tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60085842011-04-21T13:44:23.365-04:00Occasional web log from Southern writer Leverett Butts.Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comBlogger861100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1116439224248112262005-05-18T13:57:00.000-04:002005-05-18T14:00:24.266-04:00

Rob Davis is one of my two oldest and closest friends. Take care of yourself over there, Rob.From the Newnan Times Herald:Newnan man among departing troopsPublished 5/17/05By W. WINSTON SKINNERwinston@newnan.comRob Davis is off to war -- heading to Iraq.Davis -- officially Capt. Robert C. Davis -- and comrades in the 148th Forward Support Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard got an

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1113587807297614842005-04-15T13:54:00.000-04:002005-04-15T13:56:47.300-04:00

Just so you know. I am currently working diligently to finish the next instalment of the Roanoke saga. I want to have the whole story done by Wednesday, but don't hold your breath.If you need to refresh your memory, be sure and click on the previous instalments to the left of here and re-read them.Again, I apologize for the insanely long wait.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1111524467897763452005-03-22T16:36:00.000-04:002005-03-22T16:47:47.900-04:00

We Apologize for the Wait . . .But this quarter is turning out to be one of the most hectic and time consuming academic terms in my professional career.I am teaching from 9:00 AM to 10:15 Monday through Thursday, 10:30 to 11:45 Monday through Thursday, 12:00 to 1:15 Monday through Thursday, 2:00 until 4:30 Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and 5:30 to 6:45 Monday and Wednesday (hell, it's even

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1109006334741650692005-02-21T13:16:00.000-04:002005-02-24T11:16:19.690-04:00

Fear and Loathing in the AfterlifeHunter S. Thompson 1937-2005First Gonzo Journalist and inspiration for Doonesbury's Uncle DukeDead from a self inflicted gunshot woundIt was just one of those days.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1108994322742777242005-02-20T09:55:00.000-04:002005-02-21T13:16:35.963-04:00

Once again I apologize for the delay in continuing my Roanoke story; however, it's been really a hectic couple of weeks with papers to grade comps to read for, family members sick, friends having kids, and so on and so on and scooby-dooby-dooby.Anyway, I'm hoping to get the next installments in next week God, family, and students willing.Hang in there; we're almost through.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1106406914477817112005-02-02T10:52:00.000-04:002005-02-03T11:36:48.586-04:00

He'd Like to Come and Meet Us, but He Thinks He'd Blow Our Minds Part 4: Saturday Continued: We filled in Sekoni and Abid, the last two members of the Georgia State Contingent, on our Star findings over dinner at a local tavern on a corner of the market square. "So you two are going up there tonight?" Sekoni asked as she took a bite of her pasta. "I don't know that we have much of a choice,"

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1106834349912677272005-01-27T09:44:00.000-04:002005-01-27T11:24:03.560-04:00

We interrupt our program to bring you something important. Today marks the sixtieth anniversary of the most horrific incident in the modern era. I can't really say that it marks the end of the horror, though for millions of people it did, because it also marks the beginning for many many more. When Soviet forces reached Auschwitz, they found there living evidence of how far a human soul can

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1102368471058214492005-01-03T17:27:00.000-04:002005-01-22T10:51:09.620-04:00

There's a Starman Waiting in the Sky Part three Saturday: Saturday dawned like any other except, of course that I found myself in a very large and soft double size bed in a posh vacation resort instead of my king size bed in a modest house in Temple. Though we had set our clocks for seven, Jim and I still found ourselves unable to rise before ten. We had once again missed the morning sessions,

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1103828889669202192004-12-23T15:03:00.000-04:002004-12-23T15:11:15.850-04:00

Somebody clearly does not want me to finish my Roanoke expose'. Last night I was up until two putting the finishing touches on installment three. When I hit the "save" button, though, my computer crashed, erasing the bulk of the installment. Sadly, it will be after Christmas at the earliest that I can get back to it. So until then, happy holidays, everybody.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1102365080274382192004-12-14T16:26:00.000-04:002005-01-10T14:18:53.286-04:00

"My God, It's Full of Stars" Part twoFriday: The star motif became even more evident as we stumbled our way throught the first day of the conference.We had gotten up too late attend the first sessions, and breakfast was no longer served by the hotel restaurant (Who quits serving hotel breakfast at 8:30? Hell even McDonald's keeps serving breakfast until 11:00 but more on food chains in a minute)

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1102364426131237232004-12-07T16:07:00.000-04:002005-02-03T17:22:57.156-04:00

Part 1:Fact: In 1310, the pope formally disbanded the Knights Templar, a pseudo-secret organization dedicated to defending pilgrims on their journeys to the Holy Land and to protecting mystical religious artifacts (such as the Holy Grail and shards of the true cross). Fact: Many believe that the Templars did not actually disband but formed a more truly secret group, the Illuminati, to

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1102363649200019492004-12-06T16:04:00.000-04:002004-12-07T16:08:57.533-04:00

It's been almost a month, so I'm sure that the stardust in Roanoke has settled. Therefore, I feel relatively safe divulging my tale of intrigue and mysticism set among the backdrop of the 2004 SAMLA conference. Starting tomorrow I will begin serializing the story. It's just too large to try to post all at once, and you people have waited long enough. See you then.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1101741599434814512004-11-29T11:11:00.000-04:002004-11-30T10:01:36.520-04:00

Happy belated Thanksgiving,y'all. You know what's bothersome? For weeks I haven't had much to say on the blog. Ideas just haven't come to me, so rather than write something stupid or post a lame personality test or something, I simply didn't post anything. I'm a firm believer in not talking if you don't really have anything to say. Now, however, I have a story I want to tell. I think it's a

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1100884650755610662004-11-19T14:11:00.000-04:002004-11-19T13:45:45.980-04:00

I'm still working on my Roanoke report. It's really hard to boil down three days of books, Lev, and paranormal into a few paragraphs, but I'm trudging on. Also I've figured out how to post pictures ot my blog, so my tale can be illustrated. In the meantime, in between time Here's an ad that just makes me giggle like a prepubescent girl and feel really bad about it later. Enjoy Ain't we got

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1100705143739227872004-11-17T11:16:00.000-04:002004-11-17T11:30:21.966-04:00

I just found out that one of my two oldest friends has left for war in an undisclosed land (I can't tell you where, but I suspect there's a lot of sand). Cpt. Rob Davis left Monday for training. By the middle of next year, he'll be sweating in a foreign land. Rob, I can't say anything nearly as poignant as Scott wrote (for one thing, the words won't come right now; for another, they'd just be

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1100394874312871902004-11-13T21:08:00.000-04:002004-11-13T21:14:34.313-04:00

I am in Roanoke, VA this weekend attending the SAMLA conference. It is now just after 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 13, 2004. In a little while, I and the remaining Georgia State contingent will embark on an expedition up a mountain to see a star and explain a mystery. It could be dangerous, or it could simply be cold. I will explain later when I return home. However, if I don't report by

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1100120874846762612004-11-10T17:00:00.000-04:002004-11-10T17:18:36.233-04:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1100017552769259042004-11-09T11:56:00.000-04:002004-11-09T12:33:03.840-04:00

Recently, I have received comments and emails from my readers complaining about my lack of posts and threatening to quit reading my blog altogether. I appreciate everyone who reads my blog. I have been doing it for over a year, now, and I'm constantly amazed at how many total strangers tune in every week to see if I've left more ramblings. I expect my friends and family to check in, and as much

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1099586568534927812004-11-04T12:18:00.000-04:002004-11-04T19:18:32.060-04:00

Okay, today I'll talk about it . It's no secret that I'm not exactly Bush's or the GOP's greatest supporter. It's also no secret that I did not want Bush to win a second term. Not because he's a Republican; he isn't. He is a megalomaniacal idiot chimp with a Napoleonic complex the size of Shaq. He seems intent on destroying this country from within by tacitly encouraging our industry to move

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1099518156776054622004-11-03T17:41:00.000-04:002004-11-03T17:42:36.776-04:00

I don't want to talk about it.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1098890197972529642004-10-27T11:15:00.000-04:002004-10-27T11:16:37.973-04:00

Bush Voted Year's Top Film Villian 'nuff said.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1098718663333553542004-10-25T11:33:00.000-04:002004-10-25T11:46:53.260-04:00

Friday was my birthday. Thanks to everyone who emailed me (Unfortunately, I didn't get them until today, but better late than never). My students keep asking me if I went out and partied my ass off Friday. Sadly, my ass has been off for years now. Also, when you live paycheck to paycheck and your birthday falls in the middle of the month, there's not a whole lot of money for much partying.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1097783736767965822004-10-14T15:53:00.000-04:002004-10-14T15:55:36.770-04:00

Check out Elbert Markey's new blog. He's a local homeless guy. I didn't have any money to give him, so I set him up a free blog. I think he's much happier now.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1097620978443380482004-10-12T18:39:00.000-04:002004-10-12T18:47:46.480-04:00

Superman died again. This time I think it's for good. Christopher Reeve September 25, 1952 - October 10, 2004 R.I.P.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1096554863264722762004-09-30T10:17:00.000-04:002004-09-30T13:53:39.800-04:00

The Return of the Jedi plate is gone, now, and more's the pity, not to one of my readers. When I got this idea of hocking my stuff through my blog, I primarily thought it would be a kind of neat way to share something with my readers. Well, that's not entirely true. Who are we kidding? I primarily thought it would be an easy way to make some quick spending change, but the whole sharing thing was

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1096481705500035392004-09-29T14:11:00.000-04:002004-09-29T15:20:14.420-04:00

Well, I've sold the first item. The Empire Strikes Back plate is gone, sold for the criminally low price of $25 (I got two potential buyers eyeing the Return of the Jedi plate, too). I also have a couple of bids for the Star Wars comic adaptation. If any of you are thinking about buying anything, hop on over before they all get gone.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1096308770090135802004-09-27T13:48:00.000-04:002004-09-27T14:43:04.616-04:00

This past weekend was pretty hectic. Last week, while surveying my property for damage from the herd of hurricanes that have blown through town for the last month or so, I discovered that my crawl-space and cellar doors were badly in need of replacing, so I played manly handyman all day Saturday and built them from scratch with power-tools, lumber, hammer, and nails. I got the bruises,

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1095718251125186582004-09-20T17:52:00.000-04:002004-09-20T18:17:31.983-04:00

If You're Gonna Let Another Angel into Heaven, I Got One That Oughta Go I realize that the most recent entries haven't exactly been laugh-a-minute riots, but sometimes life just works out that way. This entry is no exception. I was saddened to learn last week that one of Atlanta's best local artists, Uncle Mark Reynolds (who was also a personal friend) died on Septermber 11 of a heart attack.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1095025957676218372004-09-11T17:50:00.000-04:002004-09-13T14:01:24.496-04:00

When I had been divorced about a year, I lived in a cabin in the woods of Bowdon, Georgia. I think on some level I wanted to get as far away from other people as I could. Since being an English professor forced me to interact with others at work, I spent most of my private life holed up in my cabin doing my best to play hermit. Basically, I went to work, taught my classes, and made lame excuses

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1094745100831892402004-09-09T11:50:00.000-04:002004-09-09T11:51:40.830-04:00

I'd just like to take a moment to apologize to my dedicated readers for the long delay in posting. My life has been relatively uneventful and quiet the last few weeks. I'll return as soon as something interesting happens.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1091543412324263162004-08-03T10:27:00.000-04:002004-08-03T10:30:12.323-04:00

I'd just like to take a moment to send out a big ol' happy birthday out to Scott Thompson. He's one of my oldest friends, and now he's also one of my oldest friends. Happy b-day, Scott. Here's hoping you have at least three hundred and eighty two more.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1090599169196877172004-07-23T11:46:00.000-04:002004-08-06T12:28:36.473-04:00

Well, it's taken me a couple of years, but I finally caught my first plagiarizer. I feel a little like the late bloomer here as almost all my colleagues have caught one before (one particular professor's office looks a bit like a big game hunter's sitting room since he makes it a habit to display not only the offending papers on his "wall of shame" but he hangs head shots of each of the offenders

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1090443757440382862004-07-21T16:43:00.000-04:002004-07-21T17:02:37.440-04:00

So I just heard about this new reality series coming out on UPN. It's all about these Amish kids who get to share a Hollywood beach house or something as they try to decide whether they want to embrace the modern world or go back to their homes and live a life of gardening, animal husbandry, and barn-raising.  It sounds a little more interesting (and maybe a lot more exploitive) than the average

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1088729808339594212004-07-01T20:55:00.000-04:002004-07-06T11:18:29.633-04:00

Yesterday was my first wedding anniversary. Tina has tolerated me for a whole year now! Thanks, honey. Iyuv -Lev

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1087947512460067832004-06-22T19:37:00.000-04:002004-06-22T19:38:32.460-04:00

My family has abandoned its grudge against me. My sister made the President's List despite the dastardly "B" her bastardly brother gave her.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1086744264992752302004-06-08T21:18:00.000-04:002004-06-10T18:49:29.580-04:00

When my sister lost her HOPE scholarship at West Georgia college because she'd much rather chase boys, hang out, and sleep in instead of study and attend class, I suggested she try to improve her GPA at the junior college at which I am employed. I knew that it could be potentially dangerous, but with the caveat that she not take any classes from me, I got her the paperwork and set up appointment

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1086303426032450002004-06-03T18:54:00.000-04:002004-06-03T18:57:06.033-04:00

I'm out of my office much of the next eight weeks as I'm on summer break. I'll be in sporadically, but it may be a while before I can get a new article off. In the meantime keep checking in and read Scott Thompson's weblog, gecko tales (see my link on the sidebar).

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1085065090732879572004-05-20T09:45:00.000-04:002004-05-20T11:17:36.590-04:00

I have never given much credence to the idea that the increasing violence on television has rendered my fellow Americans insensitive to violence in general. I figured the whole brouhaha was either a liberal trick to lobby for kinder, gentler, and more friendly programming or a conservative trick to encourage programming in support of "family values" (whatever that means). However now I have my

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1084372185753273612004-05-12T10:29:00.000-04:002004-05-12T10:29:45.753-04:00

God weeps.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1084205301058600362004-05-10T12:06:00.000-04:002004-05-10T12:08:21.060-04:00

Human beings can be awfully cruel to one another. -Huck Finn

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1083680262411710062004-05-04T10:17:00.000-04:002004-05-04T10:25:08.700-04:00

Hey guys. Still working on other projects right now, so not much time for the blog. However, Uncle Lev has not forgotten about you; he's brought some alternative reading material for you loyal readers. Enjoy This comes from Chad Fifer at the thesimon.com.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1082989893599419142004-04-26T10:31:00.000-04:002004-04-28T15:25:16.093-04:00

Estee Lauder has died. She swore there were no ugly women. Now there'll be no ugly corpses, either. Rest in Peace.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1081878961813408122004-04-13T13:56:00.000-04:002004-04-15T22:42:21.810-04:00

So a couple of Fridays ago I was supposed to have lunch with Rob Cole, an old friend of mine whom I hadn't seen in over a decade. Ordinarily I'm off on Fridays, so this shouldn't have been any big problem. On Thursday, however, my boss told me I had to go to the main campus in Milledgeville (about two hours away from my home in Temple) to attend a curriculum meeting for her. So lunch was out

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1080744203277517182004-03-31T09:43:00.000-05:002004-03-31T09:47:00.246-05:00

This google search came in this morning in from Rob Cole: 1) Go to www.Google.com. 2) Type in (but don't hit enter): "weapons of mass destruction" 3) Hit the "I'm feeling lucky" button instead of the normal "Google search" button. 4) READ CAREFULLY what appears to be a normal ERROR message. Make sure you read the whole error message. Try this soon, before someone at Google fixes

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1080591136086909952004-03-29T15:12:00.000-05:002004-03-29T15:51:33.326-05:00

Here's another reason I don't like web journals. I feel like I have to censor myself if I'm doing more than posting oddball stories or self-deprecating humor. For instance, I'd love nothing more right now than to write about my frustration with teaching creative writing, but I can only do it in the most vague of terms (a practice I keep trying unsuccessfully to break my students of). Why?

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1080238365994543462004-03-25T13:12:00.000-05:002004-03-25T13:16:15.200-05:00

See? this is the kind of pro-active response we need more of. It's good to see the young folks taking an interest.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1079456385140228802004-03-16T11:59:00.000-05:002004-03-16T14:55:45.186-05:00

The Bugs (and Their Allies) Are Taking Over, and the Dogs of War Are Growling When you go camping or hiking in the woods, you should be prepared for encounters with unfriendly animals.We are, after all uninvited guests in the homes of fierce creatures. We can't really expect to waltz blithely into the den of an uncivilized bear or mountain lion and not prove to be at least a minor irritant to

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1078328003631400842004-03-03T10:33:00.000-05:002004-03-03T10:37:42.496-05:00

"I felt bad because I had no shoes; then I met a man with no feet." I don't feel so old, today. Or rather I still feel old, I just realized this morning that my generation is far from alone. This goes out to all you folks who were in high school in the mid to late nineties: Welcome to adulthood and rapid aging! I heard Green Day this morning on the adult contemporary station. Frank Sinatra,

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1078237539442963982004-03-02T09:25:00.000-05:002004-03-02T09:28:36.810-05:00

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss! Sorry you're dead.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1077821006682337712004-02-26T13:43:00.000-05:002004-02-26T13:47:13.326-05:00

Several of you have asked about where you can get some more of my fiction. My latest story, "Negative Space", has been published in The GSU Review. If you would like a copy, contact the editor, Dan Marshall, at martah@mindspring.com. Tell him I sent you, and he'll send you a copy of the magazine. I do not know, however, if he'll charge you the cover price and shipping costs, but if he does be

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1077733944213332312004-02-25T13:32:00.000-05:002004-03-01T10:16:45.390-05:00

Music has always been a problem for me. When I was a teenager, I got in more accidents because I couldn't quite grasp the complexity of raising the volume or changing the channel on my radio while keeping the car at a steady speed and/or between the yellow and white lines on my side of the road. My ability to safely navigate my life while enjoying my music has not gotten better as the years have

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1077645688717634852004-02-24T13:01:00.000-05:002004-02-24T13:04:16.903-05:00

Today is my wife's birthday. Happy Birthday, Tina. Iyuv -Lev

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1077212713423317652004-02-19T12:45:00.000-05:002004-02-19T12:47:54.140-05:00

Today's Top Story: Animal Rights Gone Far Astray

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1077131284284176052004-02-18T14:08:00.000-05:002004-02-18T14:10:44.216-05:00

Hooray for lunch!! My wife makes the best roast pork sandwiches around. The secret, you see, lies in thin slices stacked crosswise on the bread with healthy helpings of mayonnaise and whole wheat bread. Eat it with cucumber slices and an RC Cola, and you're transported directly to lunchtime heaven. MMMM. I think I need a nap now. See you all tomorrow. -Lev

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1077036087025467292004-02-17T11:41:00.000-05:002004-02-17T11:44:05.153-05:00

I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate young Zach Davis, the newest offspring of my old friend Rob Davis, on his christening Sunday. Way to go, Zach, Not only did you not cry when the minister sprinkled water on you, you bravely resisted the urge to give tit-for-tat and sprinkle water on the minister. We're all very proud.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1075908308964158772004-02-04T10:25:00.000-05:002004-02-04T11:52:48.343-05:00

Look, guys, the latest sign of impending apocalypse: Jack Nicholson is giving up on random, free-range sex. In Other News: Baretta claims the Godfather's son did it. File This Under "Well, What the Hell Did You Expect, You Fucking Shit-for-Brain?:" British station ITV is upset because Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols used profanity on the air. No Kidding? Next thing you know, Tito'll be

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1075735858046217812004-02-02T10:30:00.000-05:002004-02-02T10:33:15.513-05:00

Happy Groundhog's Day According to Punxsutawney Phil there's going to be six more weeks of winter. Here in the South, however, General Lee has predicted an early spring. To my readers north of the Mason Dixon line, I have this to say: Ha-ha -Lev

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1075222228008557492004-01-27T11:50:00.000-05:002004-01-27T14:13:58.326-05:00

The tally of broken resolutions begins. I took twenty-three days and a visit to Jones Bar-B-Q to do it, but I've finally broken my first New Year's Resolutions (3, 5, and 20 to be exact). My wife and I have been on the Atkins diet since New Year's Day, and we had been fairly successful. I had lost about twenty pounds, Tina twelve. We were fairly happy with the diet. Basically, this diet makes

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1074708989184072812004-01-21T13:16:00.000-05:002004-01-21T14:05:58.873-05:00

Why I Hate Narrow-Minded Christians Now, before you go getting your tacky ties and/or your robes (depending on denomination) in a wad, understand that by "narrow-minded Christian" I am not implying that all Christians are narrow-minded, nor am I claiming that all narrow-minded people are Christians. I am only concerned today with the relatively small subset of Christians who are, in fact,

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1074023464326732682004-01-13T14:50:00.000-05:002004-01-13T14:56:23.763-05:00

I'd just like to say that I haven't written anything recently because I've been diligently working on my new story (resolution number 10, for those of you keeping score at home). I'd like to say, further, that the story is rocking right along. My detective, in true hardboiled style has gotten himself beaten to a pulp and found himself enmeshed in nebulous plotting on the part of the ambiguously

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1073322332457408322004-01-05T12:05:00.000-05:002004-01-05T12:05:51.746-05:00

My New Year's Resolutions: 1. Exercise more (by more, of course, I mean to exercise any) 2. Lose some weight. 3. Don't find it. 4. Eat more fiber. 5. Eat less crap. 6. Fix the basement. 7. Fix the gutters. 8. Save Arx Fatalis from the demon Akbaa and his evil minions. 9. Rescue Middle Earth. 10. Write my new detective story between these two epic campaigns. 11. Finish reading the

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1072128510714441022003-12-22T16:28:00.000-05:002003-12-22T16:32:16.900-05:00

For those of you who didn't catch this heartbreaking holiday story on the Gecko Tales blog of a helpless elf forcibly taken from his home in the dead of night and his hair-raising whirlwind journey over half the country, Check it out here. Hi-Ho -Lev P.S. I'm starting a petition to bring the elf back home. Just sign my comment box to join in. No one should be away from family, friends, and

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1071855360910410392003-12-19T12:36:00.000-05:002003-12-22T16:25:11.546-05:00

Since I'm out of the office for a few weeks and I won't be pampered by the high-speed connection, I'm afraid my entries may be sparse between now and the new year. In fact I'll be opening the writing duties up to you, my audience. Send me any little weird, amusing, or otherwise interesting internet story/anecdote, and I'll post some of them when I'm on the net over the holidays. Today's entry

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1071236553084060012003-12-12T08:42:00.000-05:002003-12-12T08:42:45.510-05:00

In order to give equal time to schizophrenic reviewers, I've dug up this review for the Two Towers theatrical DVD release.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1071092926558700142003-12-10T16:48:00.000-05:002004-01-05T12:07:12.073-05:00

This is quite possibly the most bizarre review of The Return of the King (of any movie for that matter) I've ever read. Warning: this review contains spoilers (I think but then again, who can tell with this guy). Click here to read some insane guy's review of the latest installment of The Lord of the Rings

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070987168991659822003-12-09T11:26:00.000-05:002003-12-09T11:26:20.996-05:00

Hey kids! Try this for fun and laughs: 1. Go to Google.com 2. Type the words "miserable failure" 3. Click "Google Search"

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070898254801349872003-12-08T10:44:00.000-05:002003-12-08T16:07:17.090-05:00

I feel like I've been dragged over an eight mile stretch of bad road and then left in a rock quarry. You know, it's amazing to me that something a small a s a virus can lay low someone as large as me. However, lay me low, it did. I staged a bed-in all weekend to protest the abuse my body has suffered from the amoral microscopic beast intent on the destruction of my species.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070564679371213752003-12-04T14:04:00.000-05:002003-12-04T14:40:19.096-05:00

I stayed up late last night watching Court TV. There's something about documentaries about crime that completely sap my will to turn off the remote. Anyway, it inspired me to list my top ten serial killers. Lev's Top Ten Favorite Serial Killers: 10. Charlie Manson: Okay he's not technically a serial killer, but he should at least appear on some list since he ain't never getting on the parole

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070475779119395922003-12-03T13:22:00.000-05:002003-12-03T13:23:09.560-05:00

Look!! My log is now interactive! I have a comment column, so now you, too, can chime in on my journal and tell us what you think. Why not be the envy of your friends and neighbors and try it today?

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070406974448925702003-12-03T03:16:00.000-05:002003-12-04T14:37:53.020-05:00

Some days are just golden. Nothing brings out the teenage rebel in me like finding out my old high school assistant principal has been busted for drugs: This from the Newnan Times Herald: School administrator arrested Jennings retires after cocaine, other charges filed Published 11/29/03 By CAMERON JOHNSON cameron@newnan.com Coweta Assistant Superintendent Chris Jennings tendered his

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070389086506675252003-12-02T13:19:00.000-05:002003-12-02T13:19:17.043-05:00

I'd like to dedicate this to the undying memory of Super-Scooter (a.k.a. S.T.)* *For more information, see the post for Thursday October 30, 2003.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1070297841969355882003-12-01T11:57:00.000-05:002003-12-01T11:57:31.413-05:00

Welcome back. I hope everyone had a filling and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Lev's holiday ramble: I hate people who call it "Turkey Day." I don't know why; it just sounds stupid. I also hate "X-mas," not because it offends the religious right, but because the abbreviation makes no sense. It's like calling Tuesday "Z-day." Besides, it sounds like Malcolm X's birthday. Similarly, "MLK day" sounds

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1069777918005394772003-11-25T11:31:00.000-05:002003-11-25T11:41:53.656-05:00

As an educator I feel a responsibility to improve the lives of my fellow man. Similarly, as a literature professor, creative writing teacher and amateur writer in my own right, I feel driven to provide instructional insight to other beginning writers. The following list was compiled with the help of Sarah Strong Wilson after having attended one too many open-mike poetry readings at The Corner

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1069686347266840542003-11-24T10:05:00.000-05:002003-11-24T10:07:10.850-05:00

As I may not get a chance to post this week due to the school responsibilities and the holiday, I thought I'd post my Thanksgiving blessing today: May you never lie, cheat, or drink. If you must lie, though, lie in each others arms. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink with us. -Scottish blessing I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1069369519414270392003-11-20T18:05:00.000-05:002003-11-24T10:08:45.380-05:00

It's been a slow week here in Temple, GA. We've had registration at work, so I haven't had much time to think of anything witty to say. Therefore I've decided to let someone else have a voice today. I don't remember where I found this list, but if any of you have seen the short-lived and now defunct show American Gothic you may find this amusing. If you haven't seen the show, shame on you; it's

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1069082835142021902003-11-17T10:27:00.000-05:002003-11-17T15:42:50.443-05:00

Look! I was right: See what scholars say about Anne Rice and her sexually confused creatures of the night!

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1068765381688263442003-11-13T18:16:00.000-05:002003-11-13T18:16:49.106-05:00

Today's dose of irony: I am an English professor, my wife taught middle school English, yet my step-son is failing Language Arts beautifully.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1068662217006272082003-11-12T13:36:00.000-05:002003-11-13T18:14:21.483-05:00

Could someone tell me why Borders has Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles in their literature section while Stephen King, Douglas Adams, Neil Gaiman, and J.R.R. Tolkien are stuck in science fiction/horror/fantasy? Not that I have any high-brow, snobby preconceptions about these fine genres. Quite the contrary, I believe these genres are shamefully under-appreciated critically. I do, however, realize

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1068153341920796822003-11-06T16:15:00.000-05:002003-11-06T16:15:45.536-05:00

Review Leverett Butts - Musings of a Bored English Teacher

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1068056175198291952003-11-05T13:16:00.000-05:002003-11-05T13:16:18.530-05:00

If you type my name, Lev Butts, into Yahoo.com, you get porno sites. I find this disturbing.

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1068046132014445192003-11-05T10:28:00.000-05:002003-11-05T10:28:55.126-05:00

Sometimes I feel like an idiot. Some times I am an idiot. A few weeks ago I went on a canoeing trip down the Flint River with one of my oldest friends, Rob Davis, I wore my favorite shoes, my six year-old black Skechers. By the time we got to the end of our trek, these shoes which had lasted through three years of teaching high school English, countless camping trips, not a few heavy yard

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1067981400543802852003-11-05T09:33:00.000-05:002003-11-05T10:31:07.046-05:00

Why are so many of my American lit students surprised when the salesman dies?

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1067971323883354932003-11-04T13:42:00.000-05:002003-11-04T16:32:06.846-05:00

In answer to my question about the fate of Halloween yesterday, I learned that the city decided to move Halloween to Thursday night instead of Friday (which explains why I kept hearing knocks on my front door all night. Nobody ever uses my front door, so I figured my hearing was just fucked). Why did the city elders decide to screw around with Halloween? Was it an attempt to through off the

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1067873428457781562003-11-03T10:30:00.000-05:002003-11-04T13:47:36.063-05:00

So whatever happened to Halloween? Over the past several weeks, my wife and I have spent our time searching the aisles of discount stores for cheap crappy candy to give out on All Hallow's Eve (Tip: For that nostalgic feel in your cheap crappy candy, visit Big Lots; they have Halloween treats dating back to October, 1932. The more contemporary minded shopper can also find huge savings on cheap

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1067539845664809372003-10-30T13:50:00.000-05:002003-11-04T13:48:21.703-05:00

First of all, this is all very new to me. Several of my friends keep weblogs and far more of my complete and total strangers do, too. One of my best and oldest friends, Scott Thompson, has been pestering me for a couple of years now to keep a one, but I never thought I would. In fact, had Scott not just gone ahead and created one for me, I'd probably just spend this morning examining and then

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6008584.post-1067460813013372112003-10-29T15:53:00.000-05:002004-03-05T16:15:40.200-05:00

Leverett Butts This is the daily web log of Lev Butts. Lev is a writer that lived in Newnan, Georgia - Coweta County for a while and now he doesn't. Ok, Lev. Just post crap like above - only deeper - or not. Lev Butts Add Your Blog

Levhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217679661079412999noreply@blogger.com