That library in SoCal offered the job to someone else without giving me the promised phone interview--the final example of an interview process that was poorly organized from start to finish. They arranged everything, seemingly, with the sole purpose of saving themselves effort and expense. I wouldn't be surprised if they had already picked their hire and were just going through the motions of a job search. Anyway, it's disappointing to be stuck here for the time being, but I console myself that at least I won't be shelling out $1,000 a month for rent, spending an hour or more a day commuting, etc. So I need to figure out how to be content here--home theater system, maybe?

Anyone want to go to Santa Fe on Sept. 16? I have the university's cabin reserved that weekend.

Latest movie: The Leopard. When I saw this in the new release section at Hastings I knew I had to see it eventually, given its mention in the most brilliant half-hour of television ever. The film is kind of an Italian Brideshead Revisited, i.e. a lament for a fading Catholic aristocracy being supplanted by the vulgar, power-grubbing middle class. Waugh is more romantic though; the dominant tone in Visconti is stoic resignation. Beautiful painterly shots make up for the deliberate pace. Babe factor: Claudia Cardinale, whom I ogled recently in 8 1/2 and The Pink Panther.

I was surprised to see the latest Cédric Kahn at our Blockbuster; I was even more surprised that it was checked out. I wonder how I might meet this dusty little town's resident French art film connoisseur?