Levin v. Goldman Sachs

Checking out NYTimes.com this morning, I grinned at photos of the Ukrainian Parliament as they threw down, threw eggs, and threw smoke bombs during a debate over extending a lease on a Russian naval base (the smoke cleared, and the deal passed). I thought, Wouldn't that be something to see in our government?

Enter today's senate hearings on the financial crisis, featuring Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and a bunch of suits from Goldman Sachs. Levin called out Goldman over a "s*****" deal. I don't know what was more fun: the smoke bomb, Levin's s-bombs, or watching the media try to deal with Levin's "salty" or "colorful" language.

Nevertheless, I hope Biggby doesn't add a Dung Bear to the menu anytime soon

The world's most expensive coffee beans can be found in the Philippines, once they've been through a unique process:

Costing hundreds of dollars a pound, these beans are found in the droppings of the civet, a nocturnal, furry, long-tailed catlike animal that prowls Southeast Asia’s coffee-growing lands for the tastiest, ripest coffee cherries. The civet eventually excretes the hard, indigestible innards of the fruit — essentially, incipient coffee beans — though only after they have been fermented in the animal’s stomach acids and enzymes to produce a brew described as smooth, chocolaty and devoid of any bitter aftertaste.

Princeton Professor/Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet analyzes Ke$ha

Paul Muldoon examines the relationship between Ke$ha's "Tic-Toc" and King Lear, among other things, in this academic study of the pop diva.

RIP Marion Ladewig

Last week, I took the family to Northfield Lanes for an afternoon of bowling. We soon discovered how much easier it is to bowl on the Wii.

Years ago, my Grandpa Evans would take me and my brothers to The Fanatorium, a bowling institution on Jefferson SE. He'd chat up the owner, Mr. Morrissey, and remind us to swing our arms "like a pendulum." If memory serves, he introduced us to the great Marion Ladewig (or at least pointed to her and told us about her greatness). The "greatest female bowler" died this morning at age 95.

Beatrice and Virgil: Yann Martel's new novel

One of the highlights of my career happened two years ago, when my AP Lit classes had the opportunity to chat with Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel (thanks, AV!). Eight years after Life of Pi was published, Martel has returned with Beatrice and Virgil, another animal-filled novel. Martel explains the premise here.

Such Tweet Sorrow - Shakespeare meets Twitter

Six actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company are tweeting the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet in real-time via Twitter. Warning: It's very contemporary. Those expecting iambic pentameter (and family-friendly language) will be disappointed.

LHS goes green on prom night

The Red Arrows are going green for this year's prom. Salad veggies are growing in our greenhouse, and students are creating prom accessories from non-refundable aluminum cans. In addition, the ticket price includes round-trip transportation on a bio-diesel fueled motor coach. Great write up in The GR Press yesterday with more details.

And if any Red Arrows aren't thrilled with the idea, it could be much, much worse. They could have prom on a school night! (photo from mlive.com)

It's National Poetry Month!

Nevermind the Confederates - here's a group worth celebrating! Support your local poet!

Mad Men perform Bye Bye Birdie

Love this show.

Back from a short vaca to PA

The Larsens had a pleasant visit to the Keystone State this week. Chocolate in Hershey, cheesesteaks in Philly, and baseball in the 'Burgh. This is my favorite pic from our stay in Philadelphia.

April 4: Marie Ponsot’s Transport

A simple poem for this Easter Sunday by Marie Ponsot.

Transport

The rose, for all its behavior,
is smaller than the lifelove it stands for,
only briefly brightening,
and even its odor
only a metaphor.
Or so we suppose
just as we suppose the savior
we employ or see next door
is only some hired man
gardening.

Teabonics - the special language of Tea Party protesters

An entire set of creatively-spelled signs seen at Tea Party rallies. Can't fake stupid.