Well gang, I guess it’s time I confess that I’ve been posting these last few months from my cell in a remote Russian gulag.

I finally received a second pillow for good behavior.

We live in an age when you say casually to somebody ‘What’s the story on that?’ and they can run to the computer and tell you within five seconds. That’s fine, but sometimes I’d just as soon continue wondering. We have a deficit of wonder right now.

—Tom Waits

All these acquisitions, and any that aren't here but on the way, are justified by the fact that...I wanted them.

If you listen to Louis Armstrong from 1929, you will never hear anything better than that...You will never hear anything more free than that.

—Steve Lacy

For my running and rowing friends.

"There was a moment in which he knew he could not go on. He had begun at the wrong pace, another and better man's pace, had seen the man come almost at once to the top of his strength, hitting his stride without effort, unlimbering and lining out and away. And like a fool he had taken up the bait, whole and at once, had allowed himself to be run into the ground. In the next instant his lungs should burst, for now they were burning with pain and the pain had crowded out the last and least element of his breath, and he should stumble and fall. But the moment passed. The moment passed, and the next and the next, and he was running still, and still he could see the dark shape of the man running away in the swirling mist, like a motionless shadow. And he held on to the shadow and ran beyond his pain."

—N. Scott Momaday, House Made of Dawn

One of the sexiest faces I've ever seen.

I imagine her attention falling to me, just for a moment, in this crowd, out on the street. I feel her size me up, a knowing critical gaze. Is she instantly writing my story behind those eyes?

She finds me...acceptable.

It's enough.

Currently re-reading Slouching Towards Bethlehem.

You spend too much time reading, Spenser. You know more stuff that don't make you money than anybody I know.

—Robert B. Parker

Lawrence Ferlinghetti, champion of Beat Generation writers passed away this week at 101 years of age.

Here’s the last line of “I Am Waiting” from A Coney Island of the Mind (1958.)

"...and I am awaiting perpetually and forever a renaissance of wonder."

The Final Sentence website contains some riches. It's handy if you are looking for something you've already read, but beware of spoilers. Use the search feature instead of browsing. Or not.

The Coneheads never left. They've been hiding out in SoCal for decades.

Dear ((name)),

Congratulations on your successful campaign to become a U.S Senator/Congressperson.

As you know from your introductory information packet, before you will be allowed to propose any legislation, post to social media, or be interviewed by any journalists or news networks, you must complete an introductory course in playing the Cas Cas. Thankfully, for the American people, this will likely be a lengthy process.

You should be receiving your Cas Cas shortly. Please view the video linked below for an example of how the instrument should be played.
When you feel you are ready, you may schedule a time to come in and demonstrate that your Cas Cas skills are sufficient.

Once you pass your Cas Cas audition you will have a useful benchmark for determining the worthiness of any legislation you may be considering.

Ask yourself, “Is this legislation at least as valuable to humanity as listening to someone play the Cas Cas?”

Chances are the answer will be no.

Welcome to Washington, D.C.

How to Play the Cas Cas