BOOKCELLAR NOTES (3/20/03 Thu):

CDs played today:
- Albert Collins TRUCKIN’ WITH: Side Two (not CD: vinyl LP)
- Ornette Coleman DANCING IN YOUR HEAD (Xgau: A)
- Raphael Saadiq INSTANT VINTAGE (Xgau: A minus)

---Stayed up way past my bedtime last night curious if target-of-opportunity Saddam may have been tagged by a cruise missile. Much as I may have deplored the initiation of all this dire foolishness, I confess I shared with even the most nitwit born-again nationalistic hawk-yahoo the hope that Saddam’s removal had been effectuated, although I am sure the attempt could be considered a war crime. It certainly would be if the gesture were reciprocated. I finally went to bed realizing it was probably too good to be true, that a hit had been made. As for what is going on now, I will try to avoid being fixated by the micro-detail and rumormongering of nonstop network coverage (if it is even being offered up at this moment). Likewise I will try to resist the urge to watch the NCAA basketball tournament games starting today, if the war is even allowing them to be on TV--matchups I would not touch with a ten-foot-pole during the regular season now looming huge in importance to participants and fans. All-important but hardly life and death.

---Printed out and faxed order to Random House.

---Chilly foggy day today. I think I will have to go to the grocery store with Amy soon.

---Indeed it turns out the basketball games were shifted over to ESPN, which my non-cable TV does not get. I can’t complain about the Dan Rather marathon, because the importance for people who have loved ones involved in the war situation far transcends petty sports considerations. Even though the events actually transpiring might not seem to warrant such constant coverage, with the lack of newsworthy information coming through in a commensurately ongoing basis, I suppose the situation itself warrants an eye being kept on it while it is in the process of unfolding. Besides, I am able to carry on my regular work now without the basketball on. I did watch Dan Rather for a while, but finally tore myself away, doubtless just before something cataclysmic--but why someone in Polk City needs to be clued in constantly, who is lucky enough to have a son in college and not on the front lines; but who knows there are others’ sons not so safely harboured, who he can certainly empathize with--why he needs to be clued in from moment to moment is unknown. But I am sure there are many who do feel a need to be kept in the loop, and that is also fully understandable, even if their friends or family are not immediately involved.