May 2006 Archives

I'm sitting here in the HKG airport lounge, after having just got off the 14+ hour flight from LAX. By some miracle, I got bumped up to business class on Cathay Pacific, which means I'm much more rested and less grumpy than I expected to be upon my arrival here. The coolest thing, though, was calling my parents' landline using the SkypeOut service. It's something like $.02/minute to call them, and they said that I sounded much clearer than I did when I talked to them via my cell from San Antonio. There's even an add-on called Pamela that is very useful; I've been able to record interviews with informants for my dissertation and save the files as .mp3s.

In a couple of hours, I'll be joining A in Bangkok. We're going to be in Thailand (first Chiang Mai, then Bangkok, then the beach) for two months. I'll be working on my diss (new environment = new focus and inspiration, I hope); he'll be working on a couple of research projects.

My parents reminded me recently that I've always wanted to travel - ever since I was little, I said I would be a "world-traveler" when I grew up. I feel so fortunate to see that dream become a reality.

Wow, this is like the most sincere I've ever been in a blog posting. Hmm. Here's some levity to lighten things up - make an earth sandwich.

Happy travels.

I just happened to catch Tom Wolfe on CSPAN2 (Book TV - and, yes, there is such a thing) speaking at Duke. He ended his talk with a few book recommendations for people interested in learning how to write well. They all come from 1893-1939 - the "greatest time period for the American novel." Also, they're all authors who have influenced his journalistic approach to the novel.

Here's the list:

• The Grapes of Wrath
  
• Red Badge of Courage
  
• Elmer Gantry
  
• Sister Carrie
  
• Appointment in Samarra or BUtterfield 8
  
• Look Homeward Angel

I've read the first two, and now have some new additions to my "should probably read when I have a moment to spare" list. Oh, and I saw Capote last night, and it was amazing.

KEXP just launched their blog, and it looks great. Lots of podcasts and insider info about the indie music scene.

Editor and Publisher just posted a bunch of letters they received from readers responding to Colbert's roast of the Pres (and I do mean roast - YouTube has the videos if you haven't already seen them) at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner.

As one reader appropriately noted, sometimes humor like this just goes too far.

Well, I for one think it's very unkind to make fun of a lunatic, especially if he's president.

Richard Bentley
Tucson, Ariz.

Stephen Colbert, you're my hero.