January 27th will find me at Northeastern University’s bookstore. Reading, signing, etc.

The Library Journal gave LG a very nice review.

Scout had his staples removed. This is what the wound looks like:

Rather medieval, yes? A mountain range on a salt map also comes to mind.

Brian Jenkins, my sometimes-research assistant–and partner in various absurd adventures–gave me a new word yesterday: Heresiarch. Henry VIII was a heresiarch, which doesn’t make it quite as cool, but still…

According to strict definitions, I’m a blasphemer, but neither an apostate nor a heretic. Looks like my 2011 Goal List just got a little longer.

You will notice—even if you are not particularly observant—that my full battery of Throwback Thursdays essays are now available for easy clickin’ under the Ramblings menu heading. Browse at your leisure. The links take you to their rightful home at Jetcomx.com, one of the best blogs in the Boston area. No, it’s not updated as frequently as it used to be (Mr. Boni is a busy student), but they have a keen eye for trends, and they post some terrific stuff, and (full disclosure) Andrew Boni manages my website as well. Ahem.

Some incredibly random viewer mail next time. I mean, even more random than usual. What the hell is going on?

This is what Thursday morning looks like, outside my front door:

This is what mango-flavored pineapple looks like. Well, the box, anyway:

Has it really been that long since the last update? I’ve been busy. Sort of. Playing with my iPod Touch (an absolute time-leech), starting (and stopping) various projects, doing weird stuff like lawn care and brush clearing. A few notes of interest: 1. After an extended hiatus, Throwback Thursdays returns. We discuss The Chronic. Pub. date should be within a week. 2. I’ll be teaching Advanced Fiction at Boston University starting Spring semester of ’11.

Publishers Weekly ran a decent review of Losing Graceland, so there’s that to be thankful for. Not that I read such things…

Mild winter thus far. A few icy days–especially when walking through BU’s campus wearing a hoodie and fashionable shoes–but my shoulders haven’t yet taken on that hunched-to-ears pose.

Before we start random chatter, a viewer email:

Micah-

Do you write for Jetcomx anymore? What the hell is going on with your head obsession? Quick: who’s on your playlist?

-Neil “Little Man”

Interesting nickname, Neil. I like it.

So yes, I write for Jetcomx, though it’s been a long time since I’ve posted a Throwback Thursdays article. I grew tired of my own snarky voice. I’m taking a break.

My head obsession is leftover from Gods. You might recall one Dr. Horatio J. Grimek, resting in a jar in the basement of a Prague monastery. I thought it would make a terrific prop if I made that head “real.” Or would it be hyper-real? Where’s a Baudrillard scholar when you need ‘em?

My playlist always changes. As of 12:25 p.m. on December 15th, I have the usual hipness-confirming eclectic mix (Echo and the Bunnymen, Danzig, Camille, VH [Roth era, always], Nas, and a scattering of KISS).

As for my TV playlist, we’re trying to watch “Lost.” Not as compelling as Battlestar, but maybe it gets better. And I have watched Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” at least ten times in the past few months. It’s hilarious, the “Showgirls” equivalent of a rock band flick. Those beautiful L.A. tones shot to perfection, the Wiccan rituals set to Carmina Burana…what more could one want from an instant cult classic?

How ’bout this: Marty McFly as Andy Warhol.