6 September 2002

New York's currently: trying out this whole yoga thing

Just Five Days Away! The media goes overboard on Sept. 11 coverage, including amusing attempts by 'real' journalists to distance themselves from TV reporters; still, it's a relief to know Peter Jennings will host a question-and-answer session for children, 3 to 4 p.m. EST.

Congressional leaders get secret brief on the White House's case for taking down Hussein. Related: Must-read story about retired Lieutenant General Paul Van Riper, playing Iraq, who beat the U.S. in the biggest war simulation ever.

Turkish couple prevented from naming their baby Osama bin Laden.

Seattle considers taxing espresso (not drip coffee) to pay for early-childhood education. (at least someone's thinking about the children.)

Blair to release dossier detailing Iraq's warfare capabilities; speculation, for now, on its contents (good overview).

Singer waves too soon to fans while disembarking helicopter...

Don't need a Booker. Am successful, well-adjusted, straight-toothed Writer of Renown with valuable contracts and great hair. Shit. Shit. Shit. Martin Amis, among others, has an online diary, sort of. [via lh, good luck on the move]

A judge, a crown, a contract, a shithead boyfriend: Ms. North Carolina goes contested.

'It's hard when you're leaving and the kids start crying--that's a very difficult emotional scenario for me,' says Bruce Hornsby. Hornsby, Brian Wilson, others on the difficulties of touring year-round.

Marian DuVal, the only full-time stenographer in California who uses pen and paper.

'I just think that the industry is ill-prepared for the situation it finds itself in now with the different types of music, with older musicians, with younger bands…It certainly wasn't prepared for downloading. It completely closed its eyes on that one and looked aside and said 'oh, that will never happen.' And now they've gotten themselves in all sorts of trouble there…The whole industry, I think, could be doing a better service to the public as a whole.' Classic Yes lineup regroups for world tour; keyboardist Rick Wakeman (whose solo on 'The Prisoner' alone could increase your dexterity roll by nine) in an interesting interview on the state of the recording industry.

Long, rewarding bio-review on Iris Murdoch.