Hogged

Yesterday I finished reading Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel. It was quite good. She employs a pretty minimal style, but at its best it works up subtle rhythms that are absolutely sublime. That word "sublime" probably evokes something that doesn't accurately describe her work, but I don't have a better word for it right now. And it's not always there, but when it is it's extremely good. Mary Beth and I did up the birthday celebration by picking up ribs from Ball Hoggerz. Been meaning to try it for a while. Goofy name but really good barbecue! The ribs were very tender and flavorful. I ate a whole rack, which was over-the-top but only just a little bit. I was a little more than full, but not painfully so. So that seems a success for a decadent birthday celebration. At night we watched No Regrets for Our Youth, the early Kurosawa movie. It was okay. It feels early and where he hadn't quite come into his own style/voice and the pacing can be a little clunky at times. There are some good aspects to it though.