“Here’s what I love about Dylan: He was exactly as you’d expect he would be. He wouldn’t come to the rehearsal; usually, all these guys are practicing before the set in the evening. He didn’t want to take a picture with me; usually all the talent is dying to take a picture with me and Michelle before the show, but he didn’t show up to that. He came in and played “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” A beautiful rendition. The guy is so steeped in this stuff that he can just come up with some new arrangement, and the song sounds completely different. Finishes the song, steps off the stage… comes up, shakes my hand, sort of tips his head, gives me just a little grin, and then leaves… That was our only interaction with him. And I thought: That’s how you want Bob Dylan, right? You don’t want him to be all cheesin’ and grinnin’ with you. You want him to be a little skeptical about the whole enterprise.”
—Obama on Bob Dylan performing at the White House
September 2010
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“I do things like get in a taxi and say, “The library, and step on it.”
—David Foster Wallace
Durham University students offered Harry Potter course
Students are being given the chance to sign up to what is thought to be the UK’s first course focusing on the world of Harry Potter.
The Durham University module uses the works of JK Rowling to examine prejudice, citizenship and bullying in modern society.
Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion will be available for study next year. A university spokesman said: “This module places the Harry Potter novels in their wider social and cultural context. A number of themes will be explored, including the world of rituals, prejudice and intolerance in the classroom, bullying, friendship and solidarity and the ideals of and good citizenship.”
Well, shit. I need to get me to this uni.