hiatus

As if it isn't already obvious, I've taken a hiatus from this blog.

I may be revamping it in the new year, or I may fully abandon it.

I am not energized in the way I was when I started the "public journal" experiment, but I may be moved to leverage--yes, I used that as a verb like a middle manager--social networking technology to my advantage.

So, don't stay tuned.

But do check out Milwaukee Anthropologist in a few days, because a fresh crop of essays addressing the theme of happiness will be updated soon.

Ando Ehlers practices his accordion in May 2009

Oxford Villanelle

I walk stone streets alone, a rained-on storyteller,
While silent couples, dry and slow, ask me:
Is that what you want, to share an umbrella?

To women I seem to remain that stranger—
There but not, right but wrong, good but free;
I walk stone streets alone, a rained-on storyteller.

My future's not likely to include a bestseller
Not if art imitates my life, certainly;
I market to no one, an unsuccessful peddler

Ignored by social clusters on cusps of gala,
Leaving me to ponder hopelessly:
Is that what you want, to share an umbrella?

Once, I fancied myself a gambler
Shouldering solitude's risk patiently—
I walk stone streets alone, a rained-on storyteller.

But, it never seems to turn ’round, my mandala,
So beyond this point I cannot yet see:
Is that what you want, to share an umbrella?

Recurring pain should inspire a novella.
But how can I ask this her? Why can't we be?
I walk stone streets alone, a rained-on storyteller:
"Is that what you want, to share an umbrella?"
2009.08.04

Impending Adventure

As I prepare to embark on a little three-week adventure, I am contemplating using this blog to communicate some of my forthcoming experiences, in words and photos.

Stay tuned. I don' t yet know how much time or internet access I'll have--or want--where I'm going, so I won't say for sure I'll do something as my friend Craig did on his trip to New Zealand or Pete on his cross-country tour of America's baseball stadiums. But I am inspired by their use of the medium to partially chronicle and communicate their trips.

I depart soon, though mentally and emotionally I am already very tangled up.

Fielder is Home Run Derby winner

Prince Fielder just blasted his way to win the Home Run Derby in St. Louis, including a 503-foot shot to right-center. Congrats, Prince and the Brewers!

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/hr_derby_live.jsp

Nonrandom googling

So I googled "Felicia Day Douglas Adams" to see if two of my favorite creative people had any connections unknown to me, and in addition to stumbling upon the fact that somebody is producing or has produced (unclear) a third Dirk Gently radio play as a Hitchhiker prequel, I came upon this woman's blog. She obviously loves books and happens to live in Madison, Wis. Small world. Good books.

http://strange-and-random-happenstance.blogspot.com/

Belated nod to Michael Crichton's death

Here's a blogger's succinct reflection on Crichton's life.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/perlow/?p=9305