Raise a Glass (and a Book)

Happy Bloomsday, everyone! And not just any old Bloomsday, but the centennial Bloomsday.

I have a confession to make: I’ve never read Ulysses, despite having innumerable references to it in many of the cultural touchstones I frequent. Well, no more — today, I shall mark the occasion by raising a pint of Guinness (well, 14.9 fluid ounces, which I could never quite figure out — hell, an English pint is supposed to be 20 fluid ounces) and commencing upon a long-overdue reading. There’s an old used bookstore in my neighborhood, which I haven’t visited since the original owner’s widow sold it — long story, but I’d happily give them the business (assuming they have a copy today, of all days).

Don’t get me wrong — I don’t expect to finish it anytime soon, but I’ll be starting before midnight tonight.

Although, maybe I should start by 7:00 pm, that being midnight in Dublin...