Disqus - Latest Comments for DH

Re: One for the Crapper: Nick Belardes and his Random Obsessions

DH — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:47:13 -0000

Well...I prefer doppios...I'm funny that way...that's my nickname at my coffee shop...frequented by Napoleon...

Re: The Smoking Cannonball

DH — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:58:10 -0000

Along with what Greg has said (and I'm curious to see his book)and despite the fear of pissing off Jonathan, I think, along with Patrick, that enhanced ebooks may have significant future.

It's along the lines of what I said in the post about the writer being the enterprise and not the book.

So a reader might purchase the "Jonathan Evison Experience". Read West of Here, have an attached video interview and a tour of the NW terrain of the book narrated by JE. Maps and historical documents for further reading as back up...maybe even short video clips based on the book.

As for the "pure reading" that JE espouses. Hey, I love string quartets which is as pure as music performance gets but I recognize that most people would consider that a dull musical form. Maybe we are heading into different forms of mass market.

As for what Anonymous said about ten dollar books. That book that I mentioned in the post: The Odyssey A Modern Sequel. At 700 plus pages in cloth and with a gold embossed paper cover, it still retailed for 10 dollars, new.

Maybe we are moving ahead into an era of cheap, easily accessible texts. That's got to be good for reading, yes? Or do you only appreciate something if its expensive?

Re: The Smoking Cannonball

DH — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:02:24 -0000

A sector of the market that will only buy ebooks? Wow. I wonder who these "pod people" will be? Will they be readers who are giving up the printed book for etexts or will they be new readers? I'd be fascinated if ebooks brought to reading people who didn't read before. Then my pie-in-the-sky hope that ebooks might actually be good for print books (by increasing interest in books overall) might actually turn out to be true. If that happens I may have to give up realism.:)

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

DH — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:51:44 -0000

You know, JE, I was afraid to look at comments for this review because I had said some negative things. In the NY publishing culture, you're not allowed to say that you don't like something.

But you had better be careful what you say, JE, or they won't let you into NY to promote West of Here, your new novel, when it comes out next Fall. But I'll let you in through the back door if necessary.

Re: Victory Lap by George Saunders

DH — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:38:58 -0000

Okay Andrew, maybe there's a bit more substance here than I think but the story still sounds a bit like it's making the points that would be covered in a high school ethics course.

I do regret trashing New Yorker cartoons in my review. But it's true that I can't read them anymore.

Re: Temporary by Marisa Silver

DH — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:44:51 -0000

Well that's interesting, Jared. I was hoping that someone would have a different reaction from mine...just to keep me honest. I guess I liked the flat reportage style. But maybe...like I indicated...having gone through all this myself with a dying parent...made me want a cooler approach to the subject. I had had enough. It was too rough to experience it a second time in a story.

Re: Temporary by Marisa Silver

DH — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:01:52 -0000

Hello Patrick,
You make a lot of good points about detailed and deep the metaphor of "temporary" is in this story. I especially liked you pointing out that the marriage of the interviewed couple also breaks up...and then the separated husband asks if he can adopt anyway (!). Maybe I recoiled too much from the sadness in this story. But, you're right, Marisa Silver is a wonderful writer.

Re: Summertime by J. M. Coetzee An Early Review

DH — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:52:04 -0000

Patrick, I'm glad you're reading "Goat". I don't think the stories got that much attention. I am looking forward to a novel by the author.

As for Summertime...I think that Amazon UK calls it an autobiography and Amazon US calls it fiction. It's both. I hope it wins the Booker and Penguin can sell it earlier than 12/24 in the U.S.

Re: Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

DH — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:19:45 -0000

In the whiner/cowboy debate, I'd like to say something in favor of whiners...I'd be suspicious of people (who would be most people) who want to cut off debate or expression by dissing somebody's mood.

Isn't paddling against the stream what's it's all about...at least most of the time? It's group-think that's most revolting.

But society means conformism. I wouldn't want to sit in a bar with a whiner or an anti-social cowboy. But slickness in literature...or in bars is worst.

These days we have bar talk and emails that are little more than networking excuses. Maybe going back to the cowboy era would be better.

Maybe whiners/cowboys are to be preferred to someone who wants to network with you. Networking precludes real empathy.

Re: Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

DH — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:13:55 -0000

I don't like cowboy types but I like what they represent...that a society is dynamic and looking for original ways to express itself. It's a sign of cultural confidence...a bursting of the seams. Look for where the cowboys are and there you'll finding the leading edge. If you ever find them more in another country; then I'd say that world geography has shifted. I wouldn't be surprised if that happened. Perhaps it already has?

Re: The Fountain House by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya

DH — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:48:55 -0000

Wow Christine, I have to thank you for that. I love allegory. But I'm hoping that my reading has some resonance anyway. I'm also wondering, for the sake of argument mind you, why employ allegory if there's no more repression...no further need for evasion? What I'm trying to drive at is what role allegory can play in 21st century fiction. Is the Faerie Queene still relevant? Does this kind of symbolic thinking still make sense? I'd like to understand how...

Re: On Blurbs and Blurbing

DH — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:04:05 -0000

JE, I hoped you would provide an example...that's one of the best (most effective) blurbs that I've ever read!
I must be hanging out in the low-rent district, blurb-wise.

Re: On Blurbs and Blurbing

DH — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:29:38 -0000

With respect to JE, I don't see how a blurb can say anything thematically...like...it's JUST a blurb. I notice the person who is blurbing more. Once I saw a blurb by Orhan Pamuk...I practically fell out of my chair. He hardly ever blurbs as far as I can tell and he is one of my writer-heroes. If I research a blurb writer and I see that they write very commercial stuff, that kills the book for me...because that's not what I read.

Re: John Updike’s The Maples Stories

DH — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:49:32 -0000

Thanks very much...you know that I'm just hinting at the many felicities that these stories contain. There are so many sentences with such high intelligence. And the chain of stories is as satisfying as a moderately-scaled novel. There are few, if any, story collections that give the reader such a sense of closure.

Re: Can Writing Be Taught?

DH — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:33:53 -0000

I read the rigor mortis joke (from Joshua Henkin) as the student writer not getting what first person is...that you can't be writing...and dead...at the same time!

If the writer is in control, then it's art. If the writer doesn't know what the fuck they are doing, then the joke is on them.

But even that has to be qualified. If a writer has honed their craft like a samurai, like JE has talked about, then they can do things on instinct that are brilliant and unconventional. Maybe that's part of what JR was talking about when he stressed the importance of originality in art.

Re: Can Writing Be Taught?

DH — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:09:51 -0000

Ha! So we are finally getting around to "rigor mortis setting in" in first person. I feel that way right now. In Pamuk's wonderful "My Name is Red" a character is done in and thrown down a well. But his corpse still has plenty to say. Also, there is a talking dog in a picture within the novel and a father-in-law who attends a wedding as a cadaver because his consent was required for the nuptials so his family couldn't admit that he was dead.

I have attended parties while dead.

But writers can do anything they want if they are in control. Making the difficult look easy, the hallmark of classical art, that's what I love. I've found it it Pamuk...and other writers that I love.

Re: Can Writing Be Taught?

DH — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:40:39 -0000

I relate to what Joe said about getting support. This blog started when I said to JR: "Let's do a blog." JR came up with the name. When it came time to do my first interview I said to JR: "I've never done this. I don't know if I can." But JR said: "You can do it." ...and I just believed him.

So it helps to have someone in your corner...though you have to want it yourself.

Re: Mary Gaitskill’s Lost Cat

DH — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:21:47 -0000

Natasha, it's a great issue of Granta. By all means buy it if you can swing it. As for MG's essay...there is much more in it than I could write about in a short blog post...it's a wonderfully dense, rich reading experience...but I guess that some people will be put off by its high emotional temperature.

Re: Demystifying the Vagaries of Bookselling

DH — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:58:07 -0000

well...I'm still wondering what happened to Lulu...I guess I will always wonder...one of the reasons that we call it "art"...that's a good deal, Jonathan. :)

Re: Demystifying the Vagaries of Bookselling

DH — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:22:24 -0000

okay...one more suggestion...made as a reader who loves Lulu...write a short story that riffs off "All About Lulu"...like a separate story about Lulu...something that happens to her, a date, a job, a new cat...or something about another character...

Get it published in an online lit journal...or put it on Three Guys...we'ed be honored...

the story would lead readers to Lulu who haven't read it...or would want to recommend or re-read it...

tell me a story, Jonathan...I think that's the best answer.

Re: Demystifying the Vagaries of Bookselling

DH — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:13:54 -0000

you'd need your pub's help for the offbeat venue idea...it's called "special sales".

my last suggestion: go to a good bookstore and see how your book is positioned on the shelf...offer to buy the clerk a coffee if they will face it out or improve its position in some other way. You may not even have to buy the coffee, just the offer may be enough.

this worked on me once. it helps if you're good looking. but that always helps, of course.

Re: Demystifying the Vagaries of Bookselling

DH — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:59:36 -0000

JE, about keeping "All About Lulu" warm for a second year...take opportunities to suggest it as an ideal book club selection (which it is), also consider whether there are seasonal tie-ins that work...like: perfect summer read ...Valentine's Day...back to school...that's a versatile book you've got there, JE. For most retailers, cyclical events are a big deal.

Cross-merchandizing? Find some venues for the book that are away from bookstores...like cool apparel outlets maybe...anywhere that a hipper crowd would gather to do shopping anyway.

Get your publisher to re-list tbe book, with cover, in the frontlist section of their forthcoming catalog..."currently available"...maybe to tie-in to the cyclical events that I mentioned above.

Re: My Goat Ate Its Own Legs by Alex Burrett

DH — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:21:29 -0000

Patrick, the Borders where I can shop, at Columbus Circle in NY, has a cool website which tells what it stocks and even where the title is located on the shelf! And you can reserve a copy and then go pick it up. Maybe you can do that at your Borders. But it's a Harper Collins book. Any major bookstore or independent literary bookstore should have it.

If you read it, please let me know what you think.

Re: My Goat Ate Its Own Legs by Alex Burrett

DH — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:01:23 -0000

Yes, Burrett is not afraid to write in more than one emotional register. The title story is quite moving because of it.

The stories are mostly small-scale and fable-like. I suppose that's rather post-modern. I am looking forward to more by AB.

Re: Picking Lauren Cerand’s Brain

DH — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:44:01 -0000

I agree with Lauren's statement...and JR's take on it...mostly. The more original the work, the more the artist is creating their own audience...educating people to support their work.

But I also like a sense that the writer is trying to reach out to a community of which they are a part...

Re: Picking Lauren Cerand’s Brain

DH — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:55:07 -0000

That's a great interview, JE. Lauren sounds so cool. One thing I picked up on is that a writer should know their audience...before they speak or blog about their work.

Do all writers have a sense of who their audience is? Or want to know that?

Re: How Novelist Joshua Henkin Joined 175 Book Clubs

DH — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:28:39 -0000

JE, that's a great inside look at the writer's pros and cons of cloth vs trade paperback. But I wanted to qualify that an ideal trade paperback book club choice can outsell its cloth version 10x over. That's happened with friend Benioff's "City of Thieves". My experience with "Kite Runner" is that it sold roughly 50x more in paperback than it did in cloth...before the movie.

I'm still fixated on the image of you in SF...bearing the weight of Underworld on your shoulders...like Aeneas carrying his father out of ruined Troy on his back...you are carrying DeLillo...sounds epic to me JE, in the best sense...

Re: How Novelist Joshua Henkin Joined 175 Book Clubs

DH — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:42:56 -0000

Joshua, Jonathan...great insights on the word-of-mouth effectiveness of book clubs, I know of members who save the books they have covered on a special shelf in their libraries. Why are publishers cool to the idea of writer participation in book clubs? Guess: because they can't quantify the results on their bottom line.

Also, you're right JE...the ideal book club format is the trade paperback.

Maybe writers need to get over the idea that being published in cloth confers more "prestige". Being read confers more prestige. :)

Re: Ziggurat by Stephen O’Connor

DH — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:58:10 -0000

To you guys who had problems with this story...you're entitled...but I just didn't feel that way. The narrative arc had a dreamlike quality (for me) that I thought was really daring since when you take chances like that you risk chasing the audience away. I loved the ending, it reminded me of the end of Paradise Lost where Adam & Eve wander off into their new world.

But I am gratified that this New Yorker story has generated so much comment. There must be something biting about it for it to generate so much heat and that's a good thing. I'd love to ask Stephen O'Connor about Ziggurat but I don't know the guy and he didn't answer my email. If you are listening SO; let's discuss Z on the blog.

Re: Ziggurat by Stephen O’Connor

DH — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:54:43 -0000

Wow, Timothy...I didn't expect such a vehement reaction to my idle speculation about a possible novel out of O'Connor. I don't agree with you but I did find your comment very interesting.

I think of a story story as being related to a novel the way that a drawing is related to a painting. They are both valid forms in their own right...but the drawing can be more intimate and off-the-cuff. Paintings have to be more formal.

Actually, I prefer drawings. Do I prefer short stories to novels? I'm not sure. But as a bookseller I know that it's harder to sell short story collections than novels. I wish that wasn't true.

Re: Ziggurat by Stephen O’Connor

DH — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:22:45 -0000

Thanks very much, Timothy. Yes, there is a lot packed into this story...makes me think that there is a novel waiting around the corner somewhere.

Re: Ziggurat by Stephen O’Connor

DH — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:21:21 -0000

Thanks very much for your comment. I think O'Connor is covering a lot of bases. But I can't answer your question about Dylan. Maybe some Dylan fans among our readers have an opinion?

Re: The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht

DH — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:05:14 -0000

The photo: I stumbled onto this street fair. I took only one shot of this. I was afraid that they would notice I was there. They didn't. In some places, like street fairs, no one notices who is around them.

"Tiger's Wife" is great. I am looking forward to more from this writer.

Re: Love Affair with Secondaries by Craig Raine

DH — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:49:43 -0000

I agree, funnier than Kundera. I guess there's more of Oxford in CR than Czechoslovakia. But I'm very glad that the New Yorker has brought this apparent excerpt to our attention.

Re: In The South by Salman Rushdie

DH — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:54:26 -0000

Thanks very much, Molly, for the tip. I'll remember that if I do a New Yorker story again...

Re: Vast Hell

DH — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:36:00 -0000

Dear "Anonymous",

Talk about clarity....sometimes writers opt for ambiguity...some things in your life...or mine...will never be explained...

But this New Yorker issue is still on the stands if anyone wants to project their own fantasies onto "Vast Hell".

Mulholland Drive, by the way, makes Perfect sense.

Re: Outage – John Updike from My Father’s Tears

DH — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:00 -0000

I remember hair...but it's a great pic.

Re: The Signal by Ron Carlson

DH — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:15:06 -0000

...sorry about missing the "e" in your name! I am answering too fast!

Re: The Signal by Ron Carlson

DH — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:12:22 -0000

Gosh Nancy, I'm sorry that you didn't like the book. I liked it as a stretch for myself since I am the opposite of an outdoor type.

I think the whole story rides on the lead character...if you don't like him then you don't like the book. I found him interesting...and the setting was exotic for me since I have only been out west a couple of times.

Re: The Signal by Ron Carlson

DH — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:36:00 -0000

I noticed that a fringe political blog put up a grossly distorted version of my Signal review and left my initials on it. Boy, that is really mean-spirited and underhanded. And they blocked comments so I can't repudiate the phony version. Welcome to the wild world of blogging, DH. The wildness is acceptable but being unethical is not.

Re: The Signal by Ron Carlson

DH — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:49:00 -0000

JE, it sounds like I'm going to climb up on that horse again, even though it threw me the first time. It also sounds like I may be interviewing you a second time.

That might be neat. The first time we were strangers.

Re: The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats

DH — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:10:00 -0000

JE, that you loved this book though you didn't like the premise shows an edge to your reading that runs in sync with the edge to your writing. Readers need to read against their type...like actors need to be cast against type. To hell with type....sir.

Re: Angel Bones by John Updike

DH — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:11:00 -0000

Thoughts are the miracle....

Re: Christie

DH — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:09:00 -0000

Dear Joshua,

Anyone who is published by Pantheon and Vintage is likely to intimidate the shit out of me. But I'd love a copy of your book. Please send your offer to the Three Guys official email:

threeguysonebook@gmail.com

and I'll send you a mailing address. And thanks for your very kind comments. I was wondering if anyone was reading those Wolff posts.

Re: Christie

DH — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:47:00 -0000

JE, my greatly respected friend, that's a very generous offer. But I gave it all up some time ago. I'm a nice guy now. :)

Besides, I noticed a picture from Lauren's and your reception on Facebook. It was one of the sweetest sights that I've ever seen. No kidding at all.

Re: Trouble by Kate Christensen Review

DH — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:10:00 -0000

I didn't think the sex scene was too long. KC does them so well.It reminded me that one character was finding connections while the other was being isolated...pretty much at the same time.

Friendship has its limits.

Tequila...I haven't had it in years. Great idea.

Re: The Halloween of My Youth

DH — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:13:00 -0000

We had the plastic costumes with the masks that were hard plastic had holes cut out of the eyes and a slit for the mouth. My grandma owned a toy and card store, so she would bring home the ones that weren't selling for us to choose from.

Re: Stuffed French Toast

DH — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:11:00 -0000

This looks good, do you think it would work with peanut butter too?

Re: Il Divo: The Christmas Collection

DH — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:07:00 -0000

I love Il Divo. They straddle the line between pop and opera, with classical stuff thrown in. They are so cool. My family even likes them when I play it on the computer. I don't own any, so this would be a good thing for me to win. Okay a great thing.
April 28, 2009: Halifax - Metro Centre

- April 30, 2009: Montreal - Bell Centre

- May 2, 2009: Ottawa - Scotia Place

- May 3, 2009: Kingston - K-Rock Centre

- May 5, 2009: Toronto - Air Canada Centre

- May 6, 2009: London - Labatt Centre

- May 22, 2009: Winnipeg - MTS Centre

- May 23, 2009: Regina - Brandt Centre

- May 25, 2009: Edmonton - Rexall Place

- May 26, 2009: Calgary - Pengrowth Saddledome

- May 28, 2009: Kelowna - Prospera Place

- May 30, 2009: Vancouver - General Motors Place

- May 31, 2009: Victoria - Sav-On Foods Centre

dhcookerati at aol dot com

Re: The Great Melbourne Coffee Hunt

DH — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:50:56 -0000

Great people, great coffee tried it out myself this AM.

Re: Melbourne Group Rides

DH — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:57:19 -0000

Genius!

Re: Letting It All Go - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

DH — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 11:50:00 -0000

That's a good question, one that's been looked into by psychologists alot over the past 100 years. I don't have any of this research available but I've read some of it. What bothered me at the time of my "baptism of the spirit" was reading in a charasmatic publication about speaking in tongues by those practicing other religions, such as Hinduism. The stock Christian answer was that this was an imitation from Satan. Bah! Apparently there are brain mechanisms at play here that anyone can employ. I can now, an atheist and at will, "speak in tongues" with the same emotional exhilaration I experienced the first time. There's nothing divine about it at all.

Re: Letting It All Go - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

DH — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 16:46:00 -0000

In reference to Petrie’s post, our webmaster is correct-- There’s absolutely no requirement that you believe a word of my story. However, being a writer by profession, if my goal was to make an absorbing fictional account, I believe I could have done a much better job! It should be pointed out that there are some specifics in the story (names and places) that could easily be verified, perhaps even on the Internet. While that doesn’t prove the account’s authenticity (much like dropping the name Caesar in the New Testament doesn’t prove the Bible’s accuracy), it does at least lend it some credibility. For the sake of the argument, I do verify that every experience in the account is accurate and truthfully put forth. I have found that many of these anti-testimonies (on this site and others) are much more vague than mine; perhaps if I write another I should supply footnotes and a bibliography! Now, as to his assertion that I clearly “despise” Christianity, I am baffled as to what brought about that conclusion. I make it very clear (and it is my chief thesis) that I once was a Christian but that after studying its history and doctrines found there was little to support the religion’s claims. I therefore walked away from the religion, even though there were aspects of the church that I enjoyed (and was prepared to make it my career). How this could be twisted to mean that I “despise” Christianity is a mystery. Indeed, I think my story bends over backwards to be charitable and objective. After all, isn’t that the loving Christian way? [A satyrical comment, perhaps, which points to the truth that one can be a good person, moral and ethical, dealing with others in a forthright manner, without being an adherent to any specific religious system.]

Re: Letting It All Go - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

DH — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 17:35:00 -0000

A couple of posts back “Anonymous” asked what it was that I believed. Does one have to believe something religious? I don’t think so. Been there, tried that! Instead, I prefer to align myself more closely with those broad statements that define a positive, here-and-now look at life. The organized humanists have done a pretty good job of articulating those ideals (http://www.americanhumanist.org/humanism/ ) and I generally agree with what has been put forth in the Humanist Manifestos I, II and III (note that I didn’t say I “believed” in them). You also made passing reference to the legalism I encountered in the church (“Life doesn't have to be lived with such strict guidelines.”) While I think I made it clear that I found many of those legalistic “dos” and “don’ts” troubling, confusing and in many cases ridiculous, a careful reading of the essay should convince anybody that my reasons for abandoning Christianity were far more substantive than simply reacting to these petty rules. Which brings me to your last thought, “I truly do hope you find your way back to Jesus.” You apparently didn’t read the essay very well. Why I would want to abandon the peace and joy I’ve found since my dis-conversion is beyond me. Why I would want ever again to dedicate my life to the mythological person named Jesus is even more mystifying. Each year there is more and more evidence appearing that makes the Christian and Jewish histories less credible. Even though head-in-the-sand fundamentalists believe otherwise, the creation claims of the Bible are looking more preposterous with each passing day. Many of the teachings of the church are psychologically unhealthy and, frankly, false. The “wonder-working power” of the gospel isn’t there as promised. If it was such a great thing, then why, after 2,000 years, hasn’t it transformed the world? Why aren’t people flocking to churches like thirsty people after water? One of the previous posters commented that he was raised a Seventh Day Adventist. I’ve read that this denomination is the only one in America (so far) that can boast that it has more living FORMER members than there are living current members! The church as a whole is having a much more difficult time of justifying its existence. I’m glad to be rid of the whole mess!

Re: Letting It All Go - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

DH — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 14:24:00 -0000

I’ve stated above that, contrary to the claims of Christians, the Christian life is neither a peaceful nor a happy way to live. Below I quote an extreme example from a radio broadcast by “Brother” David Terrell, a fundamentalist evangelist who is still selling his brand of religion. Speaking as a self-proclaimed apostle of the Lord, Terrell delivers a message from God himself: “I shall smite ye with insanity. I shall smite ye with violence. I shall smite ye in your knees. I shall smite ye in your elbows. I shall smite ye in your shoulders. I shall smite ye in your bones... and man shall see diseases that medical science has not been able to diagnose. For the earth is fixin’ to be cursed with a curse. They that robbed me in America is fixin’ to be cursed. I’m fixin’ to make the rich be eaten. I’m fixin’ to eat the rich... There’s fixin’ to be a frog epidemic in Florida, like in the time of Moses. Two toads can produce 25,000 frogs a year so there can be millions in a square mile. Right now there’s a plague has hit this nation. Minnesota is being eaten up by caterpillars, and Canada is five inches deep in caterpillars. Beetles are coming across Mexico and headed this way. In Georgia, hail is eight inches thick. Automobiles have been beat to a total loss.” Brother Terrell urged his listeners to deny the flesh and to fast often. “Moan, my people. Moan until your bowels feel like they are going to burst in you. Moan until your voices are hoarse. Moan until you hurt in your chest... Cry until you weep, fast until you weep.... Let me hear the cry, the cry for renewal, or I’ll rip you apart.... Rapha, nissi, handa bahayah, lamaricosayahilatarisaya honodabbabayaya bokokori....” (Quoted from the fun-to-read book “Border Radio” by Gene Fowler & Bill Crawford, Austin: U of Texas Press, 2002, page 318.)

Even more sedate Christians extol the virtues of suffering, especially the evangelicals and Catholics. They also talk about doomsday, the battle of Armageddon, and all sorts of punishment God has in store for all of us. It isn’t a healthy lifestyle, a point forcefully developed by Wendell W. Watters, M.D., in his book “Deadly Doctrine: Health, Illness and Christian God-Talk” (Buffalo: Prometheus, 1992).

Re: A righteous anger - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

DH — Wed, 31 May 2006 19:36:00 -0000

This is an amazing recital of thoughts and emotions;I enjoyed every word. My testimony is elsewhere on this site (February of 2006) and I guess when I wrote it I brushed over my anger issues. Like many others who commented here, I am royally ticked off at the evangelical-Republican liaison that is threatening not only freedom in the U.S. but worldwide. But on a personal level, like some of you, I felt taken advantage of and, frankly, deceived. Nowadays it’s embarrassing to admit that I was hoodwinked by the church, its leaders, its sacred book and silly doctrines. Although I feel I’m a much better person for having worked my way through that, in reality it was all needless and time-wasting. Believe me, there is a much better way to create people of character who examine life with reason. Finally, I was thrilled to see a post above submitted by Edward Babinski. We corresponded many years ago, right after his amazing book was published – “Leaving the Fold: Testimonies of Former Fundamentalists” (Prometheus Books, 1995). I recommend this title to anyone willing to looking into the varieties of ex-christians out there. It’s 462 pages are eye-opening.

Re: Is Masturbation Wrong? - ExChristian.Net - Articles

DH — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:54:00 -0000

I appreciate this discussion about masturbation. My dis-conversion "testimony" has been on this site for over a year. But back in the 1990s I started a website devoted to debunking religious prohibitions against masturbation; that site (no longer under my supervision) continues today as www.solotouch.com. The first posting I put on the website was my lengthy rebuttal of religious objections to masturbation. The piece also includes my personal struggle with Christian attitudes toward self-pleasuring. I encourage anyone interested in exploring this topic of religion and masturbation to read this account which is still on the solotouch website. Go to http://www.solotouch.com/res.php?t=a&num=1 to read the introduction then follow links to go through the entire essay. My suggestion is for everyone to abandon guilt and freely enjoy themselves!

Re: McCullagh: A Law Unto Himself

DH — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:12:05 -0000

I think "Gattuso's Extension of Murphy's Law" was illustrated quite nicely when John Ashcroft was replaced by Alberto Gonzales.

Re: Copyright Term v. Copyright Inception

DH — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:56:35 -0000

Thanks for the graph. It really makes it clear where copyright extensions were introduced and how far they've been extended relative to the initial term.

What color are you going to choose for the inevitable next extension?

Re: You Can’t Compete With Free

DH — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:32:49 -0000

It seems to me that recorded music has already largely become a commodity. The fact that this has come about largely due to copyright infringement facilitated by new technology is irrelevant, it's already done. You don't get to go back it time for a do over. Even if the recording industry managed to totally stop this infringement (which I don't think is possible), all those people used to their free aren't going to go "Hey, that $15 CD looks pretty good!" The music industry has to figure out how to sell their commodity.

Re: We Need the Money! Don’t Politicize Foreign Investment

DH — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:35:33 -0000

The capitalist American company I work for sells products to Huawei. These are sales that help push the US economy along. Has Congressman McCotter missed all the other investment in this country from China? The Middle East? THE FRENCH?

Re: カウンタ

DH — Sun, 02 Nov 2003 12:26:29 -0000

日記のページのカウンタはリロードでは増えていない気がしますが気のせいですか？

Re: Kernal Season’s Popcorn Seasoning Review & Giveaway

DH — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:34:00 -0000

My daughter and I some times put parmesan on ours. I think Parmesan and Garlic would still be my favorite.

Re: Broncos bid adieu to Coyer

DH — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 22:04:11 -0000

Hey Bob, shutup. You aren't even a Broncos fan so don't act like you know what you're talking about. Don't judge all Denver fans just because a few idiots who don't know what they're talking about want to fire Shanahan. They're almost as dumb as you. Keep your crappy Cardinals. I'll keep one of the best franchises in the league.

Re: Don't Forget the Sunscreen and Your Hat

DH — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 09:47:43 -0000

Within the past two years there has been research that has shown that vitamin D, which are produced by UVB rays, is helpful in preventing cancer. UVA rays cause tanning. Both UVA and UVB rays are blocked by sunscreen. The problem is that while you may be preventing one type of cancer you might be allowing another to grow. Being in the sun for a short period of time may produce all the vitamin D you need.

There isn't a good answer to this yet. I have heard of work on a sunscreen that blocks only UVA rays but it is still in the works.

As for rising cancer rates, the best explination I heard for this was that people are living longer because they are not dying from other things (that are easily treated) and therefor more likely to get cancer.

Re: ‘Hostile’ Dallas crowd harasses Nuggets families, friends

DH — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:30:53 -0000

I love how on the highlight reel of the game, there were Nuggets making sick dunks, miraculous rebounds and playing hard D. Mavericks highlights? Dirk shooting free-throws. If that's how you want to win...