Here’s an LA Times piece, “Remembering Jim Carroll,” by poet Lewis MacAdams. I’ll borrow an excerpt from the column, quoting Jack Kerouac.

That’s when the poet Ted Berrigan took him to visit Jack Kerouac, who took a look at some of Jim’s writing and said, “Jim Carroll writes better prose than 89% of the novelists working today.”

It’s still true. To read the Rolling Stone obit, click here.

There’s a link within the story above that takes you to the Rolling Stone archives, and an 1999 interview with Carroll, where the poet speaks of a new book, touring, and Kurt Cobain.

RIP Punk Poet. And thanks.

And if you’re in the mood for a quick short story on this wonderfully spooky day, you can always reread The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.

Oh, and did you know? This isn’t the only Friday the 13th this year. There are two more in 2009, one in March and November. That won’t happen again until 2015.

I wish I could say that my company was somehow special or unique, and that the reality of the world had no bearing on our day to day activities. Sadly, I can’t say that.

FearNet speculates that MacFarlane’s plan to keep the sports lines going means trouble for more the company’s horror toys. Sure would be a shame. While I’m no toy collector, I have to admit I can see at least two McFarlane figures from my desk. This yummy guy is one of them.

Maybe it’s time to pick up some creepy collectibles in time for some kiddo’s holiday stocking? Right now, the company is pushing Guitar Hero action figures. I’d be more for the Twisted Christmas collection. Wouldn’t want to run into this snowman on a dark night.

Quickly: Mr. Reed’s web design class sent a shout out for local businesses to work as clients for his web design students. In turn, they created the sites. Great job, all around. Many a Friday morning spent together. And here’s to Michael finishing System Shock. One of the creepiest first-shooter video games, ever (and precursor to Bioshock).

Someday, I know my co-op playing wife is going to want the disk back.

Also, I’ve nearly finished Michael Connelly’s THE POET (you can read the synopsis back at the jump). My father’s been bugging me to read this thriller for quite some time, and I have to say I’m impressed. It’s about a serial killer who targets homicide cops. Connelly, and/or his editor, has a unique style worth reading. When the prose gets rolling, you’ll find you can’t set the novel down.

What struck me as odd, was the connection between THE POET and a recent media story about the SMILEY FACE MURDERS. Talk about truth is stranger than fiction. If you get a chance, read Connelly’s synopsis and before the MSNBC article. Who knows if there is any validity to the story, but it still gave me the shivers.