write in my blog everyday

In my research into James Thurber I was struck that he wrote, “One of the greatest fears of the humorous writer is that he has spent three weeks writing something done faster and better by Benchley in 1919.”

or

”. . . plagued with the suspicion that a piece he has been working on for two days was done much better and probably more quickly by Robert Benchley in 1924.”

So, I thought I should look into Benchley. He falls into that rather large group of writers I’ve always heard about, but read very little of. So, I picked up his book My Ten Years In A Quandary and How They Grew. I can see exactly what Thurber was getting at.

In particular, find a small piece called “Spy Scare.” To me a moment to realize that he was writing about the US just after World War I, not today.

I seem to have known, but forgotten that Peter “Jaws” Benchley is his grandson.

Traveling the roads between here and home I’m bombarded with messages. Why aren’t any of them truly useful, informative, or helpful? Perhaps an occasional apology.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Church Sign Generator

So, we need a new HVAC system. That’s Heating and Air Conditioning system for you civilians. And as I suspected, it’s frighteningly expensive. Mind numbingly so.

Really, really expensive.

But it must be done. So, I’m doing due diligence. I having at least four local contractors give me bids before I select one and open a vein for them.

And of course, I also need a new dishwasher, just replaced a garbage disposal, and I suspect that the gutters need work.

Ain’t owning a home fun?

OK, this is pretty cool.

From Boing Boing via Wil Wheaton Dot Net

Hmm, just keep repeating that.

Now, where’s that damn Clouseau gotten off to?