Mt. FUN!

Its Mt. Baldy and the bugs came out to play. This tuesday we a couple friends an I went to hike in the wilderness that is the Angeles National Forest. I was expecting fresh air, which we got. Big trees, check. And a whole lot of bugs, which I wasn't expecting. The flys were abnormally ginormous. Each one would land on you and begin to make you the host of their ever expanding family. The red marks on me are proof of the attack I barely survived. I used to think that I was a wilderness person. I cherished the fact that as a city boy, I would appreciate the expansive forest. But much to my chagrin, or distaste for the insect kingdom, I am not in fact a wilderness boy. I am through and through a dweller of suburbia. Its not a big surprise I suppose. I was raised in the city. So it comes down to having to choose a life of modern comforts, or a life of tranquil peace with great weather and beautiful sunsets, melded with horrifying insects and grotesque bug bites. I think I choose the former. A city boy. Doesn't sound so bad, does it?

I'll always have money for books

It has come to my attention recently that when I am a starving writer in some crack of a den, I will always spend my money on books instead of food. It sounds idiotic, in fact it sounds downright stupid. But I would rather read than eat. God knows my body will benefit from such practices. Honestly though, I love to read and when ever I have some extra cash or a full check to cash I will immediately head towards the nearest bookseller establishment.
For example today, I could have saved my two or three shekels for a later day, but instead the minute I saw that "Of Mice And Men" was on sale for 2 dollars I had to have it.
On the same spree I bought "Nausea" by Jean Paul Sartre and "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller.
Really, I only do it to build my collection. I want to amass a library comparable to that of the one Congress posesses. Impossible, I know. Yet a boy could dream.
When I read I delve into other worlds where my problems don't seem so large and daunting. Life after books just seems so much easier. One would say then, why read about such depression and sadness and such overwhelming adversity. Why? Because, thats why. The words fill me and wrap me tight making me feel protected. I love the smell of an old book, especially when its yellowed and falling apart. Imagine what its been through. Its witnessed first hand the lives of other owners who explored its pages. Its seen the tears fall from many eyes and heard the roaring laughter from many voices. I love knowing that there is something so old and yet willing to teach me something new when ever I feel like it.
Books.

PS: A shout out must be given to the people at the Prison Library Project in Claremont, CA. That is where I purchased my novels today. Thanks, I hope my donations help the indigent inmates of Chino State Prison!

Book Review

This past week i've been reading "Possible Side Effects" by Augusten Burroughs, who also wrote "Running With Scissors". This is another collection of essays mostly consisting of recaps of his childhood and some recent events after his success with the film. The book was very funny to say the least. He is a very witty writer with clever insights into the human condition. When he writes about his mother, you can feel the pain. Yet, you are laughing your ass off the whole time.

There is a scene near the end of the book where he writes about finding out that there is no Santa Clause. But only because his mother has to yank him off of an asian man who he thinks is Santa. In fact he believes that all mythical creatures are asain. Why? Well, I won't give that part away, you'll have to read that for yourself.

And if you like this one, you will do well in picking up the rest of his novels. But start off with this one. Its a hoot and a half!

Daliy Soup

Now for another installment of the Daily Soup:

This time we're going to look at one of my favorite websites. RCRDLBL is a music site for independent artists that want to get their music out there but can't because lack of money, distributors, or the biggest reason: no record company. Its a blog of sorts, but one that lets you download music free and most importantly LEGALLY. That was one of the big sellers for me. Its one of the websites I frequent most and often. The music is an eclectic mix of electronica, rock, pop, indy, dance, and hip-hop.
Note:for DJ's they often hold remix contests for up and coming DJ's. The music is free and legal to remix, in fact they want to hear it. Check them out, and download!


Here are a few samples from their collection:

Check some of these artists out and if you like them, go ahead and download it. Its free people!

Book Sites

Its hard finding a good book to read nowadays. For one thing, I am a very picky reader. I only like reading certain types of books by certain authors. However there is always the exception to the rule. The classics for example. At Barnes and Nobel there is an entire section dedicated to the books that we grew up with. Lining the walls are such authors as Charles Dickens, Shakespear, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jack London, Niccolo Machiavelli, W.e.b DuBois, and many many more.
Many contemporary authors share the spotlight with the classics. And they are Joyce Carroll Oats, David Sedaris, Augusten Burroughs, Mark Haddon, C.D. Payne, John Steinbeck, J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Dan Brown, Ayn Rand, and many more that I can't list because it will take up this whole blog.
For me, what catches eye most is a good cover. That is a must. I know the saying, "never judge a book by its cover". But as a typical consumer colorful things always catch my eye. For example, I read catch 22 because of the blue cover and white letters, thats it. Well to be honest, someone had recommended it to me. And It turned out to be a funny read.

As a rule, I always carry a book with me now. I hate to be caught with nothing to do, hence the book. If there is ever a moment where I have absolutely nothing to do, I read. Not to say that I do it because its a chore, no. I love to read. And I feel as though reading has become a lost art. People are such visual creatures that they cannot stand to stare at something for too long. The brain needs stimulation. As a result, reading has gone by the wayside. TV now rules. A sad fact.
Nevertheless, finding good books is hard. Especially one that you might be interested in. So here are some good places to look. Online and in store.

www.bn.com (Barnes and Nobel Online site. It carries a wide range of books, not many rare titles)
www.powells.com (Used, new and out of prints books, just like the homepage says)
www.baumanrarebooks.com (more rare books)
www.borders.com (sign up and get lots of coupons)
www.bookfinder.com (finds books for you, what can be better?)
www.octavo.com (something a little different, rare digital books)


Check them out and type in the category, author, or genre that you are interested in and who knows, you might find a book you love.

Pregaming is it?

no corrections, no filter, just me.


Sitting here listening to this song by mgmt, electric feel, its quite a catchy song. I must have heard it ages ago, but it slipped my mind. The song also has attached to it some great memories of this past year, (wait the song changed and i need it to write this). Anyway, this year so far has been an experience of a life time. In January I began to go to these parties, I knew only one person at first, my friend. It was intimidating at first to say the least. Not knowing anyone is a scary experience when at a party. For some people its the best thing ever. Well, not for me. I used to be petrified to go to parties on my own. I would have rather shot vinegar up my wrist than party alone. That was until I actually saw, with sober eyes what actually goes on at parties. People get there, round 11, at the earliest. Some are already half drunk, from what according to certain sources which shall remained unnamed is: pregaming. Pregaming is the act of drinking your booze of choice in your car before you actually arrive to the party. Its akin to having a drug addict t.v. host taking a hit of cocaine before the live broadcast. Its only to loosen you up. Simple I suppose. Not for me. I'm a paranoid specimen, and I like to drink socially, or else it seems weird, and I feel as though the next thing I should do is sign up for a AA meeting. "Hi, my name is mo. I pregamed in the car, by myself, I'm a loser I know! Oh my god where have I gone wrong!", is something along the lines of what I would say. Nevertheless, I tend to get pretty olbliterated at partys that pregaming at least for me, its rather unnecessary. I guess its just weird old me.

Muzack

This new track from Daniel Merriwether is poised to be quite the chart topper. Its funky, fresh, and just new! Check it out.