Mary Catharine Grau endorses Hot Tub Time Machine, a John Prine song, a church, a catalog, and swinging. No, not that kind of swinging.
“As an unreformed optimist – and as someone who views sports as a fun diversion rather than a source of personal fulfillment – I see yesterday’s news that Peyton Manning underwent potentially season-ending neck surgery as a good thing.”
Cheese, poop, Rick Perry, a scary story, and a couple of women who want to “inspower” you: this week, Traci Cumbay is totally full of shit.
“In front of this scene was a man with a camera. His wife and two daughters were standing in front of that horrific carnage—and smiling for the camera.” Barry B. Doyle visited Ground Zero shortly after September 11.
Ed Whitehead had a view of the World Trade Center out his bedroom window. He also had a camera and 40 rolls of film. Part 1 of his story.
“In college, I was captain of my intramural softball team, showing organization and leadership for a group of independent, often inebriated, individuals that resembles the profile of most airline passengers.”
Stephin Merritt is one of the age’s most prolific songwriters. But are the songs any good? Matt Gonzales and Chris Overpeck duke it out for the answer.
“any high school health student could tell you / pain resides in the mind.” A new poem by Jeremy Noren.
“The woman sat just four seats down the aisle. If she knew her effect on Tom, she didn’t show it. She stood to wave them toward her. Tom tried to decline, but Remley was already down the aisle, hand outstretched.” Chapter 4 of Alex Mattingly‘s Everything And More.
Can Traci Cumbay maintain her unbeaten Punchout streak? Can winless Ken Honeywell pull the upset? Vote for your favorite review of Dana Spiotta’s novel Stone Arabia.