If John Hodgman were an entry in one of his own Ben Franklinesque reference books, it might read like this: “An accumulation of Talents from space-time molded into one softly rounded Handsome Genius (see fig. 1), currently in possession of the Perfect Career. Roles for Moving Pictures include 1), code-bloated Handsome Personal Computer continually fake-shamed by He Who Shall Not Be Named Romantic Lead in Another Hollywood Film Ever, and 2), Masonic Eye-Being (based on Hisself) used to enliven daily news-dump programme featuring Leaders Republican stepping on rakes, getting dragged into tree shredders, and farting in crowded elevators. In between spoons of alcohol, Hodgman also serves as a writer on All Things, including Australia, Kitchen Plumbing, and Bloodletting. Also: Hilarious Speaker in Public Houses before Assembled Crowds.” That last one we can vouch for, having seen Hodgman on his last book tour. This time around, he holds forth in a much bigger venue, with Merlin Mann lobbing softball questions for the Genius to hit through the ceiling.
Sat., Nov. 7, 8 p.m., 2009
