I finished Absurdistan. I mentioned before that it seemed to combine elements of Pynchon and Adiga, but it also had very strong currents of Junot Diaz, although more satirical. The main character really had very few redeeming qualities, but he was still likable. I enjoy over the top political satire, and books heavy on forgeign culture, so Absurdistan was right up my alley. I may have to check out Shteyngart's other books.
Today I started "Gentlemen Of The Road," after which I will have no more Michael Chabon left to read (except for any uncollected essays, the exceprt of "Fountain City" included McSweeney's #36, and hopefully soon his next novel.) I didn't realize that this book is so similar to "The Final Solution," where Chabon mimicked the style Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This time around, he seems to be channeling Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and Fritz Leiber.
Recent beer has included another bottle of Left Hand Warrior IPA. I cannot stress enough how much I love wet hop ales. They may not have quite the strength of hops as many IPAs, but the range of dimension in the hop profile is so much fuller. When the hops are dried for storage, you just lose so many aspects of the flavor. Someday I may have to get an entire refrigerator dedicated just to Fresh Hop beer, since it can only be brewed for a couple weeks during the fall hop harvest.
I am now re-watching Shaun Of The Dead. This is only the second time I've seen it, and I am once again struck by how well it is made. That tracking shot where Shaun walks from his flat to the cornershop is far more beautiful than it has any need to be. I didn't realize until just now that the same director, Edgar Wright, did the Scott Pilgrim movie. I'll have to make sure to watch that just for the craftsmanship, and I guess I need to finally see Hot Fuzz as well.
In a way, it reminds me of John Cameron Mitchell. Both directors have such incredible technical skill, attention to detail, and visual flair, and while I enjoy movies featuring zombies and swingers, I'd love to see them make films with fewer distractions. I hate to use the phrase "a more serious film" but I feel like many people would discount their work's seriousness out of hand because of what they perceive as gimmicks.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Introduction
Mostly I'm starting this blog because I'd like to keep better track of what I read and what I drink. I'd like to include other forms of art, but those will be it for the start. I've had blogs before where I tried to keep track of what music I listen to, and back then, I listened to a LOT of music. Now I feel like I barely listen to anything. Maybe that will change.
I also hope to make this a space to toss off some general exercises in writing. I don't expect anyone to actually read this, so it will take the pressure off. This blog is not for public attention. But, it may serve a a place to store things I will later try to expose to a wider audience.
Recent Reading
I started off 2011 by finishing up "Manhood For Amateurs" by Michael Chabon.
Since then, I've plowed through the first four volumes in the Harry Potter series.
I just just started "Absurdistan" by Gary Shteyngart. Harry Potter has been fun, but this is more my speed. Reminds me of Pynchon and Avarind Adiga's "White Tiger"
Recent Drinking
Took a trip to Atlanta last week, so I picked up six packs of Founders Red Rye PA and Bridgeport Hop Czar IPA. The Hop Czar is labeled as Imperial, but the alcohol is only 7.5% so I consider it a regular IPA. The Red Rye is very bitter, but not so much of the full hop flavor. Still, the rye flavor is nice.
While in Atlanta, I stuck to beers on tap. I tried some Southern Tier 2x IPA (it was OK), a couple of New Belgium beers (they were also OK) and a Decatur, Georgia microbrewery Wild Heaven Ode To Mercy Special Winter Ale. This was their bourbon barrel aged version of their regular Imperial Brown Ale. All the things I usually love about barrel aged beer, and nice malty drinkability.
I haven't cracked open any of the bombers I got up there, but I did drink a half liter (my favorite size bottle) of North Coast Old Stock Reserve. Brewed in 2009, and then aged in bourbon barrels. Strong, complex. I love barleywines, but there's a reason I rarely drink them.
I also hope to make this a space to toss off some general exercises in writing. I don't expect anyone to actually read this, so it will take the pressure off. This blog is not for public attention. But, it may serve a a place to store things I will later try to expose to a wider audience.
Recent Reading
I started off 2011 by finishing up "Manhood For Amateurs" by Michael Chabon.
Since then, I've plowed through the first four volumes in the Harry Potter series.
I just just started "Absurdistan" by Gary Shteyngart. Harry Potter has been fun, but this is more my speed. Reminds me of Pynchon and Avarind Adiga's "White Tiger"
Recent Drinking
Took a trip to Atlanta last week, so I picked up six packs of Founders Red Rye PA and Bridgeport Hop Czar IPA. The Hop Czar is labeled as Imperial, but the alcohol is only 7.5% so I consider it a regular IPA. The Red Rye is very bitter, but not so much of the full hop flavor. Still, the rye flavor is nice.
While in Atlanta, I stuck to beers on tap. I tried some Southern Tier 2x IPA (it was OK), a couple of New Belgium beers (they were also OK) and a Decatur, Georgia microbrewery Wild Heaven Ode To Mercy Special Winter Ale. This was their bourbon barrel aged version of their regular Imperial Brown Ale. All the things I usually love about barrel aged beer, and nice malty drinkability.
I haven't cracked open any of the bombers I got up there, but I did drink a half liter (my favorite size bottle) of North Coast Old Stock Reserve. Brewed in 2009, and then aged in bourbon barrels. Strong, complex. I love barleywines, but there's a reason I rarely drink them.
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