Amici:
The Easiest Thing in the World is a collection: one novella and short stories, by George V. Higgins ... some of the stories are wonderful, the novella, not so much, but if you want a taste of a master, Higgins is your man. Reading him is a lesson in writing much the same way reading Richard Bausch is a lesson in writing. Get the collection here:
My favorite two (you can’t pick just one) were/are Warm for September and Jack Duggan’s Law ... neither a crime story.
The latest SNHU MFA Newsletter is out ... check it out here ...
Writing and Nature … Darren Rome Leo (or, as he’s affectionately know in the MFA program, DRL … or ... as he’s affectionately known around casa Stella during hockey and football season, el ball breaker) has some more good news:
Darren is utilizing the skills he gained in the program and has launched a workshopping business. Writing and Nature teaches the craft of writing through the lens of the natural world.
Students examine their surroundings in a daylong series of workshops. Utilizing the beauty of New England, from storm tossed beaches to serene forests to alpine mountain tops, Darren illustrates the facets of writing.
The students write, share, and explore. Check it out at writingandnature.com. Email Darren@writingandnature.com for information about SNHU alumni and student discounts.
Mayor Weiner … only in Ameri-cha (or is it just New York?) can a loser who sends pictures of his dick over the internet HAVE TO BE FORCED/AND OR EMBARRASED out of his political job (where you and I would be fired for cause with ZERO chance at unemployment), still retain his lifetime health benefits and a pension … but to add insult to injury, he can then make a comeback to the political scene and wind up being elected Mayor (which is TK’s prediction for the brass-balls mayoral candidate, Anthony Weiner) … what makes me say he’ll win, yous ask?
Obviously, because there’s nobody else in the entire city of New York more qualified. He’s New York’s best chance to do something right for its constituents. New York just can’t find another guy or gal to get the job done. Why’s that, yous ask? I was being as sarcastic as possible, but maybe because New York is no less numb to political scandals than are those around the rest of this great country of ours (more sarcasm).
Honestly, I don’t know ... but if this guy wins, then it’s obvious New Yorkers (and the Democratic Party) couldn’t find anybody else worthy ... like when his first Internet ad featured the city of Pittsburgh in the background—incompetence is as incompetence does.
Is there really nobody on the political horizon the Democratic Party can turn to … or is it because the Democratic Party could care less who represents them, so long as it’s a democrat(?) … because let’s face it, just like their counterparts in crime (the Republican party), it isn’t like they (Democrats or Republicans) represent the suckers that elect them anyway.
Why does this crap bother me so much? No, I don’t care what this loser does in his personal life. And, no, I don’t think it would effect his job performance (except for all the dodging and denying he had to do while supposedly doing the people’s business in Congress) … but here’s where it is an issue for the ugly one (moi) … I believe in workers rights first and foremost, and knowing workers can lose unemployment benefits for being fired for cause (i.e., for doing much less than sending pictures of their peckers over the internet while on the job), while politicians not only aren’t fired (they have to be forced out), they get to retain lifetime health benefits and a pension.
In Charlie world, Anthony Weiner REALLY gets to understand at least some of the people he once represented by working in an all night delicatessen for 30 years … or, if he wants a pension, maybe hauling garbage for the 20 years sanitation workers have to put in before they get one (a pension) … or maybe work as a stripper in a Queens club if he likes to show off his pecker … but the key word is “work” … he needs to work.
He had to resign, he shouldn’t be allowed to run again. In Charlie World, once he engaged in conduct that would get any worker fired for cause, Mr. Phallus, I mean, Weiner, would’ve lost his job, his benefits and his pension, end of story.
SPEED KILLS, BABY …
Nash to Kreider to Boston … First, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! Last week he posted this: “We’ll know more Sunday, but I still see a Ranger domination of the Brunettes ...”
Okay, so I’m not so good at predicting winners ... but Thursday night’s overtime winner, although we were outplayed most of that game as well, showed Ranger heart ... and the game winner, Nash to Kreider (back to Boston), was a thing of beauty. My biggest issue with John Tortorella, besides his acerbic comments about his players (see video below), is his refusal to let young players develop. Chris Kreider scored 5 playoff goals last year ... yes, he makes mistakes at times, but his speed is undeniable, as is his shooting ability. And in a series where we looked like we were skating with weights in our boots, speed was what we need(ed). Demon Speed ... so how ’bout letting the kid score a few more, Torts?
Oh, well … if we lose to the Brunettes, there’s always the next ice age … maybe with one more full season, we can dump Torts at the halfway point (the way the Kings did last year when they picked up Daryl Sutter and won the Cup), especially if we underachieve yet again … then Hagelin can talk about how bad Tortorella’s Power Play coaching was … maybe even say it stinks (or stank … or stunk) … because it sure did ... except Thursday night Brian Boyle found the net, God bless him!
ON THE OTHER HAND, and to be fair, Torts was wonderful in his defense of Brad Richards ... hat tip for his speaking on Richards’ behalf. Let’s call this the “kiss my ass” speech, a classic.
So let us put all our internal angst aside for now and go kick some Brunette ass Saturday afternoon ... that’s what I’m talkin’ about.
Let’s Go Rangers!
SNHU MFA Gradumacationals in just three weeks!
That’s right, amici ... the 2013 graduating MFA class picks up their nifty diplomas (and hats) on June 15 in Manchester, New Hampshire ... and because I cost them too much in food and they can’t afford to feed me again next semester, they’re giving me a pass ... so’s yous keep your eyes open for the festivities. We’re hoping to film them.
—Knucks
Let’s Go Rangers!
