:(

As I'm sure everyone will be saying, so it goes.

I bought a copy of Slaughterhouse Five for Paulo a couple weeks ago. I said Kurt Vonnegut is one of the greatest living Americans. I meant it. He's part of my culture that I've been incredibly proud to share. When I said it, I knew it wouldn't be true for much longer. Now I guess I can say he was one of the greatest Americans who has ever lived. It's not quite the same, but I do feel pretty cool to have lived some of the same years he did.

I cried for about a day when Douglas Adams died. I am only sniffling a little now, but it's a bigger loss, I think. I'm going to buy Claus a copy of Breakfast of Champions, and even if he doesn't understand America better after reading it, I know he'll understand me. Kurt Vonnegut profoundly influenced who I am and how I think about the world. I'll miss him.