thirteen ways

I do love a good meme, especially on a lazy, rainy, post-tour-frenzy Monday, when I am very much lacking blog inspiration.

The good Mr Spiegelberg over at Musical Perceptions has tagged (which I guess is the blog equivalent of a “dared”) me to do the following:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

The Tax Inspector by Peter Carey

“No one’s going to shoot you. All we’re doing is working late.”

The lift ascended and the liquid display panel above the door wished someone called Alex a happy birthday.

Carey, a truly great craftsman in the English language, keeps his sentences distinctly concise and fat-free! Since I am about to dive into this slightly sordid tale about an Australian Taxation Officer, this intriguing tidbit has whetted my appetite. Thanks, Scott!

(A special shout-out to my father, who edited the book and also provided me with a favorite quote, from an interview he did with Carey very early in the author’s career: “I think writing’s a boring f***ing insular silly occupation.”)

Alright, I will tag Mr Geelhoed, Mr Blotter, Ms Bird, Mr Patner and Mr Felsenfeld.