Back when I used blankets, I would think, What asshole is calling me now?



But, as of yesterday, I have found it in myself to use phone manners:



That's the good news.

I'm still adjusting to my son's becoming a wizard.



And my husband's casting of spells.



And his calling attention to just one of my breasts:




But at least now we have our Snuggies to ward off those frosty 67-degree days like we had yesterday.

Miscellany

--Among many (too fucking many) other things, I’m working on my talk for the Association of Writing Program’s conference. I’m on a panel with many lovelies and we’ll be talking about the ethics of writing about your kids. So two things: 1) If you’re at AWP, come to the panel, would you? It’s on Thursday at 10:30 at the Chicago Hilton. 2) Have anything to say about the topic? I’m listening.

--Our Snuggies have left Sparks, Nevada. Also, Brandon saw Snuggies at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $14.99 a pop. I am a sucker MC.

--Out to lunch on Sunday, I saw two people in different parties that looked freakily alike. It was distracting and a little frustrating that neither person recognized the similarity.

--I read this interview last night with philosopher Tom Dumm about loneliness, the knowability of oneself or others, and how what he calls loneliness (or what I’d probably call independence) has political ramifications. I also like this quote in it: “Writing a book is very difficult to do, even a bad one. I try to remember that when reading someone else’s work.”

--It’s been very Pleasures of Yesteryear chez Niesslein lately. I just finished the fouth Harry Potter book, and we’re about halfway through the fourth season of The Office. This is one of the best lines: “The eyes are the groin of the face.” It’s funny because it’s true.