Sweet Nothings
Henry Miller’s Commandments
Feb 15th
photo by ken
Henry Miller’s 11 writing commandments, as taken from Henry Miller Miscellanea.
COMMANDMENTS
- Work on one thing at a time until finished.
- Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring.” (The project he was working on at the time)
- Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
- Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
- When you can’t create you can work.
- Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
- Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
- Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
- Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
- Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
- Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.
Gambler Horse Names
Jan 10th
photo by Bobby Duran
The wife, brother-in-law, and I played a good old fashioned board game thrifted while we were in chicago. Parker Brother’s 1975 masterpiece Gambler. A glorious game of chance that inevitably draws mass screaming in the stereotypical voices of gangsters and auctioneers. But throwing down wads of fake cash on horses simply numbered one through six left something to be desired. So we took it upon ourselves to google and vote on the best horse race names to give to our six steeds. For silliness and what-not I decided to post the winners.
- Gayfields’ Pistol Packin Mama
- Rollingwood’s Famous Cookie Thief
- Frisky Little Man
- Jerry K’s One Night Stand
- Boldest Cheddar
- Dance Hall Doctor
Keep on Gambling!
Happy End of Days 2009
Dec 31st
illustration by Mark Witton
The best of luck today heroes, in your final struggle against time, the forces of evil, and whatever solo encounter monster that awaits you at the end of this year’s struggles. Fight as if your weapons are all Dancing. Drink as if your mugs are Everfull.