kidsmoke

Best vibes, Ellen! I hope some smart boss snaps you right up, into a better and better-paying job! Vibes to everyone who's struggling to get or stay employed.

That sounds terrific! I'm going to add that to my Wanna-Read list! I was just having a craving the other day to unload my turntable & listen to Phil Ochs. All this synchronicity is blowing my mind. I just two minutes ago finished reading David James Duncan's incredible "My Story as Told by Water".....which I heartily recommend, what a beautiful collection!....and he mentions and quotes Sherman Alexie at various points in the book, since the two of them are good friends. One of the essays toward the book's end is Duncan & Alexie in a fabulous & moving dream Duncan had. (Sounds c

Wow, that was eerie to watch. All of it sounded so calmly resigned as everyone just did what they had to. Truly amazing.

I wish you strength and new beginnings! I hope we'll see you soon.

Mende, all my sympathies for you and your country in the wake of these devastating fires! Thanks for posting this link. I'm sure some of our members will want to donate to help the wild critters recover. Have authorities confirmed that these fires were arson, as suspected? How sad.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, folks, but I have to repeat our oft-stated rule that videos of live Wilco/Tweedy shows are not to be posted on Via Chicago. As the band has always said, they do not allow or condone the videotaping of shows, and if people do so, it could result in the banning of all taping and cameras from shows in the future. Please respect the policy. Thanks, The Management

Sorry to be a wet blanket, folks, but I have to repeat our oft-stated rule that videos of this type are not to be posted on Via Chicago. As the band has always said, they do not allow or condone the videotaping of shows, and if people do so, it could result in the banning of all taping and cameras from shows in the future. Please respect the policy. Thanks, The Management

I don't mind the occasional grand challenge, and besides, Duncan's Brothers K has me curious to see why he named it so similarly to Brothers Karamazov. I may have to see whether Tom still has his copy of The Brothers Karamazov....otherwise, the library will do. Though that might mean I'd have to renew several times! I've just finished reading The Cider House Rules and Molly's right...while the movie wasn't awful, it couldn't begin to capture the depth and scope of the book! Really a beautiful story, and I love that Irving takes the time to really let you get to know his characters. It resul

I should clarify that David James Duncan's "The Brothers K" is not the same book as "The Brothers Karamazov", though the reference is intentional. In fact, the brothers in "The Brothers K" do not even have a last name beginning with K...their last name is Chance. My son Tom had to read "The Brothers Karamazov" at one point in school, so he was able to tell me that there are reasons Duncan named his book as he did. I've never read "Karamazov" myself, but now I want to because of "The Brothers K". It's got me curious! Do you think I'd survive it, Lammy? After that, "War and Peace" and "Moby

It's another of those great big books that slowly but surely draws you in with the beautiful writing and the involved individual stories. I love these characters like family (only without all the bickering at get-togethers ). I don't think I've ever hated more for a book to end. I wanted it to go on forever.

Dear Ben, a birthday of this caliber should not be missed! Have cake and a wonderful year! It's raspberry pistachio, and as unique as you yourself!

It is purely impossible that I have managed to miss this momentous occasion, therefore I have commissioned Superman himself (a Kansas boy!) to spin the world backwards on its axis and thereby turn the clock in reverse until, lo and behold, here it is February 8th again. (Apologies to any of you who didn't want to re-experience the previous week.) O lady of the floofy clouds, HAPPIEST EVER OF BIRTHDAYS!!!!! I give you cake! It is of course a Cloud Cake! Eat and be fluffy! PS - In a world in which Superduperman can adjust the date, surely there is some way we can get together in the com

To put it mildly!

Yes, Lotti, but can the fans expect there to be a leak any time soon?

Maggie, I just noticed Mark Doty's name on your list....I'll have to read Heaven's Coast! Doty's "Dog Years" was a gorgeous, gorgeous book. If you haven't read that one, do!

I've got three books (adult level) and one children's book that would make the cut, and although I know a 5th (and more) exist out there, I just can't call them to mind right now. So I'll go ahead and post these 4 beloved books that moved me so powerfully. 1.) The Brothers K, by David James Duncan - A beautifully told family saga that lives on in your head long after reading. His "The River Why" is terrific, too. 2.) A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving - HOW CAN YOU HELP BUT LOVE OWEN & THIS BOOK? That was to be read in Owen's voice, and was for Austrya. 3.) The "Awakenings" spe

I'm another huge fan of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" And two bobs, you know I love the stuff you've listed! Only somehow I've missed The Phantom Tollbooth, tho' I know my kids have read it. Need to read it myself.

This is such a great topic, and it's going to make my reading selections for this year so much easier! I'll be furiously jotting down titles. As for myself, I have two clear-cut favorites, but will need to consider before coming up with 5. Even so, it'll be "5 books I'm passionate about" more than my top 5. I can't do top anythings because on different days, different ones stand out. But I do have some favorites. Coming soon to a topic near you!

Everybody loves Robert. And why not? Happy happy, dear boy!

Warmest birthday wishes across the miles to my birthday-sharing radiant beauty sis. I thought of you today with much love.

Thank you, everybody....you are fer sure the nicest bunch of internet friends (and in some cases, luckily for me, also real life friends) a girl could ever have. Thank you for all the kind wishes and love. You've made this a beautiful day for me. to all of you! PS - Noodle the puppy is just fine, bjorn...he's grown up to be such a handsome, smart, lovable little guy! He's currently curled in a tight ball on my pillow, exhausted after a day of dragging toys all over the house, flinging them wildly for himself to fetch (who needs humans?!) and tearing up a big hunk of cardboard somebody left

Aw, thank you all so much for your good wishes and congratulations! I'll be sure Tom takes a look at this thread once he comes down from Cloud 9. No need to stop the party! The victuals & drinks & pudding pool have been refreshed for your enjoyment! (Tapioca this time!) And please....no need to return lampshades or grass skirts which have become pudding-sodden. Keep them as souvenirs of this grand date in American history. You're welcome. PS to uncool2pillow: I too am constantly surprised that I have adult children, since I only brought them home from the hospital like, a week a

Thanks. I'm in awe of Tom's scientific brain myself.....he's just a natural. I think he could do some really good things. You've reminded me of a t-shirt I gave him last Christmas. It reads, "I'm no rocket surgeon".

Please join me in a hearty round of applause for my 22-yr-old son Thomas, who got word today that he has been accepted into Graduate School at UC Riverside, in neuroscience. It's been a long, hard haul, but he's made his family very proud and has clearly impressed the admissions people, who accepted him with open arms and the Dean's High Honor Fellowship, which I have probably misremembered the name of (but that's close). Tom's overjoyed....neuroscience is his passion. He wants to go into research, and I have every confidence that he will be brilliant at it. So a celebration is

Wow. That's some mind-bending survival there.