Sir yes sir

Here's a story from eWeek, a computer-industry trade publication, about directNIC, the Internet provider that sells me my mail service -- and that has been running on generators in downtown New Orleans since Katrina struck. As I have mentioned repeatedly, a former military man is running the business and writing about his experiences on a blog that reads like letters from 'Nam.

I don't mean to bore you with all these postings about my ISP, but the story is really quite remarkable. My e-mail is diesel-powered these days.

Overheard on the bike path

"He looks like a Mon Chi Chi."

A critic hits flyover country

Arts blogger Terry Teachout, theater critic for The Wall Street Journal, is posting this week from right here in Wisconsin. He's checking out Frank Lloyd Wright structures and seeing local theater -- American Players Theatre in Spring Green, and Madison Rep in the capital city. At least one local theater critic is holding his breath.

Good words?

Now that I am -- can this be happening? -- a full-time writer, I dwell too much on small, everyday writing tasks that most people probably don't give a second thought. Perhaps it's all those years of writing entertainment blurbs, but I find myself striving for grace and wit as I construct even the smallest bits of prose: thank-you notes, reminders to buy milk. It's paralyzing. But fun.

Good word

"Some people are such good musicians that even their mistakes are right."

--Sara Pace

From the archives

Just turned up a short article I wrote in December 2003 about New Orleans' Rebirth Brass Band. I asked bandleader Philip Frazier to name some good restaurants in his city. He suggested, among others, one called We Never Close.

That seems as good a battle cry for the Crescent City as any, these days. Keep being beautiful, New Orleans.