We’re big fans of our TiVo, but we don’t hold much stock in its ability to recommend and record shows it thinks we’ll be interested in. To be fair, we haven’t really done our part—by constantly jabbing the “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” button every time we’re watching the tube. This is a function of … Read more
I’m not quite sure how to say this. I realize this is an awkward moment, and I apologize in advance if what I’m about to say hurts your feelings. I certainly value our friendship too much to jeopardize it over something which I fear might sound terribly petty. I can assure you I’ve gone back … Read more
To really appreciate what an amazing accomplishment it is for Joe Mays to be making his first start in a year-and-a-half you almost have to have spent some time around the guy. I honestly have no idea what to expect, but I will say that I seriously never thought he’d make it back. Mays is … Read more
Really, all he wanted was to fill pages, to spill ink across the lines, to blow through as many pens and as many lines and pages and empty black books as he possibly could. He hoped that somehow, in the trickle and torrent of words he might stumble into something that seemed like…the way it … Read more
We got a kick out of DC SOB’s funny item today,
Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes by Billy Collins First, her tippet made of tulle, easily lifted off her shoulders and laid on the back of a wooden chair. And her bonnet, the bow undone with a light forward pull. Then the long white dress, a more complicated matter with mother-of-pearl buttons down the back, so … Read more
You obviously shouldn’t draw too many conclusions based on the first six games of the season, especially since so far it’s been a case of perceptions not exactly measuring up to reality. Or at least some perceptions. I’ve seen all six games, and without looking closely at the numbers I’d say that, with the exception … Read more
We have not had a chance to read Jon Gertner’s entire article from yesterday’s Times Magazine on the Nielsens, Arbitrons, and other media-measuring devices—but we’ve enjoyed what we’ve read so far. It comports with some of the bones we’ve been gnawing on around here in recent days. In two very important ways, these sorts of … Read more
Marginalia by Billy Collins Sometimes the notes are ferocious, skirmishes against the author raging along the borders of every page in tiny black script. If I could just get my hands on you, Kierkegaard, or Conor Cruise O’Brien, they seem to say, I would bolt the door and beat some logic into your head. Other … Read more
Catullus 51 translated by James Michie To me he seems godlike, in my eyes even More than Divine (if that’s not sacriligious), The man who sits beside you all day gazing, Hearing all day Your musical laughter. Dazed by love, he loses The use of all his senses. Oh, the moment, I see you, Lesbia, … Read more