What a lovely gray day it is ... Cold enough for a jacket, gray enough for thoughts of a putting a Duraflame in the fireplace and lighting the pilot light on the heter (yes, Duraflame - we're low maintenence around here).
Besides marveling at the weather my days here are being spent in basically the same fashion of school.work.school.work.school.work. Six weeks before the semester is over and I’m just trying to juggle all the books and writing projects.
I have been on a bit of a writing kick lately (well one would hope so right – considering I’m in a creative writing MFA program and all…) – what I mean is that for the first time in a long time I’m actually feeling inspired by an idea for a short story and while I haven’t actually been writing like mad I have eked out about 500 words, jotted down tons of notes and researched facts.
I’m hoping to get quite a bit of writing done over the weekend – hopefully the inspirational Duraflame won’t be out by then.
Speaking of writing. The Village Voice has a piece called ”Should Writing Hurt?” with writer Joseph McElroy interviewing novelist Harry Matthews. If you can get past all the pretentious stuff about writing outside the box and pretextual goals there are some really interesting nuggets of information and insight.
Been listening to a lot of new CDs lately – the ones I’m particularly digging:

• Ron Sexsmith: Cobblestone Runway


• Doug Martsch: Now You Know
  
• Velvet Crush: Soft Sounds
  
• Death Cab For Cutie: You Can Play These Songs With Chords

Meanwhile – a few CDs on my wish-list

• Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things


• the new Sigor Ros


• Thalia Zedek: You’re a Big Girl Now (EP)

Cory and I are going to go see a screening of Eminem’s new film “8 Mile” tonight. It’s directed by Curtis Hanson, the guy who did “The Wonder Boys” and “LA Confidential”. I hated “The Wonder Boys” but really liked “LA Confidential”. I’m not a fan of Eminem but I like the film’s lead actress Brittany Murphy.
So basically I think I have a 50-50 chance of liking the film.
There are actually quite a few films I’d like to see right now:

• Punch Drunk Love


• Bowling for Columbine


• Igby Goes Down

Now I just need to find the time…..

Elsewhere in listville…. This week’s hits-and-misses / things-that-are-occupying my mind:

• Obsessively following the D.C. Sniper story on CNN


• Cold weather and sweaters


• hazelnut cookies


• Giants trailing the World Series


• David Sedaris


• Digs Magazine

….more later…including the Westerberg interview / Q&A….eventually, I swear….