The Long and Short of Roy Blount Jr.

If you happened to pick up Roy Blount Jr.'s linguistics book, Alphabet Juice, you've surely recognized, as our reviewer did back in November, that he's "an unimpeachable digresser." And if you've ever listened to him on NPR's weekly call-in quiz show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, you already know he's a quick, dry wit, able to perform brilliantly in punchline.

Today and tomorrow, you've got a chance to see both facets of Blount Jr. – the long and short of him, so to speak. Tonight's Writers League of Texas benefit, An Evening with Roy Blount Jr., on the St. Edward's campus, promises hors d'oeuvres and dessert with wine and an audience with Roy. Go here for ticket information – and move fast: The event starts at 7pm. And tomorrow, he'll be on hand for a local taping of Wait Wait at Bass Concert Hall, alongside fellow panelists Kyrie O'Connor and Charles P. Pierce. The taping's already sold out, but you can hear the Austin episode on May 30 on KUT 90.5 at 10am.