Super Sad True Love Story--a trailer.

No, I haven't read it yet either. But I think the author would approve...

Red Remover

I don't  know if this game actually teaches you physics, as Slate magazine's Procrastinate Better column so  hopefully has it, so much as nicely exploits its principles, but it is fun. Although I've followed the link from their site a few times, sometimes it hasn't worked for me, so here's another way to gain access.

Matchbook Story--another batch of Exquisite Corpses

Kyle Petersen has just posted the results of the Exquisite Corpse game played at the launch party for Matchbook, Volume 2. Since I was there, I'll take a little credit (but not much) for authorship in these.

And my friend Susan McCloskey was chosen as pick of the week this week! Check it out!

Oh, and don't forget that you too can submit a 300 character story. Just go here and you'll see how to do it. It's fun. 

Philosophy Bites

Yes, I can hear some of you out there saying, Amen to that, Sister! Philosophy does bite. And I might have agreed with you--until now. Through some series of links on which I am already not quite clear, I came across this website, which offers free short podcasts on philosophical topics--it's kind of like those Audioforum lectures you always see advertised with famous professors, except that these are short, free and, well, manageable.

Actually, in theory, I like philosophy, as long as it is, uh, dumbed down enough for me to comprehend. Sophie's World, by Jostein Gaarder was about my level, mainly because it was originally written for children, and there's a popular book called Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar, which is about understanding philosophy through jokes that I enjoyed skimming through.
Anyway, you can go to Philosophy Bites and listen to a sample and if you like it sign up for their email. I just got one last night about Meaning in Life by Susan Wolf. This was a relatively straightforward piece, but I liked the way she laid it out. I do think she was a bit hard on Sudoku, though. And unlike Wolf, I don't even attempt them.

Just a Reminder

Did you remember to do your July 1st eavesdropping today? I almost did myself, but remembered suddenly while I was at a large gathering, so have some material if I'm so inclined. There's still 40 minutes to go, California time, so if you're sittitng in some San Francisco bar, shoulder to shoulder with some conversationalists--go for it! 

Matchbook Story, Issue 2

Although this may not be particularly relevant to anyone who doesn't live within commuting distance of Santa Cruz, Matchbook Story is having a bash for the second matchbook volume on July 1st at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery, which is located at 402 Ingalls Street. I'm not an entrant this time, so this doesn't  smack even a little of ruthless self-promotion.

Editor Kyle Petersen probably doesn't really need my help. He had a front page story in the  Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Did I say there was no self-promotion involved? Well, maybe just a little. I was interviewed in said article to hold forth on Matchbook Story and the fate of small local presses in general. Who knows? The words in the article may even be more or less what I said.

July 1st is eavesdropping day in England

I don't live in England, but if I did, I would be very tempted to take part in this interesting competition sponsored by the Guardian. On July 1st, they're challenging everyone to eavesdrop on their neighbors and then take what they record and make some kind of story or other written art piece out of it.

Now frankly, I'm not sure if this really cool, or just mainly cool and a little bit creepy, but in any case if you follow the rules and live in the UK, you might see your work up on their blog or even anthologized. And if you don't live in the UK, why not play along anyway? You can post the result on your own blog, or send it to me and I'll post it here. Subject to my own discretion of course, and you aren't going to be getting any money. Or fame, for that matter. Or copyediting. Basically, you won't be getting anything. Sorry.