Film Review

I'm terrible at writing reviews...of anything, so I'm going to keep this one brief. I just finished watching "Slumdog Millionaire"--I have been putting off doing so for quite some time now--and I have to say that it was an amazing film. How anyone could survive and ultimately thrive living a life such as that is beyond me. It just goes to show that I will never truly know what it feels like to struggle through anything major in life. We all struggle, yes, but not in any way similar to how Jamal Malik (the protagonist) struggled--or people that live in any impoverished nation or region. The soundtrack only further added to my enjoyment of the film. Check it out if you have not already done so.

Photo via Movieset.

Re: Same-Sex Marriage Coming To Washington State

During my walk today, I was thinking about something Washington state senator Ed Murray (D-43) said yesterday at the Prop 8 Decision Day rally in Westlake Park. That is, same-sex marriage will eventually come to be in Washington state, but we need to do our advocacy work outside of the Seattle area. We already have the majority vote in Seattle; but this is not only affecting the Seattle population and law. It affects the entirety of Washington state. What we need to do, as gay rights activists, as citizens, is to reach out to those who are as of yet undecided and uninformed about the positive aspects of legalizing same-sex marriages in our state.

If you have family or friends that live elsewhere in the state besides the greater Seattle region, please call them and tell them that you support the legalization of same-sex marriage. Tell them the reasons why they should too. We need all the support that we can get, and we need to garner that support before the anti-same-sex marriage advocacy groups can pollute their minds with extremely false and bigoted information on the matter. I'm sad to say that I unfortunately do not know anyone outside of the Seattle area. My family is a small one at that. But this is me calling on you, my hopefully loyal reader, to spread this information to as many people as you can, and soon.

Although there is no planned legislation for legalizing same-sex marriages any time soon, the sooner we get the support we need, the sooner it will become something more than a mere hopeful feeling. Let's get to work everyone!

Furthermore, if you are out and about, and someone asks you to sign a petition for a Referendum 71 to get on the ballot for this November's election, DO NOT SIGN IT. This referendum seeks to repeal the hardwork and dedication of Washington state lawmakers, as well as the further enhanced domestic partnership law that gives same-sex couples nearly every right and responsibility as those of heterosexual married couples. We CANNOT let this referendum of hate and bigotry get on the ballot. If there is any doubt, ask the person to explain to you what the referendum is for; read the actual text before you sign anything.

There is a Decline to Sign Referendum 71 Pledge form right here. I encourage you to sign it.

How Should I Get Home And Exercise At The Same Time?

It looks like I have a scenic six and a half mile walk ahead of me. I'll post pictures later. I'm looking forward to the walk across the Aurora bridge. Should be fun!

View Greenlake to First Hill Walk in a larger map

[Updated]: Now with pictures! I'm exhausted, and am in no mood to tell the entire story. I'll let the pictures do the talking. I'm only posting the few that I like. Also, I twittered the entire walk, but those 'tweets' are apparently not in existence on my page. WTF Twitter?

Book Review

I really need to stop reading FSG's twitter feed. Every time I do, I come across another book that I just have to read (and eventually own). Although, after finishing Stephen Amidon's "Security", I told myself that I really did not need to add it to my collection. It's a story of a quiet little town in Massachusetts, where crime is virtually non-existent. Except when, of course, a local female student is found with a broken arm and is claiming that the rich recluse in town attempted to rape her. The only problem is that her father is the town drunk, and has a documented history of criminal activity. It takes the courage and devotion of one man, Edward--who also happens to be the town's sole security proprietor--,to get the truth out of the people who know what actually happened.

I found the character and scene developments to be intricate at first read, but after delving into the plot, they seemed rather drawn out. It took roughly 161 pages of the 276 page book to introduce all the characters and their intertwined relationships. Eccentrics, divorced women with children, insomniacs, troubled students, and lecherous college professors--those are just some of the characters filling out this decent, but not great, story. It had a good storyline, and a mysterious plot to keep you interested, but the ending was a little over-the-top for my liking.

Book cover from Macmillan.

Decision Day Rally At Westlake Park

This was taken around 5:45pm. I'm sure there must have been a bigger crowd a little after that time. I stayed long enough to hear state Senator Ed Murray and state Representative Jamie Pedersen speak. There were two other women speakers whose, I'm sorry to say, names I did not hear or recognize.

Said To Me At Work Today

From a coworker:

"And that, in a nutshell, is how a pap smear feels."

The Future Of Same-Sex Marriages In California Has Been Announced

The California Supreme Court voted in a 6-1 ruling that Proposition 8 did not constitute a constitutional revision, and therefore, is legally valid. This means that same-sex marriage in California is, as of now, officially illegal. However, on a brighter note, the Court voted unanimously to not invalidate the 18,000 or so same-sex marriages performed prior to its November 4th passage. You can read the court's legal opinion here.

There will be a (now)-protest rally in Westlake Center at 5:30pm today. If you support the right for same-sex couples to marry, we hope to see you there.

The Future Of Same-Sex Marriages In California Will Be Announced...

...in one hour. This is what we've been waiting for since March 5th--which was 81 days ago. The court will make three rulings:

"The court issued an order to show cause in Strauss, Tyler, and City and County of San Francisco directing the parties to brief and argue the following issues:

1. Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutues a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution? (See Cal. Const., art. XVIII, §§ 1 -4.)
2. Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
3. If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

Though make no mistake, we will win this one way or another. If we lose our rights today, we will not give up. All it takes is time. The older generation of closed-minded bigots is dying off, and our generation is becoming more and more a part of the bigger picture. Same-sex marriage will come to California, and America. If not today, then soon, and with greater support than ever thought possible. "Hope will never be silent" - Harvey Milk.

My Three Hour Walk Around Seattle

I really only had one point of destination in mind for my walk tonight, but it turned out to be an almost entire walk around Seattle. I first got off work, waited for the bus--I had not realized that the buses were running on a holiday schedule; therefore I waited an additional 20 minutes for my bus to arrive--, then made a quick return at American Eagle on 6th and Pike, and thus began my three hour walk around Seattle. I took several pictures, and if you click on the ones below, you can see a larger version of each. Enjoy.

I walked down Pike until I got to the Market. I recall that their staircase led one down to the waterfront. Instead, I was the asshole who went downstairs, walked a ways, found the sign that said "Exit", and then promptly walked back up a different set of stairs, putting me back where I started. That is when I just went with the familiar; I know that Post Alley leads down to the waterfront, so I took that route. I walked along Alaskan Way all the way past the piers up past the Sculpture Park, and through Myrtle Edwards Park. It also looks as though Norway has declared war on Japan (according to the second photo I took). Norway clearly has Japan in a choke hold. I also paid sad tribute to the now defunct Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

In Myrtle Edwards Park, I saw some giant stones. That was cool, I guess. There was quite a bit of grass--a good place for several people to be napping. Then I came to the Rose Garden, where, sad to say, there weren't any roses. Perhaps it's too early for them? That was as far as I've gone previous to this occasion, so I decided to push onward. I discovered a fishing dock, along with a very appropriately named bait shop: The Happy Hooker. At this point I wasn't sure how much farther the path would take me, so I decided to find my way over to Elliot Avenue. I thought I might have a walk up to (lower) Queen Anne hill.

There was a pedestrian bridge that went over a bunch of trains. See the pictures. The bridge design was rather impressive. So I walked up to Queen Anne Avenue, and decided to stop in to Kidd Valley for some dinner. I stuffed my face with a double cheeseburger, fries, and diet coke. Oy. Then I walked down Queen Anne Avenue to find the most amazing minivan ever. See picture. This was followed by a building announcement of something we do not need. Yes, I believe we do not need another church. Then the Pacific Science Center's outer exterior told me that King County's carbon emissions since January 1st are estimated at 6,804,769 metric tons. Is that a lot? Any science nerds want to help me figure that one out?

Then I continued up Denny Avenue to 5th Avenue, and then proceeded south. I came across the Wexley School for Girls, where a friend of mine recently interned. Quick note: it's not a school for girls, or a school at all, for that matter. It's an advertising agency. They're strange, but fun. I eventually made my way down to Olive, and could have gone home, but I was compelled to keep the night going. So I walked up Olive to Broadway, then up Broadway to Roy, and back down to Vivace for an iced latte. After that I walked down Broadway, and through Cal Anderson Park. I finally made it home, feeling pretty good, about three and half hours after I got off the bus from work. What a walk!

[Update]: I've added a customized map of my impromptu walk. It was my first time using Google Maps' customized mapping feature, so it's not perfect, but close enough. The total walk was around eight miles.

View Seattle Walk in a larger map

The Fashion Police Are On Notice

There is a huge fashion faux pas that men in Seattle (and elsewhere) commit on warm and sunny days. That is, wearing long socks with shoes--or even worse, sandals--while wearing shorts as well. If you're legs are covered with pants, then we do not care. But please, for the sake of everyone, invest in some ankle-length socks. Your lower calf is not going to get cold and need warmth from your sock. Stop it. Just stop it. As of now, you're all officially on notice.

Thank you to my coworker for being a good sport and letting me take a photo of this atrocity. He is in the clear, seeing as how I had to have him hike up his jeans for me to prove my point. Regardless of that fact, these crimes of fashion must not stand. That is all.

Open Declaration To Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Even though I tend to avoid mean-spirited rants:

Shut up already! You had your chance to mold the American government into the mess that it is, and you did an outstanding job! But you're finished now. It's over. Accept it. Stop going on television and radio shows and flapping your lips. If you thought--or still think for that matter--that you could do a better job at being the President of the United States, then you should have ran for the presidency; but you didn't. It's time for you to just disappear quietly back into the general American public, such as your former boss did.

Said To Me At Work Today

From a coworker:

"My sixth-grade science teacher, Ms. Sanders, was hot. Much better than my homeroom teacher...whose name was Sorhide*. She was old Mrs. Sorhide."

*Pronounced 'sore-hide'.

Re: The Controversial Practice Of 'Outing'

Originally intended for publication on May 10th.

There is a new documentary being released by Magnolia Pictures called "Outrage". The film's official website provides the synopsis:

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) delivers a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. OUTRAGE boldly reveals the hidden lives of some of our nation’s most powerful policymakers, details the harm they've inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media's complicity in keeping their secrets.

And after viewing this news interview, I started debating what my views were on the issue of 'outing'. I'll admit, there was a point in my life where I considered outing a former friend of mine to his parents. Did I ultimately decide against do so? Yes. I am personally opposed to outing anyone, because I think that that is a personal experience that the individual needs to make by his or her own choosing. However, a line can be drawn, I believe, where outing someone is absolutely necessary. This is the subject of the documentary.

Let's look at it this way: a politician actively and aggressively pursues legislation that would discriminate against homosexuals. This can include any and every thing. Whilst at the same time, he is choosing to engage in homosexual acts. Should this politician still retain the right to privacy? In my own view, I think not. Your thoughts?

Oddest Thing Said To Me Today

From a friend:

"You're a manwhore, but you're smart."

I Know I'm A Smart Guy And Everything...

...but why do people--you know who you are--insist on calling me to find out things such as this:

"What's a 'Rusty Trombone'?"

I feel like a parent whose child just came home from school and wants to know what the other kids were talking about all day long. If you don't know what a 'Rusty Trombone' is, well then I suggest you click here for the answer. I will not stoop so low as to announce it here. Good day.

Oh, and apparently that now makes me an expert witness in an HR sexual harassment case. Details pending.

The Best Thing I've Read Today

From "Security" by Stephen Amidon:

"Taking shots at Mark was a waste of time. It was like firing a rifle at a slow-moving cloud. So easy to hit, yet it made no difference. It still floated away, right over the horizon."

It's Difficult To Say Without At Least Shedding A Tear, But...

...Happy Birthday Harvey Milk. We'll never forget you and what you did for all us.

Link via Towleroad.

California Supreme Court To Annouce Their Ruling On Prop 8 Tuesday at 10:00 AM

So I was informed this morning, via email update. And Slog. And Towleroad. And SF Chronicle.

"If The Predator Monster Promised He Wouldn't Kill The Other Players..."

A Question Concerning The 1995 Thriller "Crimson Tide"

I know that they are on the brink of nuclear war with Russia, but why is every crew member's face in a constant state of perspiration? They are all sweating profusely throughout the entire movie. Except for Denzel and Hackman--they keep their cool. Is there no ventilation on those submarines? Is the temperature kept at a moderate 85 degrees?

Furthermore, let me ask everyone what they would have done in that situation. That is, you've been ordered to fire nuclear missiles at Russia. Then you get attacked by a Russian submarine, but before your radio gets severed, you get a message regarding your orders; but you don't know what the message is, because it got cut off during the attack. Do you try and re-establish communications and find out what the message says, or do you go ahead with launching your nuclear missiles relying on your last confirmed orders?

It Was A Beautiful Night In Seattle

From my apartment on First Hill. Queen Anne Hill is in the background.

New Bloc Party Album

Bloc Party is back to their old tricks, and have released a new album--a remixed version of their Intimacy album. They did this very same thing with their first album, Silent Alarm (2005). I really only listened to the remixed versions of the songs I liked on Intimacy: "Signs", "Mercury", "You're Visits Are Getting Shorter", "Ares", and"Biko"; "Flux" was not remixed on the album. I generally liked the songs, but they weren't that great. I purchased "Mercury" and "Signs"; I'm especially in love with the latter, so any chance I get to experience it anew, I jump on it. "Signs" was remixed by Armand Van Helden, and he does a decent job with it. It is definitely now a club-hopping song. The original version was my quintessential winter-time theme song, reminiscent of the 2009 Washington Snowpocalypse. "Mercury" works better as a remix; it has a beat already to it, that allowed for Herve Is In Disarray to switch it up here and there. There's also a music video for the "Signs" remix, and I've added that below. If you've ever seen the music video for Nine Inch Nails' "Closer", you're about to see something very similar. It comes complete with human and stereo hybrids, and even a talking mouth where a vagina should be. That being said, the video is NSFW. Enjoy.

[Suggestion: just picture some half-nude gay boys dancing around to this song at the clubs...amazing].

Signs (Armand Van Helden remix) from Bloc Party on Vimeo.

Album photo via wikipedia.

Book Review

The main character, Gary Gray, is a young, black, obese, closeted-gay, evangelical Christian. The world has already fucked this guy six ways from Sunday. I think that is the beauty of the story; it's in the struggle. Gary wants to live a life for God, but he can't help but go around blowing nameless guys in parks and Waffle House bathrooms. Gary's story is one of how to be anything other than yourself, even before God, is to live a life of complete misery. He gets a wife and child, but never touches his wife, except when she is overly persuasive and pictures that he is being intimate with his old college roommate. That is part one.

Part two deals with Gary faking his death, by throwing his wallet into a burning train that he was on, and heading for the hills--he takes up the new identity of August Valentine. Eventually he lands himself in a relationship with a man in a manner consistent with how many gay men do--at a night club. They live a relatively happy life together, but it eventually fails on all accounts; especially when Gary's (August never had a wife) wife finds out that he is alive and well in another state. Thus begins part three, which happens to include the saddest moment of the story.

Gary promises to get "better" and so attends a pray-away-the-gay camp where hugs are held to a strict time-limit, and it is sanctioned to rat out anyone who shows signs of the dreadful homosexual lifestyle. This is just a thought, but perhaps placing "formerly gay" men into a group and telling them to stop being gay isn't going to help. It is only going to exacerbate the situation; such as Gary observing the physique of his new roommate, and ultimately making a move on the guy. The downside? This guy does not want to be "fixed". He leaves, and the people in charge order everyone to disown him and never think about him again. Well, that ultimately leads to the most depressing part of the story. Does Gary change his ways? Even I don't know.

As a gay man, I can appreciate this story in all its glory. Hannaham has painted a vivid picture of how miserable and frustrating being gay, and coming to terms with it, really is. But he also gives hope and promise. It all comes down to the individual and coming to terms with who he or she truly is, and living that life to its fullest.

Photo via McSweeney's.

Book Review

I just finished reading "How to Sell" by debut novelist Clancy Martin. I must say that it was quite the captivating read. Think of Denis Johnson's simple prose style of writing combined with the sex, drugs, and corruption of any Bret Easton Ellis or Jay McInerney character. The story is of two brothers who live to scam others out of their money in the jewelry business--not to be confused with the diamond business. The characters are terrible people committing seemingly harmless crimes--in the physical sense of the word. In one instance, a woman comes in to get her very expensive watch cleaned and adjusted. The watch is cleaned and adjusted, but then sold to another customer, that is waiting upstairs, to sweeten the deal. No worries though for the unsuspecting woman customer; they'll just give her a cheap mock-up in return and lead her to believe that she is actually coming out ahead on the deal.

There is some relief every now and then to remind that reader that these people are not completely heartless. A woman--they seem to be the most victimized in the jewelry trade--comes in and wants to sell an old ring handed down from her grandmother. She has her child with her, and she desperately needs at least a thousand dollars. Jim, Bobby's older brother, tells Bobby to offer her only $500 and that her grandmother must have lied to her about its worth. In actuality, it was worth upward of a couple thousand. Bobby could have listened to his brother, but instead he whispered to the woman to leave immediately and go to a different jeweler who would pay actual value for the ring. I felt a moment of relief at that point in the story; there weren't many.

Martin has an interesting background, nonetheless, for this kind of subject matter. Most of what he has written, he claims, is true. The kind of deception and criminality in the jewelry business is extremely prevalent. But he maintains that he is not Bobby Clark--the story's protagonist. An expose on Martin is available here, and it is quite an intriquing read. Here's an example:

In January, his wife found him in the closet with a bed sheet. He was trying to hang himself.

She saved him, quite literally, at which point he admitted to her — and to himself — that he had been secretly drinking and lying about it for three years.

He had become an alcoholic. Suicidal thoughts had been with him for years. He immediately vowed to stop drinking, and with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous has been clean for more than four months.

Some other information about Martin is that he is an associate professor of Philosophy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; he first tried LSD in the fourth grade; he's currently working on a translation of Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil. It's a very good read, and I would think twice about walking into a jewelry store from now on if I were you.

Photo via Macmillan.

Reports From My First Ever Slog Happy

Last Thursday night was Slog Happy, and I finally got the balls to just go it alone. I had a blast. Going to any social gathering alone automatically induces anxiety, but I decided to just suck it up. This time around it was at the Roanoke Tavern on 10th Avenue in Capitol Hill. I've never been there, but I may have to frequent it again. I spoke with quite a few people, both Stranger staffers and Slog commentators. I'm looking forward to the next Slog Happy. This is probably the most poorly written post on my blog. It's been a weird week. Don't judge me.

Overheard At Work Today

"I like fuzzy animals. That doesn't make me completely heartless, does it?"

Happy Syttende Mai!

Painting by Christian Krohg (1852 - 1925), "17th of May 1893", from here. History here.

What The Future (Possibly) Holds For Me

This morning I read a New York Times Health article detailing how hospitals nationwide treat same-sex couples; it was bittersweet. From the article:

The issue is addressed in a new report from The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights group, and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. The groups have created a Healthcare Equality Index for hospitals that focuses on five key areas: patient rights, visitation, decision-making, cultural competency training and employment policies and benefits.

While civil rights groups have made huge strides in the past few years--months, even--I am still utterly conflicted about what the article suggests for same-sex couples that want to not risk forfeiting certain hospital rights:

For couples who don’t have documentation or are worried that their relationship might not be recognized during a medical emergency, the solution often is to pretend to be a sibling in order to ensure access to a partner.

“If you’re on the road and have a crisis, the word on the street is just say, ‘This is my sister,’ or ‘This is my brother,’ ” Ms. Kahn said. “Most people won’t raise an eyebrow about it unless you look very different. It’s sad that we have to think about that. Am I going to be better off saying this is my sister or this is my life partner?”

I really hope that one day, and soon, that I will have all the same legal rights that my heterosexual friends, family, and coworkers already enjoy.

I'm On Slog!!!

I went to Slog Happy last night (posting regarding that is forthcoming), and they posted photos this afternoon of the event. I'm in two of the thirteen pictures [#1 and #9]. Check it out here.

Overheard At The Office Today

"I got hiking boots. They're great. I'm going to go hiking...with my boots...on my feet. I put them on and tied them up for the first time yesterday. It was awesome."

Some Thoughts From The Road

The other day I left work and walked to the bus-stop. This requires me to walk through a parking lot, of which contained a Hummer. The driver was, of course, a typical rich-bitch mom. Well, that was the impression that I got from her anyways. And I also think that anyone who finds it necessary to drive around in a Hummer (in suburbia) is a complete idiot.

Well, as I was walking through the parking lot today I saw yet another symbol of the typical American idiocy: a black Chevrolet Suburban with much-larger-than-standard tires. I'm presuming that it was the dad sticking out of the rear passenger door attempting to fix--or whatever--the built-in LCD screen for his strapped in infant. I watched, with spite, as this guy pulled out of the parking lot in his nothing-short-of-ridiculous Army tank of a vehicle.

I'm sure you're wondering what the point of all of this ranting is, and that's good. I'm concerned about the state of American greed. How much is too much? What's the point of it all? Questions like these are ones that encourage me to engage in lively debates with other people. Well, shall we debate this issue?

If you've read this far, I'd like to hear your thoughts, big or small, on how American greed is out of control. I will post more of my thoughts later, when I am at an actual computer and not spitting this all out from my phone.

I Think Taco Bell Might Be A Potential Sponsor

Via Sullivan.

Happy Mother's Day

The New Face Of Lacking Creativity

How does everyone like the new design of Lacking Creativity? Much appreciation to Blogazar for creating and designing the new banner. I'm still working out the kinks, but it looks as if this design is here to stay for a while. Enjoy.

Book Review

"On November 11 Lowboy ran to catch a train...On November 12 [omitted to prevent spoiler]." Thus are the opening and closing sentences of John Wray's new novel, "Lowboy". I came across this novel whilst perusing the Macmillan (MPS) website several weeks ago. Apparently it has been receiving rave reviews. So I managed to snag myself a copy. This past week I decided to actually sit down and get through it. If I had to grade it, it earned a 'B' in my book. The story is about a 16-year old paranoid schizophrenic and his misadventures in and around the New York City subway system. Apparently the world is going to end, and only he can save it from total destruction. Along with Lowboy's extremely unreliable story telling, we are given the somewhat more reliable story of how his mother and a detective track him down.

At times absurd and mysterious, Lowboy is a novel about human relationships and how a mental disorder can make, break, and distort those very relationships. While considered literary fiction, the book has tendencies to make you think that you are reading a science fiction novel. That is part of its thrill. The reader is given many clues as to what is actually going on, but there are several things that remain unanswered at its end, including the end itself. What happened in Richard's basement (exactly)? How is it that it ended that way? Was Lowboy right all along and we were the crazy ones? Well, I guess those are answers that can be left up to the imagination of all those who partake in Lowboy and his quest for global salvation. Here is a promotional video of John Wray reading the first page or so on the L train:

Photo from http://us.macmillan.com/lowboy.

Two Car Accident On 5th and Spring

I was lucky enough to catch the Metro 2 across 3rd Avenue and up Spring Street, but when the bus got to 5th Avenue, we came to a halting stop. We could only see that there was an ambulance and several police cars with their lights flashing in the intersection. I figured we might be waiting a while, so I got off and walked the rest of the way home. I took this photo around 11:30pm on Thursday night.

The car (center) had most of its front end smashed in, and the other car (center-left) appeared to have plowed into the telephone poles on the southeast corner. I really cannot envision how this accident played out. Everyone appeared to be in stable condition. I noticed an officer wrapping a brace around a woman's neck. This was the exciting news story of my night.

Instant Message Of The Day

It's a tie between:

Friend A: Im just so upset right now!
Me: about?
Friend A: Freakin Kris is still on American Idol and Allison got sent home!!

And:

Friend B: wow, its beautiful
Friend B: your blog should be called leaking creativity!!!

Death Cab For Cutie Music Video: "Grapevine Fires"

This song (not the video) reminds me of all the coffee and cigarettes I had during those warm summer nights last year. Also, the band makes a cameo at 1:12.

[Updated Thoughts]: I watched the video again, and I must say that although it is depressing, it is a very beautiful video (especially at 3:29). It made me think about how life is so fragile. We think we have everything, and in the blink of an eye it can all be taken away from us. If you only had a matter of minutes to take what you wanted from your home before it all burned, what would you take? What matters the most in our lives when we are hard-pressed? We really do not know until that time comes; I think we are content to not know, if that means that we can avoid tragedies and disasters.

Text Message Of The Day

From a friend:

"FWD: (my) Life is just so fucking amazing. Whatever I did to turn it around, I'm glad I did. (your words only months ago.)"

Yes, I did indeed send him that message.

This Is What It Sounds Like When Doves Cry

I purchased the original iPhone in December of 2007, and it has been good to me thus far. I have really pushed it to its limits, but apparently a less-than-two-foot drop onto concrete is its ultimate kryptonite. As I was about to leave work last week, I accidentally dropped it, and the screen cracked (as you can see). I did what any normal person would do: I grabbed some Scotch tape and saved it. I also dropped it, whilst longboarding, on Alki a few days later. I think its days are significantly numbered and I am going to be shit-out-of-luck when that time comes. To add insult to injury, my iBook (which synced with my iPhone) died about a year ago. All the music I have on my phone will be lost forever when the phone finally dies. Such is life...in the age of technology.

My New And Improved Personal Library

I think I have mentioned this previously, but due to the economic downturn--and because I opt to be terrible with my spending habits--I had to purge my personal library (twice) to get some cash when I needed (read wanted) it. I have been slowly rebuilding it--with hardcovers primarily--and I am doing rather well thus far. Take a look (Click Image For Larger View).

Roll call...

First Row: "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "2666" by Roberto Bolaño, "Tree of Smoke" by Denis Johnson, "Beautiful Children" by Charles Bock, "Sea of Poppies" by Amitav Ghosh, "Plato Collected Dialogues" (edited) by Edith Hamilton, "Glamorama" by Bret Easton Ellis, "Underworld" by Don DeLillo, "Against the Day" by Thomas Pynchon, "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand, "How It Ended" by Jay McInerney, "Lowboy" by John Wray, "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco, "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The Boat" by Nam Le, "Philosophical Investigations" by Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Second Row: "The Pets" by Bragi Ólafsson, "Snuff" by Chuck Palahniuk, "How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone" by Saša Stanišic, "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller, "Animal Farm" & "1984" by George Orwell, "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway, "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway, "For Whom The Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway, "The English Philosophers: From Bacon to Mill" (edited) by Edwin A. Burtt, "Shadow Country" by Peter Matthiessen, "The Boat" (signed and personalized galley copy) by Nam Le, "Gravity's Rainbow" by Thomas Pynchon, "The City and the Pillar" by Gore Vidal, "Then We Came To The End" (signed and personalized galley copy) by Joshua Ferris, "The Savage Detectives" by Roberto Bolaño, "2666" (still bound three-paperbacks in a slipcase) by Roberto Bolaño, "The Rebel" by Albert Camus, "For Whom The Bell Tolls" (personally annotated paperback) by Ernest Hemingway, "The Correction" by Thomas Bernhard.

Third Row: "Plato's Sophist" by Martin Heidegger, "Anarchy, State, and Utopia" by Robert Nozick, "The Wittgenstein Reader" (edited) by Anthony Kenny, "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, "Less Than Zero" by Bret Easton Ellis, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey, "The New York Trilogy" by Paul Auster, "Metamorphosis and other stories" by Franz Kafka, "Silas Marner" by George Eliot, "Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA" by Tim Weiner, "Invisible Monsters" by Chuck Palahniuk, "The Stranger" by Albert Camus, "A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962" by Alistair Horne, "Out of my Skin" by John Haskell, "The Gay Science" by Friedrich Nietzsche. [Free Galley Copies: "The Lie" by Chad Kultgen, "In-N-Out Burger" by Stacy Perman, "Cutting For Stone" by Abraham Verghese, "Stone's Fall" by Iain Pears].

Four Row: [Books On Loan From Work: "Going To Extremes: How Like Minds United and Divide" by Cass R. Sunstein, "God Says No" by James Hannaham, "Yoga for Everyone" by Judy Smith, et al..

I can only hope I continue to find some worth-owning harcovers. Book Karma, keep them coming!