January 2001

More post-election commentary that makes sense. From The Economist, a more migration-based explanation than the tribal one I found a while back. I think they’re both getting to the crux of the matter, which is that simple generalizations of our current political landscape are pointless. The old ways of looking at race, class, geography, and gender in regard to who votes for who are giving way to less clear-cut, but probably deeper divisions. It’s going to be an interesting four years at the very least.

Gregory Corso is dead at 70. I always forget somehow that the Beat poets age. Something about the way they entered the nation’s consciousness lives on, as if they’re forever these young, vital artists crashing through the barricades of propriety. I remember how surprised I was when I saw Allen Ginsberg almost 10 years ago and realized that he looked a lot like my dad—glasses, balding, distinguished professorial goatee, and in a suit. He was, however, most assuredly himself—reading old and new poems, singing and accompanying himself on the harmonium, and generally raising a ruckus. I feel very fortunate to have seen him when I did.

A classic Northwest day—wet and blustery. Time to go make some chai and grab another novel. I’ve gotten off fiction in the last 5 years or so, but have recently dived back in with two fine novels: The Sparrow and Children of God. Completely engrossing, and they questions they raise have stayed with me for over a week now. A great pair for a book club, for sure.