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OTDOD - 1-6-9 Interesting Reading Edition

Tiny by Faux on Comment 948 comments

With the coming of spring (actually the accumulation of too much shit), I've been bit by the cleaning bug. After 500$ made on Craigslist, and half a closet and a good chunk of the garage now clear to fill with more junk, I've turned my attention to the numerous bookshelves in my apartment with an eye on clearing them out to give myself a chance to use my Amazon gift cards to the fullest.

What does this mean for LL? An old-fashioned book discussion, of course. I'm going to use this opportunity to tell you about some of my most read items, list a few books I'm looking forward to reading, and I invite all of you to do the same.

Books I've read repeatedly, and urge you to as well:
1421-The Year China Discovered America
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Capitalism 3.0
Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776
I won't bore you with my many Fantasy/SciFi recommendations.

Books I'm looking forward to reading:
1434 (Followup to 1421)
Wikinomics
The Wisdom of Crowds
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

And finally, a couple interesting links I've found on our sister sites:
How the 40 Man Roster Works (From BCB)
Interesting NYTimes story on Risk Management (Orig Posted on BTB)

0 recs | Comment 948 comments

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Read More: obligatory seattlebruin tag, obligatory sorry nola tag, brianl thinks jeff is awesome and you should worship him, whoever controls the pretzels controls the universe, girls reading is hot, so are girls wearing glasses, i was not told there would be cake, old school tags

Comments

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It's been so long since I've made the time to read that I don't even know what I'd like anymore

This saddens me. I used to be on the several books per week program all through school. I even took a speed reading class to make it easier to process info faster so I could get to more books. I need to try out a few and get back into it and try to find something that I would like

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 9:00 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If history is your thing, I can't rec 1421 or Rum enough.

Otherwise, I’m sure someone could give some good ones based on your interests.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:04 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I do love history

I’ll have to check those out. Now that I have normal work hours I can curl down with a good book to unwind every night, which I’ve been missing out on for many years

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 9:13 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Following up with another history recomendation.

Check out Tragedy and Hope by Carol Quigly. It’s fascinating reading.

by JMKaustin on Jan 6, 2009 10:41 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So living in an apartment is really nice

I don’t have a clue as to how to cook however. Does anybody have neat easy recipe ideas that are cookable in small batches beyond the basics like sandwiches

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 9:04 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Four words - Contact Grill and Steaks

Other than that, chilis, soups, and stir-frys (ies?) are great for one person. And if you make a bunch of soup or chili, it handles well for freezing or refrigeration.

Although this might be more of a question for RC or NOLA.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:08 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sounds like Corco just needs a food processor.

And a Costco bucket of mayo.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:51 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and some stray swine

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 9:52 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just like substantial food

As long as it’s filling I’ll eat it

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 11:31 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll agree with you on this, but ham salad still sounds pretty nasty.

But then again I don’t like chicken salad or anything like that anyway.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:35 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What exactly is ham salad?

I figured it was just like chicken salad but with ham, or maybe tuna salad but with ham.

But I was telling gf about your obsession with ham salad and she asked me what it is. She’s a trained chef. I figure if ham salad’s a thing she should know about it.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 12:12 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just Shake and Bake everything

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 9:14 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I grew up on the stuff

All my dad ever cooked was Shake and Bake and French Toast. Mom got off of work later so we never got any real food unless I took the initiative, but that goes back to the procrastination discussion from yesterday

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 9:22 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're no fun

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 9:51 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, it's in my top 3 of things I take seriously.

I have never had Shake n Bake outside of Ricky Bobby, and I never will.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 9:55 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Shake n Bake is delicious though

I’m having Shake n Bake porkchops for dinner tonight since nobody gave me better recipes before going to the store

I’ll do Jeff’s thing tomorrow

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 12:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd recommend Betty Crocker's Slow Cooker cookbook.

Just picked up a slow cooker on sale at Lowe’s, cookbook at Barnes & Noble, got the whole shebang for right at twenty bucks. Really really really wish I had one of these when I was a bachelor. Short and sweet prep times, throw it in the pot, pretty much covers it.

Formerly dpseadvr.

by Kermit. on Jan 6, 2009 12:10 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love my crock pot

I’ve made some amazing things in it. Corned beef and cabbage is one of my specialties with it.

by coolguyrob on Jan 6, 2009 12:12 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sauerbraten.

One of the most flavourful things you will ever make in your crock pot.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 12:13 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yep, done that one too.

Another really easy one is to throw sauerkraut, brats and beer in it and cook on slow until you can’t wait anymore. So good.

by coolguyrob on Jan 6, 2009 12:15 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is exactly why I wish I had it as a bachelor.

Divvy up those extras in ziplocs and there’s my microwave nights.

I think I need 2 of these slow cookers though, the desert stuff is pretty good, but it would be nice to have it all ready at the same time.

Formerly dpseadvr.

by Kermit. on Jan 6, 2009 12:21 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Get yourself a rice cooker and a george foreman grill

bento (or other sort of grilled chicken over rice, whatever) whenever you want, and the rice cooker will steam veggies as well.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:35 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I got a cook book this christmas with quite a few easy recipes

It’s called A man, A can, a plan. It uses mostly canned for for simple recipes and some of the canned goods could be replaced with fresh stuff if you wish. I haven’t tried out any recipes out of it yet but it seems like it might have a lot of good apartment/budget recipes.

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 10:43 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh I greatly dislike that book

it presupposes that guys can never be trusted to cook anything that requires more than one pot. Books like this are much more useful and produce better food with not that much more effort. This one’s also good because in addition to a bunch of really easy recipes it also contains a list of things to keep in your kitchen so that you can always cook something decent.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:47 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A Man, A Can never tries to get guys past "I'm too lazy to cook"

whereas the other ones teach you a bit in a pretty painless way.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:57 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it's a little past that but that's the general idea

more like “can of spaghetti + can of beans = CHILI!” sort of thing.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 11:04 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Somebody made a book about that kind of stuff and it actually sells?

That sounds like the kind of thing that somebody would make on accident while drunk or something (and yes I know that chili can be made that way, but my point still stands)

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 11:14 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What I meant to say was...

Huh, I’ll have to check out those books. I’m a moderately decent cook so a little more effort in the kitchen is no prob. Like I said hadn’t tried any recipes out of " A man…." but I can se what yer sayin’

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 10:57 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you're already a moderately decent cook

then you’re really already past “a man, a can”. I don’t know why that book bugs me so much but I think it’s because I hate to be assumed to be stupid or lazy based on my gender.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 11:00 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I get that

And I kinda felt like I was past the recipes when I got the book. But since it was a gift I figured I’d give a couple recipes a go. Plus my living situation is kinda in flux right now so buying canned food for later recipes seemed like not a bad idea.

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:04 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"My living situation is kinda in flux"

That doesn’t sound good.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:06 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's not bad

I recently moved out of my mad house in Seattle to my aunt’s in Spokane to go to school. But I dunno how long I’m gonna stay there before I find my own apt or house. Hence the “in flux” part.

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:11 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess it kinda did

Now that I re-read that. Luckily I’m not one of the hobos quite yet

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:14 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A hobo is a dangerous thing to be around here.

Certain members of LL are well known as hobo punchers.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:17 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So I've read

That’s why I clarified that I was not a hobo lest I get punched

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:18 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Willie Mays Haze.

Not a hobo.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:21 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Most definitely not

Though I have been called a bum due to my lack of car. But not at all a hobo

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:25 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bum.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:36 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah...

I hope to rectify this situation when get my two tax returns (I never filed for ‘06). I get the feeling that spokane isn’t as bus/pedestrian friendly like seattle is.

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:39 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or a taun-taun

but yeah there is a shit-ton of snow over here. They had over 6 feet fall in december. The not so fun part about the snow? It’s supposed to get up past 40 and rain later this week. That could spell flooding and I live not to far the river. “When the levee breaks got no place to stay.”

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:43 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sweet Zepplin reference.

Or whatever blues artist they stole it from. My brother sent me pictures from the L&I office over there, and it’s like walking through a snow cave just to get in the front door.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:48 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hahaha

So true about Zep.

Funny thing about the snow is some of it has already melted and there is still more than I’ve ever seen in a major city.

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:52 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good point.

Must be a busy man.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 12:50 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Out of town, I believe

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 6, 2009 1:36 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That would make sense.

Hope it’s somewhere warm.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 1:38 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Simple

Sautee together:

-chopped onions
-chopped peppers
-garlic
-chopped or grated potatoes

If desired, add:

-egg
-strips of meat or dollops of sausage

Takes 10-15 minutes, smells great, fills you up, isn’t unhealthy.

by Jeff on Jan 6, 2009 11:33 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mmmmm....

Sounds like tasty breakfast to me!

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 11:37 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Food bank.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 1:03 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The food bank was snowed in?

Or the “meals on wheels” didn’t show up?

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 1:05 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Im not fasting either, so it's probably not Yom Kippur.

Maybe he is having a colonoscopy this afternoon

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 1:08 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This begs a question.

Why, if not eating at all is fasting, is overeating not called slowing?

by Sec 108 on Jan 6, 2009 1:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As a person who has been known to overeat in the past,

it may not be called slowing, but it is still just that in many ways.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 1:56 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

1 lb. ground beef.

1 large white onion.
1/3 jar of hot curry powder.
1/4 white flour
1/4 cup of salt (you need a lot of salt for this).
1 cup water

Brown the beef, and the stir in the chopped onions. Cook that until the onions are transparent.

Then add the water. Stir in the flour and the curry powder and cook everything on medium heat (stirring regularly) until it’s all the same colour and most of the water is gone. Then stir in the salt. Make sure you distribute it evenly.

Serve on rice.

Flavourful, hearty, and it has a nice spicy kick to it.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 1:01 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hearty.

As in: “that much sodium can’t be good for your heart”.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 1:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've never actually measured it.

I just keep adding salt until it tastes right, but it feels like I’m adding a whole shitload of salt.

This is will feed at least two people, though.

If you don’t add enough salt the flavour is really flat. Shallow, even. There’s a thin veneer of flavour and then nothing beneath it. The salt really brings out the depth of flavour both from the curry and the beef.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 1:07 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

might try measuring the curry powder before offering that amount.

Jars vary in size.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 1:08 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pan fried noodles

Obtain a package of rice noodles or, failing that if you’re living in the boonies, egg noodles, and cook according to directions.
Get a wok or frying pan really hot. Add seseme, peanut or, if you must, veg oil. Not olive. When the oil is hot, throw in about a pound of chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces, and cook about 3-5 minutes depending how hot you got your pan. Push the chicken to the side, throw in a couple of cloves of garlic, chopped up, and some chili pepper flakes. Add broccoli if you would like. Stir a couple minutes, then throw in the noodles. Stir for about two minutes, then add two tablespoons of soy sauce. Stir one minute, squeeze a lime over, and dig in.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Jan 6, 2009 1:38 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm contemplating THAT for dinner.

I’d need to go get rice noodles though, or settle for egg noodles. Could I use ramen noodles instead?

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 1:43 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just had bacon and eggs for dinner.

Which was good but after reading your idea I feel totally let down.

by coolguyrob on Jan 6, 2009 1:45 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm excited

because I just signed up for organic vegetable delivery. Every Monday, a box of “between 14-16” delicious local vegetables will appear on our doorstep. This is awesome.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 1:46 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I get that too. It's pretty fun.

I get one vegetable a week that I have never cooked with before, so I can figure out what to do with it. (I’m almost out of vegetables I have never cooked with)

by royalcurve on Jan 6, 2009 1:54 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The cool thing with this is that we don't get to choose

they just send us what’s been harvested that week, which will force some menu flexibility.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 1:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, we do get to choose...

OrganicsToGo/Spud is fantastic. They’re actually up in Seattle (Spud) and bought out our local delivery company (OrganicsToGo), and we just re-signed up now that we’re more established in the new house.

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Jan 6, 2009 3:32 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tonight: tofu!

Obtain a block of tofu. Open, drain, put on a plate, cover with a paper town, and place something heavy on it like a book. Let that squeeze the water out for about 30 minutes.

Marinate the tofu in stuff: garlic, ginger, green onion, a little soy, some Sambal or other Chili paste/sauce, and a little sesame oil.

Chop up some red bell pepper, bamboo shoots, chinese broccoli, and on choy.

Get a wok freaking with some veggie oil. Drop in the tofu for about 2-4 minutes then stop and drain the oil. Throw the veggies in, add some hoisin+chili garlic+soy, or buy a bottle of some sauce if you are lazy. Eat it over rice.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 1:47 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Never could get into the tofu stuff.

It’s just filler to me. Add chicken, and now you’re talking.

Man do I love midgets.

by Thingray on Jan 6, 2009 1:49 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tofu prepared right is as good as meat.

I’m not a vegetarian, but it is actually a nice change of pace. To make it more interesting, dredge the tofu cubes in flour and corn starch, then fry it.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 1:50 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The trick is to fry it in beef lard.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 1:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lard is from pigs.

If it’s from cows it’s called tallow.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 4:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Learn something new every day.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 4:07 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think viewing it as a substitue for meat is where things go wrong.

I don’t get a craving for beef that can be satisfied by tofu, but I don’t get cravings for tofu that can be satisfied by beef either.

by acblue on Jan 6, 2009 1:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

correct. I use it as another protein source to cook with and not instead of meat.

A good Mapo Tofu is one of my favorite foods period.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 1:57 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Keep experimenting

Add a bit of fish sauce one time. Or rice wine vinegar and sugar or mirin. Or ginger. everything’s better with ginger.

Ginger freezes well, by the way.

by marc w on Jan 6, 2009 2:45 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like good food

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 2:45 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Two books everyone should read:

World War Z by Max Brooks. Arguably the best zombie book ever written. The faux non-fiction style is a unique approach and really leads to an immersive experience that you will never forget.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. This is my favorite novel of all time. I absolutely devoured it in a single sitting because I literally could not put it down. While it is a pseudo sequel to his novel American Gods, you do not need to read the first one to enjoy Anansi Boys.

Fear the NPE

by thewyrm on Jan 6, 2009 9:06 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I liked American Gods better, to tell the truth.

Mr. Wednesday is easily one of my favorite characters in any book I’ve read.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:11 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like it when my books jump around.

Not in a Robert Jordan sort of way with going from character to character, but in a Piers Anthony plot change way.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:20 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They are both great, but for different reasons.

I just prefer Gaiman’s more whimsical stories to the more dramatic ones.

Fear the NPE

by thewyrm on Jan 6, 2009 9:23 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which reminds me, Firefly by Piers Anthony.

I love this book. It’s such a disturbing read, in a Oldboy sort of way, but ultimately a great story with well drawn out characters and an awesome ending.

Warning, not safe for the squeamish types, it contains a lot of bizarre sexual stuff that’s not everyone would want to read.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:26 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That feeling in your stomach while watching the credits roll on Oldboy is something you never forget.

My only response to that film was to let out an audible whimpering “Ugh.” when it was over.

Fear the NPE

by thewyrm on Jan 6, 2009 11:23 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think Piers Anthony holds the record for most puns.

27 books and counting in the Xanth series.

"Beer is ... love ..." Ben Franklin

by Jed MC on Jan 6, 2009 11:35 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was talking with one of the writers at BioWare and he said

“I find it hard to believe I ever liked Piers Anthony.”

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 11:42 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This isn't really like anything else Piers Anthony.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 11:57 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

World War Z the movie is due in 2010

with Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland, Quantum of Solace) directing.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:36 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I loved World War Z

That was one of those books that just took me over and I finished it in a couple days. I also enjoyed The Zombie Survival Guide quite a bit. It wasn’t near as immersive as WWZ. But as someone who has for years looked a structures and wondered what it would take to zombie-proof them this book was right up my alley.

Another good not-your-standard horror book is The Undead and Philosophy. It examines what exactly scares us about vampires, zombies, etc. I also enjoy their take on whether or not it’s murder to kill a vampire.

by Willie Mays Haze on Jan 6, 2009 11:10 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I mentioned this in yesterday's thread

but I’m currently reading Running the Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious, the Last Great American Pool Hustler. I don’t enjoy playing or watching billiards particularly, but the way this book is written, and Kid Delicious’ engaging personality makes it VERY enjoyable.

by Phildopip on Jan 6, 2009 9:07 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm just glad someone reads the tags still besides me.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:16 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Girls reading IS hot.

I’m just glad I’m not the only one who apparently gets more turned on by the library scene than the bar scene.

by Omerta on Jan 6, 2009 9:19 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hot girls go to libraries?

Where have I been all my life?

I’m off to the library

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 9:21 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think you're mixing cause and effect.

Hot girls don’t necessarily read, but the act of reading makes a girl hot.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:22 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The act of reading does make a girl hot

I just never drew the connection that fiinding those girls involved going to the library and not getting plastered and running around being crazy

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 9:24 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Book stores are also a great place to find college women.

Wander the aisles and ask every check there for recommendations. It’s the perfect conversation starter.

It also makes for cheap dates at coffee shops and bookstores.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:34 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I do like cheap

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 9:35 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Warning! You may have to read books and somewhat know what you are talking about.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:38 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's always worked in the past

dumb girls think I’m really incredibly smart

Smart ones think I’m an idiot

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 6, 2009 12:04 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not sure how that became check.

But it was chick.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:36 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pistol Pete. (biography)

Must-read. It’s fantastic.

Big Z is the MAN.

by Taylor H on Jan 6, 2009 9:17 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anything by John Feinstein

I particularly enjoyed The Last Amateurs

by seattlebruin on Jan 6, 2009 9:19 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I haven't read The Omnivore's Dilemma, but I read In Defense of Food.

I liked it a lot. Made me want to move into the mountains and never go to a grocery store again. A friend of mine helped Pollan with fact-checking and other stuff when she was a grad student at Cal.

by Teej on Jan 6, 2009 9:20 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Music Recs:

So Graham mentioning Emily Haines in yesterday’s OT led me to check her out and discovered her band Metric which I absolutely love. Amazing the things you can discover here. So what I propose is this: Everyone mention one band they love that may be a little obscure and you think people need to hear more of. I’ll start it off.

Better Than Ezra. They had a few radio hits in the early 90’s but never really hit it off mainstream. Kevin Griffin is a great lyricist and songwriter who writes music for others as a day job so he can keep making BTE records despite not selling in large amounts. He is also one hell of a showman if you are ever fortunate enough to see them live.

Check them out here

Fear the NPE

by thewyrm on Jan 6, 2009 9:21 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Love Better Than Ezra.

Put Dishwalla and Toad the Wet Sprocket on the list.

by Wilder. on Jan 6, 2009 11:09 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Make sure you follow The Wisdom of Crowds with

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles MacKay. It was first published in 1841, and it isn’t entirely historically accurate, but there’s still an important message in there.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Jan 6, 2009 9:24 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

On the list.

I keep reading the Malcom Gladwell type books, waiting for something to hit me from them. So I’m looking for a change of pace.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:28 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or I should say, on the list now.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:35 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

In Defense of Food is not as good as Omnivore's Dilemma, but it makes a quality followup.

The Rum book looks like one I need to put on my “to-read” list.

The books cluttering my nightstand are:
The Ball is Round: A Global History of Soccer
1491: New Revelations of The Americas Before Columbus
Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table

by NOLAmarinergirl on Jan 6, 2009 9:26 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

1491's on my longer list, but I loved 1421 so much that I want to get 1434 done as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Also in that vein is Island of Seven Cities, which I’m looking forward to as well.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:31 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

In all seriousness though, if you can make proper New Orleans cuisine...

that’s knowledge worth having.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 9:54 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I make incredible gumbo and tasty red beans and rice.

I don’t do jambalaya because it’s rare that I like it.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Jan 6, 2009 9:56 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Andouille and I are good friends in the red beans and rice department.

I need to pick up the Cajun cooking. My repertoire is sorely lacking in that department

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!

by abender20 on Jan 6, 2009 10:05 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd list all of my current reads

but I feel they all fall under the ZOMG category.

Nevertheless it’s nice to see what everyone else is looking at. Good call for a OFTOP, Faux.

by Omerta on Jan 6, 2009 9:27 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I read a bunch of those as well.

I just left them off the list for obvious reasons.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:28 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is that a year in pictures?

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:40 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It shouldn't be.

It was supposed to be the headlines of every month from Jan 1900 to December 2005

by Robert on Jan 6, 2009 9:46 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aha.

I didn’t actually go into the book, it just looked like one of the Time “We’ve got Pictures!” books they put out at every “0” year.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:47 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was the same, but I mainly spent my time flipping through until I found an article about some disaster or other.

The Chronicle of Flight is the same sort of book, but concentrating on aviation for airplane lovers. I recommend that as well.

by HARRYP09 on Jan 6, 2009 10:27 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reading 2666 right now.

Made every respectable top 10 books of 08 list, and the blurbs certainly are enticing.

I’m >100 pages in, and I have to say that if it weren’t for the high praise I’d have put it down by now. There is a tremendous amount of detail that so far seems to be included solely for the sheer joy of writing it down. And while I’m all for excessive description, Bolano is no Nabokov and his style is better suited for terser storytelling. Also, it’s hardly a compelling storyline (so far there are four career literary critics obsessed with a fictional German writer going to conferences and trying to sleep with one another. There, I just summarized about 80 pages). I’m giving it until about page 300 before I give up on it.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 6, 2009 9:43 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So I take it the beginning is worse than Savage Detectives?

Because that was probably one of the slowest books I’ve ever tried to read.

(PDB style disclaimer – I’m not into mainstream fiction for the most part, and crime stuff especially)

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 9:51 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have Savage Detectives on stand by

should I make a gift of it to someone I don’t much like instead?

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 6, 2009 11:11 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would get a few pages in.

I have odd tastes in books that do not match well with mainstream fiction readers. It’s really a tossup whether other people will like what I do. If you like his other stuff (or even have read any of it) go for it.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jan 6, 2009 11:59 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also for anyone who is into heroic epics

which I was and am, there’s an incredible new translation of the Iliad, or ‘retelling’ as he calls it by a guy called Christopher Logue. Just incredible, totally different from anything else out there yet arguably more true to the original than any of modern English translation (Pope included). I’ll be happy to provide some quotes or more info if anyone’s interested, but I’ll have to go home to get my copy.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 6, 2009 9:47 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah I was going to say...

have you noticed much of a difference so far between this telling and, say, a version that most of us are familiar with?

by Omerta on Jan 6, 2009 9:54 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To be fair

he did say “more true to the original” not “more original”. I don’t really think the Iliad needed to be retold, though.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:30 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Point still stands.

I find it hard to believe that with all the ancient greek scholars in the world that have translated the Iliad from primary source material, there would suddenly be a radically different version of the story that’s “more true to the original” unless a new, much older scroll was discovered.

by Matthew on Jan 6, 2009 10:38 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reading the blurbs about it at amazon

it doesn’t seem like it’s “radically different”, but more of a fresh/updated retelling, which as you say doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more true to the original – it’s just a different retelling of the familiar story, which sounds like it’s one of the more accessible ones out there. My fear with these things is that it’d be like making Ulysses into a 35-page comic book, though – you could do it, but why?

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:44 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The point of reading the Iliad is certainly not its inaccessibility

I think I agree with where you were going, but I’m not sure….

by marc w on Jan 6, 2009 10:47 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My point being, the Iliad is a poem. It's written in a meter. The language, allusions, phrasing, etc are an integral part of it.

I am not saying the point of it is obtuseness for obtuseness’ sake, but that hearing a version described as “more accessible” conjures up an image to me of someone writing a more accessible version of The Waste Land, “The world sucks”

by Matthew on Jan 6, 2009 11:26 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

this is my point.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 6, 2009 10:47 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not a comic book at all

it’s a translation of sorts that uses modern poetic forms and techniques to attempt to recreate for the modern ear what the greeks might have heard 2500 years ago. Logue felt unconstrained by the original Greek because modern English, and more importantly the modern english reader are so completely different from the ancient greeks. Trying to fit within the confines of meter and rhetorical structures makes it stiff. Going for blank verse or prose loses the sense of poetry. More to the point, descriptors like ‘the wine-dark sea’ are cliches in modern english and have none of the potency they once held.

I’ve read four versions of the Iliad in two languages, and have a great fondness for it. I abhor any attempts at abridgment or digests. I think these books are pretty great.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 6, 2009 11:10 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So it's a modern update of it then.

That’s fine. I just would not have used the phrasing “more true to the original” because as a former classics scholar, true means original language.

by Matthew on Jan 6, 2009 11:29 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Eh

What do you think of the Seamus Heaney translation of Beowulf?
It’s not the original language, but the use of alliteration and kennings mean it’s, er, more true to the original. Yes?

I know nothing about these Iliad translations, but trying to give a sense of the poetry of the original using either the original meter or some sort of modern analog sounds interesting. Maybe it’s not the same meter, and maybe it’s changing some of the descriptive kenning-like language, I don’t know, but that seems like it could fall under the umbrella of ‘truer to the original.’ The baseline is important here, and many, many current translations just turn it into an adventure yarn. Which is cool and everything, but most people don’t know it’s a poem.

by marc w on Jan 6, 2009 11:39 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't have a problem with tackling the story this way, don't get me wrong.

I’m saying the truer to original clearly means something different to me.

by Matthew on Jan 6, 2009 11:47 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Truer than what?" is still an important consideration.

I think we agree on pretty much everything in this arena, so, y’know, don’t go changing.

by marc w on Jan 6, 2009 11:51 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is what I was getting at

poetry is a tricky thing to translate – so much of it is in the subtlety of cultural contexts and wordplay. Borges has an essay (well, a transcribed lecture) on translating poetry where he argues that original and intended meaning can be almost irrelevant in a translation because it takes on a life of it’s own. One of his examples is the name ‘Don Quixote de la Mancha’, which in English evokes medieval castles and old-world chivalry, while in Cervantes’ Spain would have evoked something like Don Quixote of Kitsap County.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 6, 2009 12:28 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heaney's Beowulf was great

have you read Merwin’s Green Knight? Also fantastic, and unlike Beowulf you can kind of make out the original (it’s a bilingual edition) since Middle English, especially the author’s dialect, is pretty easy to make out.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 6, 2009 12:21 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like the green knight a lot; haven't read it in translation

I loved the Gawain poet when I was a wanna-be medievalist sort of person. Chaucer’s still my homeboy, though I look back and find it hilarious that I wanted to be a medievalist. I think that only lasted like a month, but… HA!

by marc w on Jan 6, 2009 1:14 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs