May 11, 2008
Every once in a while, I’ll come across one. Like the opening to Garrison Keillor’s hilarious novel Pontoon, which I’m currently reading:”Evelyn was an insomniac, so when they say she died in her sleep, you had to question...
May 4, 2008
Anyone with kids, who remembers being a kid, or who watches the Simpsons will recognize that oft-grating phrase.It’s usually repeated ad infinitum until Homer relents.But today I’m asking the question about social media.*I’ve been a follower for...
Apr 28, 2008
I recently finished reading Philip Roth’s superb novel, Exit Ghost, the latest (and final?) Zukerman story. Nathan Zukerman, by the way, is Roth’s literary alter ego; a fictional author whose life has mirrored that of his creator’s. Or has it?And...
Apr 5, 2008
I read that the peace symbol turns 50 this year and was a bit taken aback by the news (it didn’t look a day over 40 to me).Actually, I always thought the icon was a U.S. anti-Vietnam war invention and was surprised to find out it was created in 1958 by Gerald...
Feb 29, 2008
Since it’s February 29 and I don’t much care for leap years, it’s the ideal time to propose a fix for the oft inconsistent Gregorian calendar.For starters, leap years ruin the simple symmetry of figuring out the day when your next year’s...
