In the New Yorker...

[serious crayons]

Maybe George Saunders put his finger on why we love Wordle and Connections so much: In ?The Third Premier,? part of the summer Flash Fiction series, George Saunders evokes life during dictatorship: ?The thing to do was develop an interest in the flower boxes on one?s balcony or keep a record of the stars one saw at night and lose oneself entirely in such things.?

Or focus on New Yorker articles you never got around to reading. Here's yet another online feature I would have known nothing about!

[Jeff Wrangler]

I highly recommend Al Pacino's memoir in the September 2 issue.

And as for that photo of him from 1972? Hoo-boy, I would have been so there! Just my type! 

(Makes you wonder, though, that photo. He writes that he wouldn't be drafted because he was supporting his mother, but he's wearing what certainly appears to be dog tags.)

[Front-Ranger]

Trivia I've learned about Al (his name is actually Alfredo): His girlfriend gave birth to a child last year. The age difference between him and her is 53 years; he is more than twice her age. He is included in Wikipedia's list of oldest fathers.

[Front-Ranger]

... He writes that he wouldn't be drafted because he was supporting his mother, but he's wearing what certainly appears to be dog tags.)

We all wore them, in solidarity with those who were drafted. Also wore the denim shirt.

[serious crayons]

OK, perhaps I'll give it another chance. I read a column or so and thought it contained way more information than I needed to know about Al Pacino, and presented in kind of a dry straightforward way, as though he's entering all of this into the historical record rather than writing a captivating essay for a fairly sophisticated literary audience. I like Al Pacino! But I don't need to know every detail of his childhood. With your recommendation, though, maybe I'll try again.

[Front-Ranger]

The First time I read it, I had the same reaction as you, Kathryn. But I went back to it later when I was in a different mood and it flowed better. Some of the details come up again later and some are "telling" details that help us understand his acting style.

[Jeff Wrangler]

We all wore them, in solidarity with those who were drafted. Also wore the denim shirt.

I guess you're dating yourself then. I never heard of that. 

[Jeff Wrangler]

OK, perhaps I'll give it another chance. I read a column or so and thought it contained way more information than I needed to know about Al Pacino, and presented in kind of a dry straightforward way, as though he's entering all of this into the historical record rather than writing a captivating essay for a fairly sophisticated literary audience. I like Al Pacino! But I don't need to know every detail of his childhood. With your recommendation, though, maybe I'll try again.

I found it riveting from the get-go. (Shrugs)

[serious crayons]

I guess you're dating yourself then. I never heard of that. 

I've never heard of it, either. Maybe that's because we're not Baby Boomers, we're Generation Jones.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I've never heard of it, either. Maybe that's because we're not Baby Boomers, we're Generation Jones.

Say whut?