Author Archives: didofoot
The Roald Dahl Omnibus
This weekend I read a bunch of Roald Dahl’s short stories for adults. His stories are told in a voice I associate with Thurber: that boozy, 1950s war-of-the-sexes voice, where male characters are only interested in sex and drinking and female characters are only interested in nagging their husbands and drinking. It’s so far from … Continue reading
The Witch and the Cathedral
The Changeover is a soothing read because nothing really bad happens. I mean, bad things do happen, but you’re removed from the emotion of the scene because of the beauty of the writing. It’s similar to the way Michael Ondaatje can write an emotionally-charged scene that actually calms the reader down — although I’m not … Continue reading
The Changeover
I finished The California Feeling sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk outside our house while Gene changed the oil on his bike. I felt cliched all over again: lolling around on the filthy city ground, happy as a hippie in the sun and shit. (I mean, I hope not shit. But not everyone is thorough about … Continue reading
The California Feeling
Monday found me lounging in the sun by my parents’ pool, sipping a strawberry margarita and reading The California Feeling by Peter S. Beagle. Self, I said to myself, you could not be more cliche right now. Beagle is known for his fantasy novels, especially The Last Unicorn, but in my opinion he saves his … Continue reading
The Dark Angel drinking game
Every time Logan says “genetically engineered killing machine,” take a drink. Every time the central story line is interrupted by wacky bike messenger hijinks having nothing to do with anything, take a drink. Every time the central story line becomes wacky bike messenger hijinks, take a drink. Every time Max must pretend to be a … Continue reading
Cause everyone harbors a secret hatred for the useless-est girl in the room
Our toaster oven has been gradually dying for a while, and yesterday it gave up the fight for good. “Can you fix the toaster?” Gene asked me pleadingly. I am pretty sure he was kidding around, but I happened to be re-reading Y: The Last Man* at the time and suddenly I was flooded with … Continue reading
Bachelorina
On Saturday, six of us went on a limo tour of the wine country for Marina’s bachelorette party. As maid of honor, Michele was in charge of putting this business together, and — as you can see from the photos — she did a bang-up job. Six hour limo trip, wine tasting fees, two hotel … Continue reading
Tarragon and Five
Last night I dreamed up a skinny Labrador puppy and named her Five. The Moms thought I should name her Tarragon, but when I asked my new dog she told me I had guessed right, her name was indeed Five. I have yet to dream a dog who stays properly silent. Who are all these … Continue reading
Still smarting (off)
I went to a party for gay black people on Friday night. Everyone was so nice to me, but I still felt like a sore thumb. (Willow: But do they really? Stick out? I mean, have you ever seen a thumb and thought, “Whoa, that baby is sore”? Xander: You have too many thoughts.) Later … Continue reading
At dinner last night
“So what exactly is the event horizon?” Aaron asked. “Science,” Gene said, using many more words. “About eight p.m.,” I said.