"At the sound of the falling tree, it's 9:30."

I guess the Washington Post reporters aren't the only ones who are looking for something different this week. Here's a little missive I just fired out:

Scott Simon
Weekend Edition, Saturday
National Public Radio
Washington DC

Dear Scott:

I'm not usually one to let facts get in the way of a good metaphor, but I have to raise a quibble related to Neda Ulaby's story last week about re-examining the American suburbs as a symbol of dull conformity covering a spiritual decay. In the report, we heard from a University of Michigan professor of history who begins his class on "History of American Suburbia" by showing the opening minutes of David Lynch's "Blue Velvet."

Alas, the story in "Blue Velvet" is set in the fictional logging town of Lumberton, a setting about as removed from suburban life (good or bad) as was the mythical town of Twin Peaks, where Lynch explored some of the same themes four years later in the cult television series. ("Blue Velvet" was filmed in Wilimington, North Carolina.) Lynch's Lumbertown is a an old town, with old houses and old trees in the front yards. It does have a "50's feel," and plenty of darkness lurking just under the wholesome exterior--as the historian notes--but a suburb, it ain't.

Sincerely,
etc

This is the second draft of this letter. The first draft really went for its Woody Allen moment with a lot of gusto. But I figured no one connected with the story really had that kind of behavior coming to them, so I dialed it back.