Look I know the world is falling apart in every way but can I at least be happy that this $2 CD has the magic ability to get me through the end of a long afternoon?

Kurt Vonnegut, Fates Worse than Death, beginning of chapter IV, p. 49.

Here's Kurt Vonnegut, speaking in 1974.

So I probably should have known that my office building was having its ceiling tiles replaced before I decided to work on campus today, but on the plus side I'm now living my best life in this library carrel, illegally playing Bach cello suites on the (empty) quiet floor, 10/10 would recommend.

Here's Kurt Vonnegut covering the 1972 Republican National Convention for Harper's.

Here it is, p. 65, if anyone is looking for it.

Here's what the building looked like, via www.lostcolleges.com/baltimore-me... (thanks to a LIBRARIAN). Imagine: now when I read his letters about his studies, I can imagine him in this building.

E.g. they helped me find this 1896 map showing Baltimore Medical College's actual location, which doesn't QUITE fit the description in the city directory. So grateful I got to walk Uncle Chet's daily commute, imagine the old city. That changed how I looked at every building in the city.

From Devon Fitzgerald, B.16. True words. #4c25

Sure, the world is falling apart, but just for one night, I'd like instead to think about Moiraine's hat in the new episodes of The Wheel of Time.

Riven (Cyan Worlds, 1997, 2024)

Yes, the world is falling apart, but at least Pee-Wee's Playhouse is now streaming free on Kanopy. Thank the Lord for library cards.

Somehow I feel like Brian Eno would appreciate my water-damaged copy of his Apollo album.

I KNOW that #4c25 isn't until April, but if you're making plans / buying plane tickets, consider ending the conference with this free Saturday afternoon workshop on audio storytelling, hosted by the Sound Studies & Writing Collective. Relaxed, creative, productive, community-building.