A Darn of a Yarn

“Both Rowling and Meyer, they’re speaking directly to young people.... The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”

--Stephen King, speaking the truth. And yet...

Twilight is further proof of how good writing and good storytelling often are two totally separate things.

Beauty and the Bong

I think the hooha over the photo of Michael Phelps with the bong is disgusting. The outrage is so phony and pointless. He is, by every account I've seen, a nice guy, not to mention the fact that he just won his country a bazillion gold medals -- he doesn't deserve to get trashed for something practically everyone does or has done themselves.

If he broke a law, fine, but the finger-wagging over what a 23-year-old did at a party is lame lame lame. Chill out, America.

Michael, you're still Phelpsian in my eyes!

Cupcakes

Cupcakes: pirate, monkey, Jaws, veggies, ninja, alien, dog.

Conversion

Me: Would you like some string beans with your tortellini?
Him: Don't try to convert me to your lifestyle.

Earth

I thought that Planet Earth documentary on the Discovery Channel a couple years ago, despite its stunning photography, was pretty dry. This looks like some of the same footage, but in a more palatable package. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the narration of James Earl Jones.

Overheard in New Jersey

"I'd've been Hitler just for the back rubs."

"It's weird that they'd get that bent out of shape over 50 kilos of heroin."