CRAIG CONLEY (Prof. Oddfellow) is recognized by Encarta as “America’s most creative and diligent scholar of letters, words and punctuation.” He has been called a “language fanatic” by Page Six gossip columnist Cindy Adams, a “cult hero” by Publisher’s Weekly, a “monk for the modern age” by George Parker, and “a true Renaissance man of the modern era, diving headfirst into comprehensive, open-minded study of realms obscured or merely obscure” by Clint Marsh. An eccentric scholar, Conley’s ideas are often decades ahead of their time. He invented the concept of the “virtual pet” in 1980, fifteen years before the debut of the popular “Tamagotchi” in Japan. His virtual pet, actually a rare flower, still thrives and has reached an incomprehensible size. Conley’s website is OneLetterWords.com.
There is only one thing to do. The veil must be lifted. The unknown designer, the unknown craftsman must be brought out into the light, recognized as any other artist is recognized, and given the privilege to affix his signature or other identifying mark to any worthy work or design, or to any direct result of his design, the product in turn to be valued as much for its artistry as its more material qualities. ... Give the designer his due, and artist, manufacturer, dealer, public, country all will be the richer. Anonymity represses. Nothing grows without light. Let us have all the light we can get. —Arts & Decoration Magazine, 1921
We spotted in the front window of Quimby's NYC none other than our How to Be Your Own Cat, featuring a preface by the acclaimed poet and novelist Gary Barwin. Reader Adam says: "I love this book and am thrilled that it is exactly what I thought it would be. A well thought out slice of human behaviour disguised as a humorous picture of the feline mind. I for one was thrilled to find out I didn't really need the education because I am already my own cat. Although I haven't listened to the floor in a while. I really must take that back up... It really is a great little psychology book for people who still use their brain cells to think. And satire has always been, in my opinion, one of the greatest teaching tools. Entertain people and they don't even realise they are actually learning something."
To publicize my YouTube channel, I'm giving away 777 copies of my PDF e-books. (Live large!) New or existing subscribers to my Youtube channel may message me with the top 3 books titles they're most interested in, and I'll write back with a private link to one of those titles that's still up for grabs. Available titles are listed on my Amazon page as well as on my two websites: oddities for word lovers are at OneLetterWords.com, and esoteric/spooky titles are at MysteryArts.com. Just let me know what your YouTube handle is, so I can verify your subscription, and your top 3 preferences from among my hundreds of publications.
"I cannot imagine a more striking example of how the human animal can cope. In response to a destructive event, these animals create an expression that is uniquely original in style and content, moving, funny and thoughtful. May we all try to do the same when life offers us the opportunity."
Responding to our proof that all mirrors are magic mirrors, that reflections are real, and that we can literally drink the moon and the knowledge of the moon from a liquid mirror, George writes:
F-----------ck….that’s genius!
What a trip!!! In act one I couldn’t keep my eyes off of your glistening glasses but also not off of the marvellous multi-colored moon. Switching between the two gave me an instant high.
Act two brought a big smile on my face. The moon appearing, vibrating on the rhythm of your words, then disappearing again was a nice three act play all within itself.
“Lighting a candle never hurts” was put into practice when you helped me get to the end by leaving me in the worldly dark after lightning a fire within.
Truly beautiful! Can’t wipe the smile off of my face.
These are the best New Year's resolutions we've ever encountered, explaining why one shouldn't get up early, should spend more money on oneself, should drink more, should live beyond one's means, should gamble, and should look out for No. 1. From The Idler, 1894.
