First off, Scott Garson and Chad Simpson have compiled a list of their favorite online flashes of 2007 over at Wigleaf. It's an incredible list, with lots of my own favorites from the past year there as well. It should keep you pleasurably busy for a few hours.

Also, TJ Forrester has started a project called Five Star Literary Stories, in which he asks editors of online lit mags for some of their favorites and then has reviewers check 'em out, too. A great idea, and lots of great stories have been highlighted.

As far as events go, there are a few beauties coming up here in Seattle:

Tamara Kaye Sellman let me know over on Facebook that she's going to be one of the teachers for Hugo House's Write-O-Rama. This looks fantastic: Richard Hugo House presents Write-O-Rama, an eight-hour extravaganza of mini-writing workshops, on Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. To attend, participants must raise at least $45 in pledges and come ready to write. Prizes are awarded for the highest fund-raisers. More information at www.hugohouse.org/giving/writeorama or (206) 322-7030.

Also on Facebook, Matt Briggs posted about an event happening this weekend: Lauren Hoffman will be reading about a dark and funny story about two people failing to do stuff together. Matt Briggs will read assorted stories described as "Ick Lit," by a reader who had only only two comments. 1) Ewww. and 2) Ick Lit. The two readers will read for a while and then Troubletown will play. And then The Dutchess and the Duke will also play. These things will occur at the McLeod residency which offers a number of accommodations such as a functioning bar and a camera TV hooked up to Flickr. Starts Friday night at 9:00, goes late. The McLeod Residency is at 2209 Second Ave. No cover, baby!

And 826 Seattle has a couple readings coming up:

On Saturday, June 7 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at 826 Seattle, we are celebrating the publication of our third anthology of student-produced comics, Happiness?  The anthology is the result of two six-week-long comic-book-making workshops, taught by local comics artists David Lasky and Jessixa Bagley. Highlights of the party will include cupcakes and milk in fancy glasses; a toast in celebration of really good writing and illustration; and an opportunity to purchase Happiness? and have it signed by the students.

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On Thursday, June 12 from 1:00-3:00 PM, please join us to celebrate the second publication to come out of our Hamilton International Middle School partnership. As far as helping hands are concerned, we need cleaners, cupcake and milk servers and interior designers (aka, some people who can liven up a dreary school auditorium). Hamilton is located in Wallingford at  1610 N. 41st St. — let us know if you can help and we hope to see you there.

So there ya have it: some online reading to liven up your day, and a few events to get you away from the monitor. Go!