Unless you’re perfect (Hi Linda!), you probably benefited from Hyman Lipman’s invention. He’s the genius who stuck erasers onto the backs of pencils. It was patented on this date back in 1858.
You know who loved pencils? John Steinbeck, that’s who. He started every day with 24 freshly sharpened ones and went through 300 in writing East of Eden. Who was counting? And he used 60 a day on The Grapes of Wrath and Cannery Row.
If that’s not enough useless knowledge for you: The common pencil today can draw a line 35 miles long, or write around 45,000 words. It’s hexagonal so it doesn’t roll off the table. You’re on your own as far as rolling off the table yourself goes.
Well, it looks like Tiger Woods has propelled himself (poor choice of words?) back to the top of the “people you least want to drive your daughter to the airport” list. He’s ahead of Ted Kennedy and Princess Diana’s driver again.
Our Phil was pretty close with the Princess, back in the day. When word came out about the dreadful accident it was widely assumed Phil was driving. Here she is giving him one her “Come off it, Phil” looks that he loved.
At 13D today, the “California city with a humble-sounding name” was MODESTO.
Hard to believe Warren Zevon has been dead for 22 years, especially since I thought he was still alive. His dad was Jewish (last name Zivotofsky), and worked as a bookie for the LA mobster Mickey Cohen. Warren died at the age of 56 from mesothelioma. On his last David Letterman appearance, when asked what he learned about life, he said he learned “to enjoy every sandwich.” At DL’s request, he performed Roland, below. It was his final public performance. We’re discussing it today because MOMBASA was in the puzzle: it’s the second largest city in Kenya. Who knew?
Zevon was a close friend of Stephen King who said: “His albums are dense with stories and brilliant images.” King dedicated his novel Doctor Sleep to Warren. Zevon said that, with his last recordings, he wanted to remind people that “This was a nice deal: life.” Yeah, it’s very easy to forget that.
And then there were four. Go Blue! Standing in the way of UMich for the national title are Arizona, and (if we beat them), probably UConn. That’s right — mighty Duke has fallen. It’s been thirty years since we’ve won (1997, North Carolina).
This poem is from today’s Writer’s Almanac. It’s by Louis Simpson and is called “Chocolates.”
Once some people were visiting Chekhov.
While they made remarks about his genius
the Master fidgeted. Finally
he said, “Do you like chocolates?”
They were astonished, and silent.
He repeated the question,
whereupon one lady plucked up her courage
and murmured shyly, “Yes.”
“Tell me,” he said, leaning forward,
light glinting from his spectacles,
“what kind? The light, sweet chocolate
or the dark, bitter kind?”
The conversation became general.
They spoke of cherry centers,
of almonds and Brazil nuts.
Losing their inhibitions
they interrupted one another.
For people may not know what they think
about politics in the Balkans,
or the vexed question of men and women,
but everyone has a definite opinion
about the flavor of shredded coconut.
Finally someone spoke of chocolates filled with liqueur,
and everyone, even the author of Uncle Vanya,
was at a loss for words.
As they were leaving he stood by the door
and took their hands.
In the coach returning to Petersburg
they agreed that it had been a most
unusual conversation.
The Gnats have gotten off to a good start, kinehora, taking two of three from the Cubbies at Wrigley! Bullpen seems sharp. We’ll see if they can keep it up in Philly tonight. And we’ll catch them in person on 4/23, down in DC, v. the Atlantans, God willing.
Thanks for stopping by. See you next time.
Note: We are heading down to Baltimore tomorrow for a short getaway. Catching the O’s v. Texas on Weds. So broadcasting may be spotty. As always, we’ll do our worst. Back Thursday night.
The Wellington Files 