Potluck Dinner Weds!

Emily has kindly offered to host a gathering--I propose Weds. early-ish [6 or 7] to allow subsequent young-folk activities [work or play]! If half of us bring dishes, we'll have plenty for all... so none fear culinary duties. I can also do it Thurs. or even Friday, but I fear too many of you will have flown the coop by then. I really would like to see everyone again in an even less formal setting!

here it is

I, the final arbiter

and ultimate enforcer

of such things (appointed by the king!), make official

and binding this: that the eyes shall be gouged out

and replaced by hot coals

in the head, the blockhead,

of each citizen who,

upon reaching his/her majority,

has yet to read

Moby-Dick, by Mr. Herman Melville (1819-1891), American

novelist

and poet.

a poem

I ran across this poem on NPR... "Eyes Scooped Out and Replaced by Hot Coals" by Thomas Lux.

I think Melville would appreciate this

A typographer designed a series of images based on Moby-Dick and the letter E. very intriguing, and pretty.


http://www.futureofthebook.org/blog/archives/typography/

Melville and Kafka

When I read Bartleby, I made connections to Kafka's The Hunger Artist, but didn't think much of it.

Now, reading Tartarus of Maids, I realize that it intensely resembles Kafka's In The Penal Colony!

Has anyone else who's read these noticed the parallels? There's probably no evidence that Kafka read Melville, but the parallels are far too striking to ignore.

The Simpsons - Season 4 - Last Exit to Springfield

I love the early seasons of The Simpsons. In a season 4 episode called "Last Exit to Springfield," Burns eliminates the dental plan from his workers' benefits, causing them to strike. In the climax point, Burns says, "Springfield, from hell’s heart I stab at thee" just before he turns out the power to the entire city.

On a random note, this episode is also considered one of the series' best. Click on the title to see a wikipedia blurb on it.

beer

"Call me Ishmael... Our honey-colored English-style pale ale is generously hopped with Goldings for a light fruity aroma, and brewed with boatloads of crystal malt for a sweet caramel finish. A white whale of a good time!" It isn't.