Congratulations, Mr. Blackstone.

The very talented Charles Blackstone (The Week You Weren't Here) has a new anthology out, The Art of Friction. Read the Time Out review here, and then head here to buy it.

Here's the link to the novel The Week You Weren't Here, and to my review thereof (from Identity Theory).

Californians, check out Felicia's new book

My very talented friend Felicia Sullivan (of Small Spiral Notebook) will be reading from her first book, The Sky Isn't Visible From Here, at three bookstores in California. And as a bonus, she will be bringing baked goods!

For more information about both the book and the baked goods, go here.

Wednesday, May 7—SAN FRANCISCO, CA–Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, 7:00 pm

Friday, May 9—LOS ANGELES, CA–Booksoup, 8818 W Sunset Blvd., 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 10–PASADENA, CA– Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., 4:00 pm

Congratulations to frequent Foghorn contributor Ritija Gupta! Chicago's Metromix voted her one-act comedy "Engaging" as a top pick this week.

If you live near Chicago, check it out at Gorilla Tango Theater's night of one acts, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Through April 30. $15. Tickets: gorillatango.com

See more here.

Congratulations to my friend Linara Washington for her film "Kings of the Evening," which will be featured in the Atlanta Film Festival this month.

Read more about the film here and here, and if you live in the Atlanta area, make sure to see "Kings of the Evening," screening April 17th & 18th.

I love Thanksgiving. With thanks to Aubrey and Monty.

At last, Andy Volk has posted this amazing video from Shanghai's Bund Tourism Tunnel.

Gillian, do not click the link above, it will only ruin the surprise.

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!
With November 23rd come and gone, we have now officially entered into the snack corridor, a month-long festival of snacks that runs right along until Christmas. Towards that end, Dev and I spent much of last weekend looking for cranberry sauce in Shanghai - and after many hours searching in the rain, we did indeed find three remaining cans on the shelf of a Lianhua supermarket.

More good news - not only is the weather cool, comfortable, and mosquito-free (we do have bedbugs, but that's another matter), but my company recently hired a geomancer to analyze our new office space and found that I am sitting in the very best spot in the whole building. Feng shui, cranberry sauce, it's a great month.

In other news, Hannah Kaye, one of the most talented people I know, has a website at last.

I plan on updating this site tonight with new music reviews and other things, stay tuned.

From an IM with Gillian:

Gillian: Oh fuck, I cyber-humiliated myself.
I can never show my face in cyberspace again
me: What did you do?

[Gillian explains]

me: The cybershame!
Will you send another email to clarify?
gillian: I'll send a few
me: Each more ridiculous than the last
and more mortifying
gillian: I'm so good at that kind of thing
me: That's your special gift
gillian: Is that a job skill, do you think?
If I were funny, it could be my schtick
me: you are funny
just sad-funny
like a sneezing cat

[Later, I tell an inspirational story]

gillian: Well that is certainly cool
I don't see myself really lucking into anything
though
me: God, what a bleak thing to say
gillian: But seriously, do you see me as the type of person who lucks into a high-paying job or travels the world?
I'm more of the lower working class, lives in a cramped apt and has a crappy job type
me: One could argue for positive thinking in this circumstance
I am often lucky
gillian: I'm just waitin' to die
me: Could you get that into 8 characters for a vanity plate?
w8n2die

More unlikely - and adorable - animal friends, courtesy of Grant Munroe.

Check out my friend Grant's new piece in Smith.