Brilliant, resilient… Have you heard of the Doodle Diet?

Ridiculously inventive, and bordering on irrational (but in a fun way), is The Doodles Diet, Deborah Zemke’s book of 36 engaging placemats that each serve up something better to do than eat.

Obviously drawing is way more fun than skinny jeans. Kidding!!!

via chroniclebooks.com

I know some people who would love this, and a couple who’d despise it. If I actually sat down at a table to eat I’d probably consider buying it. If only…

Juxtaposed: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

via ffffound.com

Joyce Carol Oate’s “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” can be read here. Dedicated to Bob Dylan, you will find critical theory here. I wrote about this in college but don’t have access to the paper. The music is here.

It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (lyrics via bobdylan.com)

You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last.
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast.
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun,
Crying like a fire in the sun.
Look out the saints are comin’ through
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.

The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense.
Take what you have gathered from coincidence.
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.
This sky, too, is folding under you
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.

All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home.
All your reindeer armies, are all going home.
The lover who just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor.
The carpet, too, is moving under you
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.

Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you.
Forget the dead you’ve left, they will not follow you.
The vagabond who’s rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore.
Strike another match, go start anew
And it’s all over now, Baby Blue.

It gets lonely on the road…

What I’m loving this month…

• Duffy. Specifically “Stepping Stone.” Lovely voice, lovely extensions, lovely video — especially the old-fashioned glass milk jar. What’s that about? It’s catlike and captivating.
• Parallel parking, toddler-style!
• Tiesto, Tegan, and Sara’s “Feel It In My Bones.”
• MonthlyInfo.com — for making TTOM that much easier.
• Danielle Pergament. Read “Roman Holiday” in the November Allure. The mag’s site hasn’t posted the story yet, but if they do and I find it, I’ll make things easy and add a link here.
• Lauren Groff’s The Monsters of Templeton. A monster surfaces, dead, dredging up a fascinating genealogical mystery, complete with a rich and unforgettable cast of characters. Visit the NYT for the first chapter.