Chris Nicholson's Writing Weblog
June 24, 2005 • Friday
Yesterday CNN.com published a travel story on touring the literary landmarks of one of my favorite states to visit, Maine. I've always loved the lighthouses, rocky beaches and inexpensive lobster found in the U.S.'s most northeastern state. But while I knew of Stephen King's residing there, I was unaware of the area's other literary ties.
The CNN.com article covers tidbits about King, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Robert McCloskey, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry David Thoreau and more.
For more information, read "Literary Maine: A reader's pilgrimage."
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June 09, 2005 • Thursday
I don't normally link to New York Times articles, because you need to register to read them (which, while free, I find annoyingly unnecessary). But this is a good story.
"As Paparazzi Push Harder, Stars Try to Push Back" investigates a fledgling Hollywood trend of celebrities standing up for their rights against aggressive photographers. Good for them.
For the record, not all photographers are paparazzi. In fact, almost all the photographers I know are very respectful of people's wishes to be or not be photographed, celebrities included. It's the few bad mackintoshes who cause the negative headlines.
I do not believe that being famous negates one's right not to be harassed.
For a much wittier observation on this issue, read Steve Martin's "The Paparazzi of Plato," originally published in The New Yorker in September 1999. You can read the piece in Martin's book Pure Drivel, or on this website that published a seemingly unauthorized copy.
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June 08, 2005 • Wednesday
In the category of Interesting Ways to Spend Time: Jerry Lerma and Terry Hogan of California State Polytechnic University (Pomona) have spent four years creating a detailed map of Springfield, home of TV's The Simpsons. The Guide to Springfield USA is a fun and detailed trip down the Simpsons' memory lane.
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June 07, 2005 • Tuesday
First, a Happy Birthday to my sister Katie, who turned 30 yesterday.
Over the past few days, Katie, my other sister, Ann, my brother, Colin, and I hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail, including the arduous Agony Grind section in New York's Sterling Forest. Hiking the entire 2,174 mile-long trail has never been a goal of mine, but now I'm actually (mildly) considering doing so.
In other news about writers, the Christian Science Monitor reports that an American preservation group is working with parties in Cuba to save Ernest Hemingway's house from ruin. This is already sparking political debate. I, for one, don't see a worthy connection between embargoing a renegade government and saving a historic site of international importance. For more information, read "Will The Bell Toll For Hemingway's Havana Home?"
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June 03, 2005 • Friday
It's been a busy past month, as evidenced by my lack of activity on this blog.
Now, this weekend will be a chance to relax. My oldest younger sister, Katie, is turning 30 this weekend, and wants to take a hike on the Appalachian Trail with her siblings.
I'll be gone for three days, unwinding in nature.
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