T.D.

Can't say I'm surprised about the band, who I hadn't even followed closely enough to know the details re. "Hell Freezes Over" etc. I guess what pissed me off was hearing the album and WAL*MART tie-in pimped by a radio station I'd previously regarded as somewhat independent.

I was listening to radio in the car yesterday, and heard some funny (but sad) s**t. The station played a cut from the forthcoming Eagles album, after which the DJ (payola must have been in action) recited the line "the album will be available, starting Sept ? [i forget the date], only at WAL*MART". I'm not an Eagles fan, to say the least, but this struck me as an abomination. Further, the station (WDST, Woodstock NY) is one for which I once had some respect. To his credit, the DJ expressed some displeasure at having to read the promo.

e-mail sent on: Stan Levey Grand Stan Jap paper sleave import new Paul Chambers Quintet CONN

Thanks for reminding me of that album. Have meant to get it, but it slipped my mind. I really like Sickler's Elmo Hope tribute CD, Hope is in the Air.

Yes, good point, I spoke too quickly without knowing anything about App. St. Maybe U-M even deserves a measure of credit for scheduling them instead of some clear patsy like SUNY-Buff. I read on the newswire that App. St. now has the nation's longest win streak...

I can't effin' believe it! Just got home, and am going to have to check scores to make sure you aren't jerking my chain... Agreed, this is the biggest college FB upset I can recall. Serves U-M right for scheduling a bunch of presumed patsies (who are eager to visit the "Big House" and get a decent payday) at home. OTOH, it'll encourage various other eternal "opponents" such as SUNY-Buffalo, which could turn out to be a mixed blessing.

Reverend Ike Ike Quebec Alberta Hunter

Jubilant Sykes Plum Sykes Blossom Dearie

Djokovic, who the NY-area print media has been pimping big-time, barely squeaked by Stepanek. Five sets: three tie-breaks and two 7-5s. Wish I could've seen it...well, maybe not, if the coverage sucked as described.

Yvonne De Carlo Carlo Ponti Sophia Loren

"5 for the price of 1" promo: "To get the 5 CDs for the Price of 1 offer, enter the promotion code "G7C31" in the box on the left side of our website's homepage and click "apply." But hurry! Promo code is only good until 9/5/07!"

Sean Penn Syl Apps Uncle Vanya

Peter Sellers Keith Byars Trader Jack McKeon

Thanks! I owned Hollywood. It's good, but paled a bit on repeated readings, so didn't "make the cut" when I downsized the personal library. Will definitely try Post Office next. There's definitely funny stuff in the short story collections, but some serious darkness mixed in... Interesting that you mention Barfly; Hollywood treatments generally don't fare well with literature fans. I may have to set aside my dislike for Mickey Rourke and rent it.

I liked a couple of short story collections published by City Lights: Tales of Ordinary Madness and The Most Beautiful Woman in Town and other Stories. Read a couple of full-length novels that I liked less. I sort of lack the poetry gene, so can't help in that direction. Disclaimer: I donated all my Bukowski to the library a couple of years back, so I can't say I consider anything indispensable...

Johannes Gutenberg Dan Morgenstern Steve "Bye Bye" Balboni

Seems like as I get older, I follow sports less and less each year... I'm too lazy to work up all these picks every week for 17 weeks in a row. But I'll check the standings, and may return after the regular season, to defend the playoff crown.

Winona Ryder (née Horowitz) Nona Gaprindashvili Ville Nieminen

Rogatien Vachon Lorne "Gump" Worsley Ken Dryden

I see this one around, in a very small town: For a small town, this place sure has a lot of assholes

William S. Burroughs Barenaked Ladies Lydia Lunch

Aldo Nova Aldo Moro Jeanne Moreau

Nick Harper* O. J. Simpson Kordell "Slash" Stewart *NFL players who sustained highly publicized knife wounds at the hands of their wives...

Andrew Vachss Warren Vaché Milkman Jim Turner

We've had relatively few super hot/humid days this summer (in fact, it's been quite a good season in the Catskill region of NY), but the past 3 days have been really horrible. Particularly the humidity. Fortunately, it's supposed to break tonight.