Two Things

This man explores whether it's true that there are only Two Things you need to know about any subject and that any other Things related to that subject are peripherally associated with the original Two. It's an interesting theory.

Own Goal

Own-goals are always embarrassing. Here's one where the wind is at fault.

Taxes

I was so very pleased earlier this month when I got our taxes done and filed. I was so very punctual that two days after I filed, another fucking form arrived in the mail--a royalty statement from Amazon for book sales in the amount of $11.48. Since TurboTax recommends waiting until both state and federal refunds are wired, I only today filed the amended returns, which may not be submitted electronically. I printed actual paper and had to write an actual paper check for $13 to the IRS. That's strange math right there; one might even go as far as to call it 'fuzzy' math. Income increased $11.48, which led to our owing $13 more in taxes. Remind me next year not to be punctual.

Hovercrafts

Yikes. I'd long wondered if this sort of thing was going on between parents and their college-aged children. (Feel free to imagine the following sentence being recited, in the voice of an elderly man sitting on a porch rocker, through his three remaining teeth.) The extent of my father's involvement in my college experience was dropping me off, curbside, with my footlocker and Smith Corona typewriter, before we exchanged a firm handshake and he drove off.

Cursive

With prompting from no one, Jane has been assiduously teaching herself cursive writing. Her pengirlship is exceptional.

Two Upcoming Books

There are two books on my to-read list. 1) Tuck Everlasting, a kid's novel from decades ago that never made its way into my hands. I picked up a copy today at the library. 2) The American Way of Eating, a new thing on order with the library and for which I'm 7th in line when it arrives.

A Quote

I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp. --W. Somerset Maugham

You, Please, Look At This

Spending 10 minutes at Engrish.com is always good for a pick-me-up. In this example, I particularly like the prohibition against fish in line 3. (Click the image to enlarge.)

3rd Annual Strange Beauty Film Festival

I was able to catch one of the four screening blocks at this year's Strange Beauty festival. Three years running, I have yet to miss it. It is, in fact, strange. Last night

A sampling of clips from last night's show: Pennipotens, Unsubscribe #4, Kudzu Vine.

My favorite was a 3:30-long stop-motion thing called "Another Dress, Another Button" (no clips to be found). I'm always astounded by the amount of work that must go into stop-motion work.

Showtime

Wednesday night Emma gets to perform in the DPS Evening of Entertainment. For Jane, Kimberly, and me, this means pizza for dinner and then a show. Yippee.

Another Avante Tune

Yet more results of our studio recording session. Here's our attempt at Star of the County Down.

Pizzicato Pussycat

A cartoon from my childhood.

Sex Ed

Julia Sweeney talks Sex Ed with her daughter. I'm still giggling.

Generation Why?

I just finished yet another home-run essay in this year's Best American series and was easily able to find its online counterpart: Zadie Smith's "Generation Why?"

Don't Multitask

I've never understood why when I work on one thing at a time, I seem to get more done. I still don't, but this article's ideas please me.