Singapore Creative Writing interview!

The above pic shows the green roof of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. I'm pleased to receive an interview there for Assistant Professor of Creative Writing! I'll be mowing the roof garden part-time.

I'm excited about the interview, happening on a Sunday night for me and early Monday morning for the Nanyangs, given Singapore is 13 hours ahead of the US!

Here's the Division of English department. Terima kasih, NTU!

Pat's hurricane!

It's time to get festive! Here's the greatest drink in New Orleans, the Pat O'Brien's hurricane!

Click the pic to make your own...the perfect antidote to the cold.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy yourselves!

This one is for America folks - London buses are now sporting advertisements from the British atheists...and apparently people are responding positively. Click the bus above for the full story!

Why not call the campaign "enjoy yourself with no consequences"?

Ancestor of Dead Parrot Sketch found!

Looks like the Ancient Greeks were the funniest guys after all. Click here or the pic for the article.

The Monty Python crew have classic taste, even the Greeks would agree.

University of Cape Town interview!

I just experienced my first academic job interview. It was exciting to talk to to three professors who work on the slopes of Devil's Peak, with a view of Table Mountain.

It was amusing too to be on the line with the Southern hemisphere - where it is summer and the end of the academic year! - as well as the end of the day! (8:30 AM east coast is 4:30 PM South African time).

With a little luck, I'll be visiting Cape Town in early December for a campus visit - now that would be something!

Faulkner-Wisdom Competition - I am "Almost Finalist"!

I'm pleased to say The Pride and the Sorrow is an "Almost Finalist" in the 2008 Faulkner- Wisdom Competition. The competition is run by the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society, and was judged by former Random House VP, Michael Murphy.

Thanks Faulkner Society!

New Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs novel!

Jack Kerouac has a new novel almost 40 years after his death! Ever the magician!

Last week I was teaching Kerouac's last novel Big Sur (1962) about his descent into alcoholism, and I had no idea he had a secret novel tucked away!

Check out this link to the story of the lost novel, and the involvement of fellow Beat writer William S. Bourroughs.

As per this previous post, I am pleased to say I'm still (I am waiting on tenterhooks!) the "alternate" to live in Jack Kerouac's old Orlando, Florida house next summer.

The experience of three months with the ghost of Kerouac is sure to either improve my writing or drinking (yes to both)!

Biggest book deal ever!

Who could it be? Danielle Steele? Stephen King? Oprah?

Click here to find out!

British muppet speeding on German autobahn!

The title post says it all... a British muppet has been speeding on the German motorway/freeway/autobahn, and has yet to be caught! Skills!

Click this link for the full story, kids. Rated PG-13.

"Yes We Can!"

The Obama Plan:

1

Stop 4 million Americans losing their homes (possible?)

2

Continue to make international allies (including Russia!)

3

Close Guantanamo Bay (where will the prisoners go?)

4

Move into the White House - and move the housesitter out!

Happy Bonfire Night!

Guy Fawkes is back - again!

Obama's America - but no electioneering!

Election Day is here at last. But apparently, according to T-shirt seller cafepress.com (who are worried about inciting riots), in some states it’s "prohibited to wear political gear at the voting booths. In fact, donning political attire may result in your being turned away - and in some cases, your arrest.

By definition, displaying political messages on T-Shirts, buttons and such is considered “Electioneering” (defined as, to work actively for a political party). To prevent voter intimidation, electioneering is not allowed near some state’s voting booths. Be sure to look into restrictions in your neck of the woods. To get you started here are a few recent articles discussing electioneering":

Issue of what not to wear emerges as voters go to polls: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20789

County won’t allow “passive electioneering”: http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_261100909.html

I am a fan of cafepress.com since I have my own shop here selling everything from sweatshirts to postcards! Cafepress lets you easily become a business partner, so I set up www.cafepress.com/mattfullerty a few weeks ago, and I've already sold a mug!

This time next year, I'll be a millionaire (Rodney)!