Poet Billy Collins looked at me, across the book signing table, and said, “How about: Go fuck yourself?” The former United States poet laureate stared through his round glasses, face stone serious expression. Quite literally, I was asking for it. Billy Collins read Saturday, Nov. 8, at Central Library as a part of Vonnegut Fest … Continue reading Why Billy Collins told me to eff off
Tag: Kurt Vonnegut
When I met Stelth Ulvang, he was standing on the side of the road halfway between Cincinnati and Indianapolis with his thumb up. I told my now-fiancée that we should pick him up, adding comfortingly, "He's safe: he has a skateboard." (Side note: Ever since, my detective aunt won't cease to remind me not to pick … Continue reading 5 Questions with Lumineers pianist Stelth Ulvang
If I say something stupid, which does happen, I prefer to be in the company of friends. Not famous people. But when I met Nikki Giovanni, I said something pretty stupid. Nikki was speaking for a diversity lecture at UIndy, and she kept bringing up Kurt Vonnegut, a personal hero of mine. So I recommended: "If you're … Continue reading Nikki Giovanni on Kurt Vonnegut and Antarctica
James Figy 