As so many have told you.

This all reminds me of an article I read by one of the leaders of the Zen Hospice Project.

A few years ago a woman at our hospice was just a few days from her death, and she was quite sad and depressed. This seemed natural to me; she was dying. But a nurse suggested that we start her on Elavil, which is a medication used to enhance people's moods and usually takes about three weeks to start working. I asked the nurse, 'Why do you want to prescribe this medication?" She replied, 'Well, she's suffering, and it's so hard to watch her suffer." So I said, "Maybe you should take the Elavil."

Take some Elavil, LW. Try to just accept it as it comes. Full article's at the link, I encourage you to check it out.

I thought you did a great job presenting your argument on Hardball-- and I say that as someone who hasn't always been impressed with your TV appearances. Nice work!

Maybe the Democrats can find their balls after all.

I loved Vincent Karthesier on Angel and I love him even more on Mad Men. Nice interview, too, you've tapped into a lot of the aspects of Pete that are so fascinating.

@drinkwater: I always thought it was because he didn't feel bad enough about his father's death-- he was in shock, and I wonder if he was a bit relieved, honestly, the guy was a jerk-- so he needed to know what he was 'supposed' to be acting like. Because he knew showing how he was actually feeling wouldn't be 'right.'

I'm glad Annie made it through.

But one good thing about it was that it ENDED. Most American series just go on and on, not on the basis of narrative drive but just on the basis of ratings. The Brits seem to understand that some stories are really better off with a beginning, a middle, and an end

I have to agree-- although there are other stories of the Room that could be told, part of what made the series so strong was its compact size. I'm glad to see Laura Miller calling attention to it, though, it was brilliant.

I'd encourage your nephew in ways to use his interest as a "hook" to get him interested in the larger topics. For example, my long-ago boyfriend became interested in history and read a lot about the time periods he had originally heard about in some conspiracy 'zine.

I have to agree. You've got Hegel on your bookshelf? Help teach him how to really read and understand it, or at least explain to him why he should. Don't tell him he's crazy; he gets enough of that already. Try to steer him to the sources. And get him reading!

I hope everything goes well for you during your treatment, Cary, and I appreciate, as always, your honesty and self-reflection.