Why I Don’t Have A Library Card

I have to take notes when I read. How else am I supposed remember what I was thinking the first, third, seventh time I read a paragraph?
So. I was reading Whitman’s Leaves of Grass this morning (mmm-hmm-hmm-hmm) and discovered something I wrote five years ago during Junior Seminar (required for English majors at Haverford College):
“Make [...]

DON’T Fight the Power!

Part Mick Jagger, part Gladys Knight and part Edie Sedgwick. Who could that be?
It’s CAT POWER!!!
I’m nutty about Miss Power, otherwise known as Chan Marshall — who, I guess I should tell you, is an indie/soul singer often spotlighted for her on-stage bouts of hysteria. I think she’s tops. For the past 6-odd years I’ve [...]

“Deuce” vs. “Douche”

I am the most obnoxious, butt-crazy Bruce Springsteen fan in the tri-state area. After 2.5 decades of training, my fanaticism has reached snob-and-a-half caliber.
So recently, my well-meaning colleague and friend John C. attempted to knock me off my high horse.
“Ever hear Bruce’s cover of Blinded by the Light?” he asked.
“No, I’ve never heard his cover [...]

January is Soup-er!

While visiting my sister in Baltimore, I found my gaze tripped by the following wondrous news:
Oh, my god! No wonder I’ve had so much extra spring in my step lately. Soup is my favorite. I could eat soup for breakfast, lunch, lunner, dinner and at the movies. The Matzoh Ball variety is at the top [...]