With a big six months of blogging behind me, I'm in relative terms a real veteran at this stuff, but still, guesting Josh's site makes me feel like those kids in Hoosiers who are a bit in awe of their environs when they get to the State Finals. Adding to the intimidation is the ultimate Hard Act to Follow: previous guest-blogger Harry Shearer, one of my idols. I have long thought that every blogger should keep handy near the keyboard a copy of Derek Smalls' admonition to rock 'n' rollers in This is Spinal Tap: "There's a fine line between clever and stupid."

I'll get down to business shortly.