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	Vol.7, No 72, February 15, 2000
	Writer leaves audience rolling with laughter By Christina L. Esparza Daily Forty-Niner Giggles, chuckles and belly laughs filled the Faculty Development Center Thursday night as short story writer, Thom Jones, read from his new collection, "Sonny Liston was a Friend of Mine." "This is for my homies back in Attica," Jones said before reading "Mouses," a story about a "Five foot nothing," engineer with a hump on his back and an obsession with mice. Jones, whose previous works include "The Pugilist at Rest" and "Cold Snap," is a revolutionary short story writer, said Stephen Cooper, an associate professor in English and film. Jones is "one of the premier short story writers of our time," Cooper said to the audience of about 100. His stories make "your head feel like it's coming off." Like an actor from a script, Jones read his story with strong emotion, complete with extreme facial expressions, wild arm gestures and sudden, loud shouts of anguish. "It was wonderful," said graduate student, Silver Damsen.  "Not only was the quality of the story good, he's also a consonant performer." The story about meeting boxing legend, Sonny Liston, is true, he said. During his own days as a boxer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Jones would watch Liston train and was amazed by his speed. "He was the fastest heavyweight I've ever seen in my life," Jones said. After Liston stepped out of the ring, he had a handler give Jones an 8x10 glossy photo, signed "To the Kid, from your friend, Sonny Liston." Jones suffered an injury while boxing that developed into epilepsy. He left the sport for the University of Hawaii where he discovered his passion for writing. Although the writer does not follow boxing too much any more, however he still has some boxing ties. "Tyson read one of my stories in jail," Jones said.  "And I got into a screaming match with Don King." Jones also told the audience other stories that motivated him to write.  He wrote "Fields of Purple Forever," after hearing Vietnam veterans talk of seeing purple fields while fighting.  He also wrote "The Pugilist at Rest," for his best friend in Vietnam. "There's something about war," he said.  "We keep having them." Jones' candidness punctuated the evening leaving many in the audience impressed. "It was interesting," said English professor, Rafael Zepeda.  "He talks specifically on how he came about his stories.  He wouldn't hold anything back." "I mainly came because my professor said this writer, at this time, is revolutionizing the short story," said senior Mario Rosado.  "The short story is evolving, and he's adding a prominent element."		Sandler film no parking problem   Writer leaves audience rolling with laughter   Conference encourages students   More books available   Workshop saves time for students Tighten the Net   How much does a wife cost?   LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Student dances into show business   Suicide Machines rock fans at the Roxy   Great music saves Yahoo! Tour Gauchos cool 49ers   NBA's most eccentric player returns   Dirtbags not soiled Spring 2000 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
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