The long awaited essay on Macedonio Fernandez, Borges’ mentor, in The Quarterly Conversation does not disappoint. I am looking forward to the publication of one of his novels in English next year from Open Letter.

Also, from The Quarterly Conversation, Grant Bailie’s new novel looks interesting, Bolano receives a lukewarm review for Nazi Literature In The Americas, and Daniel Green covers Donald Barthelme, an author I have wanted to check out for a number of years.

The New Yorker profiled Hugo Chavez a few weeks ago. I am really not sure what to think of this guy. They also covered former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper’s new show Secret Diary Of A Call Girl.
Reproductive Rights Blog on vasectomies.
The New Yorker on itching and the brain.

Meanwhile…

I am happy to report that Newspaper Blackout Poems (previously discussed) is going to have a full length book published. Very cool.
StateControl recently devoted an entire podcast to the band Harvey Milk. I have been hearing about this band for a few years, but this was the first time I really checked them out. Pretty good stuff.

WordPress 2.6 came out this week. Everyone should upgrade their blogs as soon as possible. The best way I have found is to install this plugin, which takes care of the upgrade rather seamlessly.
Dr. Kinsella has finished uploading his student’s readings of Paradise Lost from this past semester. I am going to give these a listen soon.
I am really impressed with the new version of last.fm that was opened up for the public a few days ago. Add me on there. The “neighbors” stream is quite impressive; it gave me artists as varied as Devo, Eric Dolphy, Negative Approach, and The Birthday Party the other night.