http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/...e-monkeys-paw/
June 9, 2014
Video: The Simpsons
Photos: Bart Simpson, japanese signature
Seriously. I feel as though I’m the main character in a contemporary retelling of The Monkey’s Paw. You know the story: Guy acquires a monkey’s paw that is purported to grant its owner three wishes. Too late, said owner realizes he should have heeded the old adage “Be careful what you wish for.”. There have been countless adaptations since the W. W. Jacobs’ short story first saw print in 1902, in literature, music, film & television. The pinnacle, of course, being the Treehouse of Horrors episode of The Simpsons in which Lisa’s wish for world peace leads countries to destroy their nuclear stockpile, allowing aliens to sweep in and conquer a defenseless Earth. Later in the episode, Homer’s wish for a turkey sandwich also has horrific unforeseen consequences...
Presently, I’m somewhere between a Homer and Lisa level of anguish of looming tragedy.
Somewhere down on my list of wishes, I’ll say #1089, is “I wish I had better handwriting”. It’s so bad that there are times I can’t even decipher my own scrawl. But today, Akemi saved me a wish by informing me that Japanese researchers have discovered a link between atrocious handwriting and intelligence. According to their findings. the thought process of brilliant individuals works so quickly that the physical act of writing can barely keep up. Obviously, this explains my chicken scratch. On the bright side, said researchers provide hope to those who would nevertheless like to improve their longhand. Apparently, calligraphy helps. I was heartened to hear it because I think I have a natural gift for flourished script. Check out the obvious talent in my Japanese signature:
I’m a regular Fujiawa no Shunzei, don’t you think?
Well, sadly, I won’t be breaking last month’s record of 25 books read (Yes, let’s not forget our Book of the Month Club). I’ve spun my wheels on and abandoned TWO books this month. This RARELY ever happens. Even the bad ones, which are usually mercifully short, I manage to get through. But not these two. I gave them a shot – 100 pages for one, 65 for another, but, ultimately, I just couldn’t do it. Happily, it’s much smoother sailing on Justin Cronin’s The Passage.
So, I’m curious. What was the last book you gave up on why?
June 9, 2014
Video: The Simpsons
Photos: Bart Simpson, japanese signature
Seriously. I feel as though I’m the main character in a contemporary retelling of The Monkey’s Paw. You know the story: Guy acquires a monkey’s paw that is purported to grant its owner three wishes. Too late, said owner realizes he should have heeded the old adage “Be careful what you wish for.”. There have been countless adaptations since the W. W. Jacobs’ short story first saw print in 1902, in literature, music, film & television. The pinnacle, of course, being the Treehouse of Horrors episode of The Simpsons in which Lisa’s wish for world peace leads countries to destroy their nuclear stockpile, allowing aliens to sweep in and conquer a defenseless Earth. Later in the episode, Homer’s wish for a turkey sandwich also has horrific unforeseen consequences...
Presently, I’m somewhere between a Homer and Lisa level of anguish of looming tragedy.
Somewhere down on my list of wishes, I’ll say #1089, is “I wish I had better handwriting”. It’s so bad that there are times I can’t even decipher my own scrawl. But today, Akemi saved me a wish by informing me that Japanese researchers have discovered a link between atrocious handwriting and intelligence. According to their findings. the thought process of brilliant individuals works so quickly that the physical act of writing can barely keep up. Obviously, this explains my chicken scratch. On the bright side, said researchers provide hope to those who would nevertheless like to improve their longhand. Apparently, calligraphy helps. I was heartened to hear it because I think I have a natural gift for flourished script. Check out the obvious talent in my Japanese signature:
I’m a regular Fujiawa no Shunzei, don’t you think?
Well, sadly, I won’t be breaking last month’s record of 25 books read (Yes, let’s not forget our Book of the Month Club). I’ve spun my wheels on and abandoned TWO books this month. This RARELY ever happens. Even the bad ones, which are usually mercifully short, I manage to get through. But not these two. I gave them a shot – 100 pages for one, 65 for another, but, ultimately, I just couldn’t do it. Happily, it’s much smoother sailing on Justin Cronin’s The Passage.
So, I’m curious. What was the last book you gave up on why?
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