Well now. A big Happy Birthday anniversary to you my friend! You put together and shared a really nice collection of music, words and images. Thank you! So glad you started this road we all enjoy.
Thanks, Mark! I really appreciate this - I'm having fun and I'm love that others like to have fun like one of the ways I do. I can't believe tomorrow's issue is the 150th (actual topics, not the 2 volume summaries that SHOULD have been number 50, but instead I made 51 ... not very symmetrical, that). I've decided to keep things the same for Volume 4, but 25 weeks from now I feel like I'll need a change. Any suggestions, please send them my way. And thanks again!
Happy birthday, Bryan! Looking forward to reading Vineland at your recommendation. Hope you have had a great day, and thank you for so many interesting rides on The Bus. All the best, DT
Thanks, David! I really do appreciate your support - and Vineland is brilliant. Let me know what you think. Glad you like The Bus - it's a labour of love, but one I'm thoroughly enjoying and I'm glad you're along for the ride!
Dog! Thought of you the other day - I caught myself telling my son: 'This is exactly what I was afraid would happen.' Thanks for the birthday wishes! I hope you're well! Drop me an email sometime.
Thanks, Tom - I really appreciate this comment - and I'm very glad The Bus continues to deliver joy. That's why I do it - I enjoy looking into whatever pops into my head and I love taking people with me. Number 150 is tomorrow ... Volume 3's coming to an end and it's Volume 4 a week from now ... I'm not changing anything for the next volume, but I'll need to do something for 200+. Hmm. Any suggestions?
Okay, I’m scattershotting my replies to you, but here’s another idea for the next edition: guest posts (your regular driver is off on vacation, so we’ve brought in a substitute driver). After I made my other suggestion in today’s post, I immediately thought: how would I construct a Bus post around a mountaineering theme? I know the movies (Into the Void) and the visual artist (James Hartdyke), but the book and the playlist ... I’d have to work on that.
Mountaineering would be a great topic - might just do one on that .... The first book that comes to mind is Robert Macfarlane's Mountains of the Mind. I recommended it back in Issue 1.40 (Stanley Donwood). It's a fantastic read about how mountains - once feared as the source of evil, etc. became - in the late Enlightenment - places of wonder and challenges to conquer. This history, interspersed with Macfarlane's recounts of his own mountaineering exploits, was an education - and I personally think the penultimate chapter, in which he recounts Mallory's three (ultimately failed) attempts to climb Everest, is one of the best I've read. Now, the playlist is another thing entirely.
You’re welcome ... and I’ll think about your question. For this reader, I don’t attend much to whatever continuity you’ve woven into the volumes. It always feels nearly serendipitous to me. I’ll let this rattle around in my brain.
Happy birthday, Bryan! Thanks for all you do here. I look forward to every ride on The Bus.
I somehow didn’t take either of those classes, but Dr. Foley and Dr. Plank were great influences on me. I decided to major in religion after getting “stuck” in Foley’s History of Christianity class first semester freshman year, and I spent countless hours in Dr. Plank’s classroom and office the next 3 years. I learned so much from him.
I saw on Facebook that Dr. Plank just recently retired. I sent him my thanks and congratulations, and he seems to be enjoying it.
Anyway, enjoy your day, and here’s to your 54th year!
JJC
P.S. I’ve always been a little intimidated by Pynchon, but I aim to give Vineland a try this winter.
Thanks, Jim! I really appreciate this - and I'm very glad you enjoy The Bus. I started it to occupy myself when I was home following being made redundant. I didn't know where it was going/how long it would last, etc. (I still don't), but I'm back in the classroom and time is precious. Monday's issue is the 150th Stop, and while I'll keep it the same for the next volume of 50, after that I'm unsure. If you have any suggestions, please let me have them!
Foley and Plank were fantastic. Maloney was my advisor, but Foley was the one who I gravitated to - I spent countless hours in his office - I think I stopped by once/day every weekday. Must have driven him crazy - I know how I feel when THAT kid stops by to see me. But it's also cool, so I hope he had that balance of appreciation.
As for Pynchon - that guy's as intimidating as hell. But at his most difficult, I find his work much 'easier' than other 'difficult' books like Finnegan's Wake, The Sotweed Factor, J.R. or The Pale King. Gravity's Rainbow is tough going, but Vineland is just a great novel. There's no earnestness there, no 'classic' status. You might also try Inherent Vice - and the film is great.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your insights, curiosities, and passions with us. I always enjoy reading your work and appreciate your recommendations. Be well.
Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoy The Bus - it's definitely a labour of love and at times I question why I do it. But comments like yours make it worth every minute; I really do appreciate them. I hope you're doing well - can't believe how many years it's been since that Friday Afternoon Club performance. Which, for some reason, popped into my head last night. Take care.
By this point, this is very belated, but Happy Birthday, Bryan!
Thanks!
Happy birthday, Bryan! And thank you for the gift of your archive! 🚌
Thank you - I hope you enjoy the archive!
Well now. A big Happy Birthday anniversary to you my friend! You put together and shared a really nice collection of music, words and images. Thank you! So glad you started this road we all enjoy.
Thanks, Mark! I really appreciate this - I'm having fun and I'm love that others like to have fun like one of the ways I do. I can't believe tomorrow's issue is the 150th (actual topics, not the 2 volume summaries that SHOULD have been number 50, but instead I made 51 ... not very symmetrical, that). I've decided to keep things the same for Volume 4, but 25 weeks from now I feel like I'll need a change. Any suggestions, please send them my way. And thanks again!
Happy birthday, Bryan! Looking forward to reading Vineland at your recommendation. Hope you have had a great day, and thank you for so many interesting rides on The Bus. All the best, DT
Thanks, David! I really do appreciate your support - and Vineland is brilliant. Let me know what you think. Glad you like The Bus - it's a labour of love, but one I'm thoroughly enjoying and I'm glad you're along for the ride!
Happy birthday! Thanks for all the great suggested reading and music.
Thank you! I really hope you enjoy the suggestions- it’s great having you on the ride!
Happy birthday. :).
Thank you!
Happy Birthday Wise Ole Mr. Owl!!!
Dog! Thought of you the other day - I caught myself telling my son: 'This is exactly what I was afraid would happen.' Thanks for the birthday wishes! I hope you're well! Drop me an email sometime.
Happy birthday Bryan, and thanks for all the joy you bring to my life with The Bus
Thanks, Tom - I really appreciate this comment - and I'm very glad The Bus continues to deliver joy. That's why I do it - I enjoy looking into whatever pops into my head and I love taking people with me. Number 150 is tomorrow ... Volume 3's coming to an end and it's Volume 4 a week from now ... I'm not changing anything for the next volume, but I'll need to do something for 200+. Hmm. Any suggestions?
Okay, I’m scattershotting my replies to you, but here’s another idea for the next edition: guest posts (your regular driver is off on vacation, so we’ve brought in a substitute driver). After I made my other suggestion in today’s post, I immediately thought: how would I construct a Bus post around a mountaineering theme? I know the movies (Into the Void) and the visual artist (James Hartdyke), but the book and the playlist ... I’d have to work on that.
Mountaineering would be a great topic - might just do one on that .... The first book that comes to mind is Robert Macfarlane's Mountains of the Mind. I recommended it back in Issue 1.40 (Stanley Donwood). It's a fantastic read about how mountains - once feared as the source of evil, etc. became - in the late Enlightenment - places of wonder and challenges to conquer. This history, interspersed with Macfarlane's recounts of his own mountaineering exploits, was an education - and I personally think the penultimate chapter, in which he recounts Mallory's three (ultimately failed) attempts to climb Everest, is one of the best I've read. Now, the playlist is another thing entirely.
Ooh, I don’t know that book! Thank you. Yeah, the playlist will be tricky. There’s John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High, of course, but after that …
You’re welcome ... and I’ll think about your question. For this reader, I don’t attend much to whatever continuity you’ve woven into the volumes. It always feels nearly serendipitous to me. I’ll let this rattle around in my brain.
Happy birthday, Bryan! Thanks for all you do here. I look forward to every ride on The Bus.
I somehow didn’t take either of those classes, but Dr. Foley and Dr. Plank were great influences on me. I decided to major in religion after getting “stuck” in Foley’s History of Christianity class first semester freshman year, and I spent countless hours in Dr. Plank’s classroom and office the next 3 years. I learned so much from him.
I saw on Facebook that Dr. Plank just recently retired. I sent him my thanks and congratulations, and he seems to be enjoying it.
Anyway, enjoy your day, and here’s to your 54th year!
JJC
P.S. I’ve always been a little intimidated by Pynchon, but I aim to give Vineland a try this winter.
Thanks, Jim! I really appreciate this - and I'm very glad you enjoy The Bus. I started it to occupy myself when I was home following being made redundant. I didn't know where it was going/how long it would last, etc. (I still don't), but I'm back in the classroom and time is precious. Monday's issue is the 150th Stop, and while I'll keep it the same for the next volume of 50, after that I'm unsure. If you have any suggestions, please let me have them!
Foley and Plank were fantastic. Maloney was my advisor, but Foley was the one who I gravitated to - I spent countless hours in his office - I think I stopped by once/day every weekday. Must have driven him crazy - I know how I feel when THAT kid stops by to see me. But it's also cool, so I hope he had that balance of appreciation.
As for Pynchon - that guy's as intimidating as hell. But at his most difficult, I find his work much 'easier' than other 'difficult' books like Finnegan's Wake, The Sotweed Factor, J.R. or The Pale King. Gravity's Rainbow is tough going, but Vineland is just a great novel. There's no earnestness there, no 'classic' status. You might also try Inherent Vice - and the film is great.
Happy Birthday, Bryan! Wishing you many exciting adventures!
Thank you! Sorry we couldn't see you this summer - maybe next year?!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your insights, curiosities, and passions with us. I always enjoy reading your work and appreciate your recommendations. Be well.
Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoy The Bus - it's definitely a labour of love and at times I question why I do it. But comments like yours make it worth every minute; I really do appreciate them. I hope you're doing well - can't believe how many years it's been since that Friday Afternoon Club performance. Which, for some reason, popped into my head last night. Take care.
Happy Birthday, Bryan! Thank you for the gift, and enjoy your day as much as I enjoy the stops on your Bus!
Thank you - it was a good birthday!
Many happy returns Bryan! And thanks to your gift to us of 30 days complimentary access!
Thanks - and I hope you enjoy the archive!