The Trending Curve

James, as always, keeps us a step ahead of the teeming hordes. There's an article about Flann in today's NY Times (I haven't watched the show, but it's also about Lost).

At Swim-Two-Birds Proposed Reading Schedule...

The Cat has asked about a reading schedule. I'm thinking that because this book is not particularly long (and likely is the shortest one we've done) that we have three meetings.

At Swim-Two-Birds is not divided into chapters. Chapter I is the whole book; however, O'Brien has provided some convenient stopping places.

Meeting One: March 7. Most of you are reading the white book. You will be reading from the beginning through the section beginning at page 59, specifically called Synopsis, being a summary of what has gone before, FOR THE BENEFIT OF NEW READERS.

Since TD & I have the blue book, that section begins on page 85. Others who may have the blue book need to take note.

Meeting Two: March 21. Picking up from where we left off, we'll read through the section beginning at page 162, again specifically called Synopsis, being a summary of what has gone before, for the benefit of new readers.

Since TD & I have the blue book, that section begins on page 235. Others who may have the blue book need to take note.

Meeting 3. By this time, we should finish the book. FP had asked about the scheduling a couple weeks ago, and I mentioned that I was hoping that the last meeting would be on April 1 (a Saturday) because I found out in the course of doing a little research that Flann O'Brien died on April 1, 1966. There appeared to be some general agreement with my notion if I'm not mistaken. I'm thinking we could raise some pints in honor of the author on the fortieth anniversary of his death.

and BTW, which one's Pink?

One thing I would like to throw out there is my phone books. I don't know where to recycle them, and although I've been told someone can take them at Rainbow, I would just rather wait and find a recycle bin where I can dump them. I don't know why. Rainbow's a nice enough place. The second thing I would like to throw out there is that if we plan on eating a down home Southern dinner, we could go to Cracker Barrel. Otherwise, I might can fry up some green tomaders ... but as I write that I realize it is winter and there are none. I could bake some bannana nut bread - however I only did that once in 8th grade, and it isn't especially Southern anyway. However, watching the Historical Writers DVD would also be fun, yet I think if we do that then bringing a dish should be optional, in that the dishes of this genre take some cooking that I'm not prepared for. So write back with opinions and a guess as to how many bricks fell out of the wcdons wall. The one that gets nearest the correct amount wins a free drink poured on their head.

Edward P. Jones on MPB Thursday night at 9...

MPB is rebroadcasting an interview of historical fiction writers. I thought I'd post it on the blog. Thanks go to Lemuria for the heads-up.

The Known World banquet night

I was wondering if we are going to plan a menu for the 22nd? I was thinking of bringing cornbread and/or white bread and a green bean casserole. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Also, my friend Catherine said she would love to join the PBCS. I thought that I would bring her on the 22nd to meet everyone since it will turn social after we discuss TKW. I will pay for her part in the food. Is this ok with everyone? She has purchased her copy of the new book and is looking forward to reading it with us.

I hope all is well with you all.

The Cat

The fiasco our literary fellowship

We are meeting tonight. It is officially a postponement, so the schedule of getting through the 5th chapter still holds. Although I talked to FP at the grocery store and we agreed we should go for another chapter. As always it's up to Diplo, but if it's my call we meet.

Addendum. I'm editing this after I've read Diplos response to tonight. Why don't we just scrap this book and make plans for the next one. I mean really. I won't take offense. I personally don't want to go into the reading and hear things mentioned that I haven't read about. I don't know what to do. I say lets scrap TKW, get At Swim, and set the first meeting date on that one.

Great bright student vegetarian*

So did anyone go to see Mlle. Sittenfeld?
I had to skip The Known World to read, among other things, this for work. I'm really enjoying it but I'm a sucker for the old Latvians-living-in-Milwaukee-in-the-late-80's-with-sweet-yet-comical-results chestnut. I've optimistically ordered At Swim-Two-Birds though. James Joyce says, about Flann O'Brien, "that's a real writer." Isn't that like Chuck Norris begging you to take it easy on him? Or maybe it's like making a sandwich and then Emeril or that formerly fat Subway commercial man telling you that it's a really very good sandwich. Hmm. Well, it's like something.

*This title is composed of words my web browser suggested when I clicked in the title box. It must have a meaning but it's certainly not autobiographical.

meeting?

Hey, are we going to meet this week?