SHUDDER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that several employees of the Tennessee Valley Authority had been disciplined for hazing a fellow employee. I don't know about you, but given the TVA's location, I immediately pictured a guy yelling "squeal like a pig" and "hazing" Ned Beatty. I know, I know. Old stereotypes and all. Still, it was a sphincter-clenching moment.

By the way, the hazing appears to have been much more benign than that.

BOOK REVIEW

While in Boogie for Christmas I read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Suffice it to say that if you've read The DaVinci Code, you've basically read this book. Same set up, with an old guy getting killed in a strange fashion and his daughter joining forces with the same protagonist to solve a mystery near and dear to the Catholic Church's heart. It was great for what I wanted, which was a mindless exciting read over the holidays.

By the way, Dan Brown's web page contains a "Bizarre True Facts" section about his books. For The DaVinci Code, one "bizarre true fact" is:

243 Lexington Avenue, New York
The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic sect that has become controversial recently due to allegations of brainwashing, coercion, and a dangerous practice known as "corporal mortification." Opus Dei has recently completed construction of a $47 million, 133,000-square-foot American Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City.

Yeah, Opus Dei is really a big secret. Their web page is cleverly concealed at opusdei.org, where they also state the "bizarre true fact" that Opus Dei has centers in 19 (gasp) American cities. You sometimes get the sense that Dan Brown needs to take a step back and chill. It's as if he forgets that he is writing trashy fiction and starts to believe the crap he made up.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year. May the road rise to meet you, and may you look as "young" as Dick Clark until your moment of expiration.