Tuned in

This album is one of the best things to happen to my ears in a while. Released in '98, it's a compilation of Van Morrison's previously unreleased tracks. Some are great, some make it easier to see why they were thrown aside, but this album solidifies Van's place as one of the greatest songwriters ever. "Madame Joy" is my new favorite song, but "Stepping Out Queen part ll" and "Contemplation Rose" aren't far behind. 

Van Morrison is a lyrical god. Buy this. It won't disappoint. 

!!!

Maya Angelou is coming! Maya Angelou is coming! 

Ms. Angelou will be speaking here at the beginning of March. Color me ecstatic. 

INside Magazine

I am incredibly proud of this. 

Joyce Carol Oates

<---- I heard Joyce Carol Oates speak yesterday. The woman is so charming. And, adorably old. She read an exert from her soon-to-be new book, "Wild Nights" based on the poem by Emily Dickinson. It's a collection of fiction stories based on the characters of famous writers like Dickinson, Hemingway, and Faulkner. In the piece, Emily Dickinson was a robot in the future who talked in lyrics. Strange, but a really cool spin on an idea that could have been really cliche. 

Other highlights: 

"You can be a literary writer and never actually meet any real people."

"The most psychologically violent sport is chess. If you're not totally insane when you start, you end up a paranoid schizophrenic." 

"I believe that art is the highest power of the human spirit." 

Jersey Boys

I just saw Jersey Boys - musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - and thought it was great, even from the tip top of the balcony. (Someday, I'll have to go buy tickets where facial expressions are visible.) 

Here's to you, Frankie Valli

My next question: With the trend of 'based on the music of' shows, when is it Aretha's turn? This weekend has been full of her "I never loved a man the way I love you." Life, good. 

Oh, it's far. Not for long.

Six-word memoirs on Love & Heartbreak

Favorites: 

I lured you with my mustache.

Craig's List yields more than furniture. 

A is for apple, B is for bong

"I don't care what Michael Phelps does in his spare time. He could sell sex to homeless people for all I care. He'd still be my hero. Fuck, I think I like him more now ... Folks, you can't overdose on weed. If you could, I'd be dead." 

- My sociology professor. 

Maybe I'll miss classes when they're gone after all.