11. Auden’s 1956 book review of The Return of the King. (much thanks to biblioklept)

For objectifying this experience, the natural image is that of a journey with a purpose, beset by dangerous hazards and obstacles, some merely difficult, others actively hostile. But when I observe my fellow-men, such an image seems false. I can see, for example, that only the rich and those on vacation can take journeys; most men, most of the time must work in one place.

11. Valzhyna Mort is a Belarusian badass. Just saying.

11. Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel? She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel and it comes so suddenly and such birds that fly, dipping and hunting, with their small sad voices are made too delicately for the sea.

4. All Diagram t-shirts are 10 bucks until they are gone. (I suggest the dead hamsters.)

11. Note to self: continue to eat old book reviews.

Brautigans involve people just living around in a landscape that is vaguely compounded of shacks, scenery, and catch phrases; they have slightly improbable ways of getting by, but as they don’t need much and aren’t wildly ambitious, their needs are easily met by the usual raunchy, hand-to-mouth means.