At the recommendation of my buddy, Andy, who lives in the above-ground ocean known as Seattle, I picked up a Michael Chabon novel yesterday (the movie that I oogled about the other day, Wonder Boys, was based on his novel). I bought his first book, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. I am flabbergasted. I am bowled over. I am all-shook-up, uh-uh-uh. This guy has the most amazing ability to wrap words around one another to create these amazing descriptions and details, yet the writing retains the calm fluidity of conversation. It’s like you’re listening to him tell the story orally. It’s great. I just finished the chapter, “The Checkpoint.” I’ll post a full review when I’m done.

On the drive in to work/school this morning, we had the radio tuned to the 80s channel. The DJs were giving away some sort of pass to some sort of event. The caller had to identify a snippet of a song that was being played backwards. The first caller thought it was Hold Me Now by the Thompson Twins. Nope. The DJs gave a hint. The song contains the words, “How ever do you want me, how ever do you need me.” Right away, I knew it to be Back to Life by Soul II Soul. But the second caller didn’t. Instead, he said something that should make Tamity’s ears (and especially her hackles) perk up, “Is it Walk Like an Egyptian by the Go-Go’s?” Ari and I busted out laughing. (If you don’t understand the humor, chances are you didn’t grow up in the 80s.)

Tangent Time! This song is not “Back to Life” (nor is it “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles):

Feelin’ da funk da funk that’s in the trunk the trunk
I feel the funk da funk, feelin’ the funk da funk
I’m feelin’ funk da funk I’m in the trunk da trunk
Feelin’ da funk da funk, I am the funk

I am the funk. You know it.