I'm working on contributions now for DYSKE magazine online, and contributing to the 2005 wrap-up for January Magazine. I'm finishing up applications this week, and then I have a lot of catching up to do on writing and reading, starting with a stack of non-fiction for the book reviewer's prize committee.

Mourning and Melancholia

Freud's Mourning and Melancholia finally arrived today-- I ordered it and several other books in October with the justification that I needed to bump up my father's birthday order to a minimum that guaranteed free shipping. And so indulgence is wed to generosity.

But I digress. I took a break from real (read: paid) work to start it this afternoon, and of course I highly recommend it - and all the good doctor's work. I also highly recommend Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy for anyone so inclined, whether by intellectual bent or emotional trauma.

Stealing links from Metafilter again, but this is too charming to pass up - Francis Heaney takes an anagram of a famous poet's name and then writes a poem in the style of that poet based on the anagram title. For example, a pithy poem entitled "I Will Alarm Islamic Owls" as written by William Carlos Williams.

Usually these sorts of literary gimmicks are rather tedious, but this really made me laugh. The full text is available free online, though bound copies can also be purchased on Amazon.

What is it with you Jews and your dog toys?

I am simply amazed by how many people are coming to this site while searching for "jewish dog toys." Since these people now account for about half of my hits (the other half, I assume, arriving with bated breath to hear what I have to say about the latest fiction), allow me to provide more information.

I got the toys, pictured again below, at PetCo.



Here's a link with availability and pricing.

You try to lighten the mood with one throwaway joke and look what happens...

I wanted to pass on this message from Rain Taxi, frequent publisher of my invaluable literary opinions:

"RAIN TAXI'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY AUCTION

From December 5th-11th, RAIN TAXI is holding an eBay charity auction featuring signed books, rare first editions, broadsides, chapbooks, and other exciting works by authors beloved by RAIN TAXI and its readers--over 100 items in all! Check in at www.raintaxi.com for full information and links to the auction site."

I've mainly been working on graduate school applications this week-- taking a break now to do some reading for the Northern California Book Reviewers prize and for Rain Taxi. I'm also going to 826 Valencia next week to talk with them about becoming a writing tutor.