Ready to Ruck

Well, the brand-spankin' new Saratoga Stampede will have its first live-action scrimmage tomorrow, Saturday, April 1 (no foolin'), at the East Side Rec Field in Ballston Spa. Kick-off will be at 1 p.m. This will be in preparation for our first opposed match, which will be next Saturday in Rutland, Vt.

Here's a photo of me tearin' it up at practice yesterday. (Credit: Chis Tomchik) Notice there are no other players near me. That's not because I'm "ahead of the pack," but well behind it. A few more weeks of this, and I'll either be in shape or in intensive care. Cross your fingers.

For more information on the club and directions to the pitch, check out www.saratogarugby.com.

Writerly Wisdom

"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain."

- James Baldwin

Fine Art (or, as the French say, F'Art)

Liam wanted to do some painting today, so we broke out the arts & crafts box and put on our smocks. A crimson, winged visitor to our back yard (and a recent viewing of a certain Hitchcock film) inspired me to work in an ornithological vein, but after I painted the bird, the canvas still seemed empty, so I improvised a bit.

I call this piece "Giant Cardinal with Nude." Feel free to download it for use as an attractive wallpaper for your PC desktop.

The Pogues Live and Back from the Dead

 

So last night I drove out to Boston to see the Pogues reunion concert with my cronies Josh and Bird. I'm still recovering from the experience ... watch this space for more details about the show. 

Shane MacGowan, the lead drinker ... er, singer:

Terry Woods, mandolin virtuoso and a fine singer to boot (he did a stirring "Young Ned of the Hill" last night):

Some Lite Lit Crit on Critters in Lit

Here's an academic paper I just completed. Might be of interest to other Faulkner fans:

Barking up the Family Tree: Animals in "Was" from Faulkner's Go Down, Moses