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Two books I've recently enjoyed:

Caucasia by Danzy Senna. In the 1970s, a young biracial girl flees from the FBI with her white radical mother, passing for Jewish in rural New Hampshire and wondering when her father will come back to her. "A long time ago I disappeared. One day I was here, the next I was gone. It happened as quickly as all that." From these opening sentences I was expecting a more... poetic book than it is. Instead, it's mostly just a story, but it's a very good one. (Times review.)

The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith. A trader in autographs tries to juggle, among other things, a collapsing relationship, an impending ceremony for his long-dead father, and a search for the movie star he's idolized since childhood. Much thematic material on fame, loss, Jewishness, and moviegoing. Some of which sounds pretty heavy, but mostly the book made me laugh, which is rare and appreciated. (Downish Times review.)

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As I was standing in the Insurance/Membership line at AAA, a middle-aged couple was told to wait "right behind this gentleman" (yours truly) and someone would help them shortly.

"If there's going to be a long line, we should come back later," said the woman. Aside from me, the line consisted of one person, already being helped at the counter.

When another young man joined the queue, the Insurance/Membership staffer called for backup. "That's right, lady," muttered the woman behind me. "You'd better get someone else up there."

The person in front of me completed her transaction and left the office. I moved up, leaned on the counter, and idly browsed brochures as I waited for the staffer to finish up some paperwork. The woman behind me saw her chance. They hurried to the counter next to me and successfully demanded attention while I was politely waiting for it.

The business they were rushing to complete: The man had AAA auto insurance, and wanted to know how to add the woman to his policy, now that they're getting married.

Years of wedded bliss.

internal tensions

Some of you have heard this stuff before:

( Late night thoughts about my musical history, alone and with others. )

So anyway, if the logistics work out, it looks like I'm going to get Dave to record some drum tracks for me. Hooray!