Filthy Lucre

As the American economy continues to flounder (even with the redoubtable Henry Paulson’s speechifying) all I can think about is how two guys once wrote a book entitled Dow 36,000 way back in 1999.

The Amazon reviews are priceless, unlike my 401(k).

Entirely IMHO

It’s not exactly new news, but it’s nice to hear that PJ Harvey is collaborating directly with John Parish again.

I just can’t grok what people saw in her last three albums starting with Stories From the City, Stories from the Sea.  Then again, I don’t understand why Is This Desire? and Dance Hall at Louse Point are often thought of as her “low points.”

Fun

Improv Everywhere scores again with a “Food Court Musical.”

Sound and Vision

Even if the writing of Steve Erickson’s Zeroville wan’t absolutely stunning (with my only complaint being that he gets a little too cute with his use of a generally innovative numbering system for his novel, going from 1 to 227 and then all the way back down to 0 again), it would still be a book I’d recommend to everyone simply for the scope of its cultural references — not just punk, but descriptions of actual shows at CBGB’s circa the late 1970’s, not just film, but the actual filming of some of Hollywood’s greatest (and worst) product, not just porn, but a rather complicated and unexpected sort of homage to the goddess of euro-trashy soft-core, Sylvia Kristel.

To say that any interesting book defies description is the worst sort of cliched cop-out.

So here’s my cliched cop-out, for now.  I need to go read it again.

Shucks

Congratulations to Hillary for staunching her campaign’s hemorrhaging in Ohio and Texas.  I was really hoping Obama would pull out Texas, at least, but so be it.  In the long run, I still think a fully competitive primary is the best thing for the Democratic party, but then again, getting legal teams involved in the convention rule-making and deliberation would pretty much be the ultimate gift for John McCain.

So here’s hoping cooler heads will realize that the delegate count heading in to the convention is what should matter most (not the recent trial balloons floated by Clinton’s campaign that it’s winning “the big states” that should matter most).

Update: Err, it’s actually starting to looks as if Obama won Texas, at least in terms of the number of delegates he’ll get to seat.

Happy Hunting Grounds

Condolences to the family and friends of Gary Gygax, the inventor of the great, oft-maligned roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons.

I can remember a time when I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know I was pretty much a D&D freak up through parts of high school.  These days, as my Constitution and Charisma scores continue to wane, I can honestly state that some of the best parts of my childhood were spent slaying bad guys and taking their stuff.

And as a friend once noted, dudes who played D&D were bound to score higher on their SAT verbals, what with needing to know the difference between a Bec de Corbin and a Ranseur when the kobolds won their surprise roll (*cough* KILLER DM AMIRITE? *cough*).

Here are some discussion forums where Gary, “The Colonel,” actually answered questions from many a fan over the years.  In any event, godspeed Mr. Gygax.  May a bevy of elven maidens escort you to your justly earned rewards.