version of the interview

INTERVIEWER: What were some of the places you dreamed of visiting during those years? KUGELMASS: Interestingly, I’ve never had a strong preference for places. This has been true for as long as anyone… Read More →

My Day (With Apologies to Harper’s Index)

Total time spent on bed-related issues: 2 hours Amount of these two hours that were spent on fitted sheet: 15 minutes Amount of time doing exchange at Bed Bath & Beyond: 30 minutes… Read More →

On Writer’s Block and Responding to the Joker comments

Dear readers, Happy Indian summer, everybody! Even if you’ve already headed back to school, or are working an eight-to-five, there’s a dreamlike haze to August, a feeling as though there’s still one or… Read More →

Parodying Academic Blogging

(x-posted to The Valve) Dear readers, In the spirit of the MLAde 2007, produced by two very funny UC Irvine grad students and distributed, guerrilla-style, around the conference, I’m pleased to present this… Read More →

The Feminist Bookstore Video and Yes Means Yes

That prankster Jessica Valenti, of Feministing, is back at it (in the aftermath of her book Full Frontal Feminism) with an essay collection in progress entitled Yes Means Yes. As sometimes happens, I’ve… Read More →

Absolutely Fun and True Facts, Chapter One: I Am Defamed

Dear readers, I’m working my way through a draft of my dissertation prospectus, with a little help from Soren Kierkegaard’s Stages on Life’s Way. I’m also really enjoying teaching Persuasion and The Bluest… Read More →

(Radio Interview) These Cats Aren’t Laughing Out Loud

(x-posted to The Valve) (The following are excerpts from a recorded interview between Terri Gross and Lion-O, the young lord of the Thundercats. It was originally aired on National Public Radio and its… Read More →

Cormac McCarthy: “God Is A Little Boy, And Also Trout”

(x-posted to The Valve) I’ve just finished reading Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, which set everyone’s hair on fire. As an example of style, it works; the book is criss-crossed by references to ash… Read More →

It’s An Actual Conversation Post! (AFTF #5)

Please note: readers of the previous post may be disappointed that the post was not labeled “Ha Ha.” That is why I have written this post. This actual conversation is one hour old.… Read More →