Fuck You, Kevin McHale

I can't believe you compelled me to purchase this.

I Can't Wait to Read This

Some (incompetent? insubordinate?) bookseller at the bookstore in very close proximity to my office (which shall, of course, remain anonymous) made the mistake of placing Denis Johnson's new novel, Tree of Smoke, out on the stacks a week earlier than its release date--and I can't thank her/him enough.

With all due respect, fuck Harry Potter. THIS is the one book I've wanted to read all year, the tome I've wanted to forcefully sacrifice my sleep for and to read well into the wee hours of the evening and early morning on a caffeine-infused bender of words. I want to inhale this book. Devour it.

And now I get to do so an entire week early--and right before a three-day weekend. Happy summer, indeed.

Thank you, you beautiful renegade bookseller. Thank you.

Happy Birthday, Bobby!!!

Crazy game, eh?

"I don't think I'll ever see that again," Morneau said. "Two guys on third base, and all of a sudden, two guys out. We'll take it."

You and me both, J-Dogg. You and me both.

Kurt Vonnegut, 1922-2007

So it goes.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Vikes 2007-08 Schedule Released

See Week 8. I'm counting down the days...


Week 1 vs. Atlanta, noon, on Sept. 9

Week 2 at Detroit, 3:05 p.m., on Sept. 16

Week 3 at Kansas City, noon, on Sept. 23

Week 4 vs. Green Bay, noon, on Sept. 30

Week 5 Bye, Oct. 7

Week 6 at Chicago, noon, Oct. 14

Week 7 at Dallas, noon, Oct. 21

Week 8 vs. Philadelphia, noon, Oct. 28

Week 9 vs. San Diego, noon, Nov. 4

Week 10 at Green Bay, noon, Nov. 11

Week 11 vs. Oakland, noon, Nov. 18

Week 12 at New York Giants, noon, Nov. 25

Week 13 vs. Detroit, noon, Dec. 2

Week 14 at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m., Dec. 9

Week 15 vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17

Week 16 vs. Washington, noon, Dec. 23

Week 17 at Denver, 3:15 p.m., Dec. 30

Random Minnesota-Centric Notes of the Day

1. I fucking hate the motherfucking Yankees.

2a. It's baseball season again! I had a wonderful time last week in Minny watching our boys beat up on Baltimore in the Metrodome with a motley crew of friends and family. It was great to see you all. We really miss you all.

2b. I purchased MLB.TV's season package last night, so now I can watch broadcast-quality streaming on my laptop. Though a had a couple issues with the stream about 90 minutes into the game, I wholeheartedly endorse this wonderful product. It's a godsend to an out-of-town diehard Twins fan like me who doesn't want to throw down for DirectTV's Ext[ortion]ra Inning package.

2c. Last thing on the beginning of baseball season: I am now a Phillies season ticket holder. Yes, the Phils have a great ticket package--Sunday afternoons only--so the Little Lady and I will watch the local 9 try to stave off their current bout of incompetence about 14 times this season. Should be fun, especially if I can catch my first-ever home run ball (We're sitting in left-center). Our first game is this Sunday against the Astros. Will let you know how it shakes out.

2d. Actually, I lied. THIS is the last thing about the baseball season to mention. America's Greatest Rock Band, The Hold Steady, recently released an astonishingly awesome, Twins-centric version of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." You can hear it here:

http://www.myspace.com/theholdsteady

3. I'm on another huge Dylan kick right now. My favorite song of the moment is "Lay Down Your Weary Tune." It's exquisitely beautiful.

4. I'm sure the main reason I'm on the Dylan kick is because I caught the current exhibit at the Weisman, Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-66, with my Mom when I was back in Minneapolis. I can't say enough great things about it.

AND IT IS FREE!

http://www.weisman.umn.edu/exhibits/BobDylan/home.html


Alright, so those are the Minnesota-centric things going on in this Philadelphian's head.

Oh, and I'm 60-odd pages away from finishing Infinite Jest. I'll have to post on that one when I finish it.

GO HOYAS!!!

Dude, I fucking NAILED the Final Four office pool! I called all 4 teams!

Pray for a Florida-Georgetown final, with the Hoyas emerging victorious. King Fun could use some extra scratch...