October 11, 2004

You go for the Bleat, but you should stay for the Matchbooks

dixiegin.jpg

Everyday thousands of folks show up at LILEKS for the latest installment of "The Bleat." They come thirsting for a screed but often leave dry. They hope for another incident in the unfolding life of the Gnat and are often delighted. Those that come for a note on the antics of Jasper are advised to pack a lunch and, as far as the Lilek's better half is concerned, that's none of your business.

I originally, years ago, came to Lileks for the "Tales of Fargo," a mythic place that comprised his boyhood and the summers of my boyhood. (If you haven't been through this section of the site and are interested in a fine take on one of the great good spaces in America, I commend it to you.) There are also some places in LileksLand that seem to have a lot to do with celery and panties, but if you've got those tendencies you can find them without any pointer from me except the assurance that they are tasty.

But what gets me about all of you "Bleataholics" is that you seem to ignore the one area where Lileks, James is working his guts out. I refer of course to The Matchbooks. You'd think a concerned readership would be more than eager to absorb a Herculean endeavor to roll the American universe into a ball and frame it with matchbooks, but noooooooo! Day after day, the links go up but the click-throughs just languish.

You must, I tell you, rouse yourself from your pastoral stupor and pay attention. The one on offer for today ( LILEKS (James) Matchbooks) notes: "the story of Dixie Belle gin is a true American tale, albeit a sad one: you can see the entire arc of the 20th century in this little matchbook." And he then proceeds to tell you why and how.

Just one more reason to send this man to the United States Senate.

Posted by Vanderleun at October 11, 2004 11:10 AM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

"Just one more reason to send this man to the United States Senate."

Heavens no. I don't wish that on anyone I respect.

Posted by: Chrees at October 11, 2004 12:48 PM

Gerard,
You're actually sending us to view a matchbook collection? Maybe we need a Lileks Gallery of Not-so-fine Art?

Posted by: Stephen at October 11, 2004 12:53 PM

Normally, neither would I, but I think he should do it "for the children."

Posted by: Van der Leun at October 11, 2004 1:14 PM

Stephen, as I believe I indicated, there are galleries of not-so-fine art available on Lileks, as well as those of regrettable food and some fine and long forgotten fashions.

There are whole wings of the Lileks museum that gather dust and echo like the back halls of the Lovre... I merely want to get the explorations started.

Posted by: Van der Leun at October 11, 2004 1:16 PM

...And there is celery...

That was basically my first glimpse in to Lileksville.

I didn't go back until after 9-11. I think I followed a link from some long-forgotten page.

Everyday I read the Bleat much like I do many other blogs. I find myself ignoring the "established" news sources, newspaper, TV etc. The debacles at CBS, NYT NBC only confirm my mistrust in the MSM. No one in the Blogosphere used rocket motors to make a pickup truck a-splode to help sell their viewpoint.

Posted by: Mumblix Grumph at October 11, 2004 9:43 PM