Six hours ago, I was so tired I couldn’t get to bed fast enough. Now I can’t sleep. … What I’m reading: Prayers for the Assassin, by Robert Ferrigno, a veteran crime novelist who is trying his hand at speculative fiction–in this case, a future that includes the Islamic States of America. Jay Nordlinger has written on “great first lines” in literature (see here, for example). I think Ferrigno has written a great first line (if you don’t include a short prologue): “The second half of the Super Bowl began right after midday prayers.” … Current favorite songs: “We Don’t Know Where We’re Going,” by Gomez; “Cold Chimes,” by Jay Farrar; “King of the Rodeo,” by Kings of Leon. … I’m an afficionado of cover songs, especially cover songs that are better than the original. The best I’ve heard lately is Calexico’s rendition of “Love Will Tear Us Apart Again.” … Best movie I’ve seen on DVD recently: Bruce Almighty. … A book that would make a great movie: Old House of Fear, by none other than Russell Kirk, the conservative intellectual who wrote a little fiction on the side. … UPS drivers are some of the friendliest, happiest people. … I’m less than crazy about the new NHL schedules that concentrate on these so-called inter-division rivalries, because in many cases they don’t exist and they can’t be created on paper in the front office. … If the USA hockey team can’t win the gold medal at the Winter Olympics, I hope Sweden wins because a bunch of Red Wings are playing for it.