I’m reading this fascinating book called “Low Life,” by Luc Sante. It basically details the underworld of Manhattan from the years 1800-1918, focusing on gangsters, dives, whores, pimps, con men, brothels, graft, corruption, saloons, tenements, and poverty. It’s colorful stuff, and depressing. But I can’t tear myself away from it. In some respects I think I enjoy reading about New York City more than actually visiting.

“The Da Vinci Code”: I have no interest in or intention of seeing the movie or reading the book. It looks like lazy, frenetic storytelling: a ripoff of Umberto Eco by way of Indiana Jones. I don’t like Tom Hanks or Ron Howard. And yet … it’s annoying so many religious conservatives (for such silly, trivial reasons) …

milehighguy is an old flame of mine and going through some rough stuff right now. Send some benevolent thoughts his way.