Catch That Foul Language

We don’t care about that foul ball couple. But we do care about their Facebook postings, which underscore the changing state of language. Will “your” ever be accepted as “you’re”? Damn, in lots of places it already is. Populism makes the rules, for better or worse. We’re still reeling over the New Yorker’s decision to use a comma before a conjunction that separates two phrases instead of two sentences. Yes, the internet is changing the way we think. Instead of cyberspace, how about human space travel? Does Mary Roach make it interesting? Gay papacy seems interesting. As does Moliere’s theatre. To return to our grammar soapbox, how about some pickup lines for bookworms? Hpe u njoy ;) — Andrew Geer

We Promise

We attended a political handshaking event last night. Tis the season for government reform platforms and economic development proposals. And a scary season at that, especially for those of us down here in South Carolina. But we’ll divert attention with some less than scary literary links. Kensaburo Oe talks antinuclearism, Hiroshima, and the art of the silent protest. Trivia! Who is Korea’s favorite author? Before you punch your buzzer, hop on over to the Korea Herald. Elsewhere, there’s a new book on Burma’s regime; Mamet went conservative, but did his plays? Geoffrey Hill’s poetry style may be conservative, but at least he leaves his politics on the page. And finally, replace the Bellagio with the NY Public Library, and you’ll have high end book heists. Now go kiss a baby. — Andrew Geer

Wii Think This Is A Bit Much

We’ve never been gamers. Nevertheless, we’re wondering if Wii might provide some sort of mental stimulation. Is there Wii detective writing? Wii haiku? Can one use a Wii to learn the fine art of flowery prose? Alas, one cannot. On the other hand, we have literature stimulation for you. The Los Angeles Times looks at Anarchy in the Revolution. The New York Review of Books finally chimes in on soccer, too bad the World Cup ended last month. Need a quick fix? Not a liquid espresso, but a vending machine of books. E-books bring new business challenges, like price fixing.  Baby Got Books reviews Ordinary Thunderstorms, and Paul Birnbaum uses the Sherrod affair to look at some histories of the Dreyfus affair. Drop your joystick. It’s time to play. — Andrew Geer

Pondering The Cosmos

Someone brought books to work today to be given away. Please don’t think poorly of us for not being phased by David Balducci. Don’t think of us as a snob for ignoring Clive Cussler. And don’t call us obnoxiously high brow for disregarding Brad Thor. Hell, we love Carl Hiassen, and he ain’t winning a Nobel anytime soon. We have a cyberbox of literary giveaways for you this morning. Emily Dickinson’s father may have missed his daughter’s talents. Try these thoughts on Borges and the cosmos for free. John Brandon’s Citrus County raises hearts high, only to knock them down lower. Is the sonnet dead? And how long does it take you to write a novel? Help yourself.  – Andrew Geer

Good For A Laugh

We had a pretty good birthday weekend: swimming on Saturday and the Red Fury taking the Cup to Iberia on Sunday. And we watched a lot of Twin Peaks. That Agent Cooper cracks us up. The works of Mark Twain are usually good for a laugh, as are those of Flannery O’Connor. Worldhum has some serious travel writing to read while you wean off the World Cup, after which you can visit your favorite library — online. It’s just one more way institutions are adapting to a mobile world. Another year, another move.  — Andrew Geer