fusionface

Life, to me over the past few years, has been like the ebb and flow of the ocean tide. Unfortunately, this has been the year of the tide's recession....I've got to say, so far as interesting is concerned, this year tops the bill. That's the only way I can look at it, because to look at it as a shitty year would be unfairly discounting my past experiences earlier in life. Death, insanity, physical altercation, environmental disaster, the sudden end to a beautiful and important relationship, betrayal, tragedy, depression, anger, anxiety, pressure, frustration, stagnation....fuck it man...I've already written this year off. Not that there haven't been high points this past year, but its definitely been a lesson in learning how to roll with the punches. I venture to say that had I not been through so many important life experiences already, I would have been ill-prepared for the journey that this year has presented. Even then, I have to wonder exactly how well I have stumbled through the year, how well I contained my composure. I have changed my viewpoint from acting as one of fire, consuming all and constantly growing, spontaneously and wherever fuel takes it, to that of water, taking the path of least resistance while pressure constantly builds to eventually wither away or overcome any barrier. That said, if this is the year of the receding tide, then I can only hope that it is building the basis for a tidal wave to crash into the future.



Regardless of anything else going on, one thing I am happy about is I found the time to catch up on my reading this summer. Aside from the numerous Star Wars books that a buddy had lent to me, and the comic book sagas I've managed to brush up on, I have managed to get my hands on a number of interesting books. Here's the list:

Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brooks
Duh, this book provides insight and tips to surviving a zombie invasion of virtually any scale. A must read for anyone concerned with their well-being.

World War Z, Max Brooks
The novel written from various individuals perspectives recalling a world-wide zombie apocalypse. Probably one of the most entertaining reads in quite some time. I wish they'd make a movie (and do the book justice, too)

Stranger than Fiction, Chuck Palahnuik
Fight Club's notorious author...a collection of true stories both introspective and shocking. I enjoyed it.

A Million Little Pieces, some jerk-off author
I found the beginning slightly entertaining to read, but ultimately, I didn't buy into the story of the narrator, whose story was "factual" (quotations because a later Oprah interview apparently proved otherwise). I couldn't finish this book...I found it to be boring, and the type of book that would appeal to someone living in a different, biased, realm of existence than I (someone that watches Oprah)...Also, the author needs a lesson in how to write...(I only read this book on the recommendation of a friend).

Killing Pablo, Mark Bowden, author of Blackhawk Down
I really enjoyed this book and the gritty detail it provided of the Colombian cocaine cartels war with the Colombian and United States government. A real eye opener...I can't watch the movie Blow now without realizing how Johnny Depp's character (George Jung) was just one of many connections for Pablo's massive drug empire.

How to Make Love Like a Porn-Star, Jenna Jameson & Neil Strauss
This book surprised me...I didn't expect anything intelligent or really worthwhile to be written other than weird acronyms about DVDA and such...but this book was less about sex and more about the shitty realities involved in the sex trade and the people associated with it. Plus, it served as a roadmap detailing exactly how Jenna became one of the celebrities of our time (for good or ill). I definitely have more respect for her after reading the book, though I do have to say that it looks like she's had some work done and isn't nearly as attractive as she used to be.

Hell's Angels, Hunter S. Thompson
I've read this book before, as well as most of Hunter's collection, but thought that it would be a fun one to read again. Just finished it today and enjoyed every page of detail about the Angels' rise to infamy in the mid-60's.

Acid Dreams, Martin A. Lee & Bruce Shlain
An interesting study of the CIA's intricate role of the 60's acid explosion, starting with their introduction to acid in the 40's, secretive research and testing in the 50's, and the attempt to quell the black-market production in the 60's. Very informative. This book also touches along the lines of the New Left, Hippie revolution, and delves into the counterculture gurus such as Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsburgh, Ken Kesey, and a host of others. I hope to finish this book soon.

Lizard King: The Essential Jim Morrison, Jerry Hopkins
Now that I finished Hell's Angels, I'm looking forward to reading this book. No One Here Gets Out Alive literally changed my life at a crucial time, but after reading through it again in later years, seems a little fantastical and exaggerated at times. This book, written by the co-author of NOHGOA Jerry Hopkins, seems like it will be more factual and down to earth, providing a more realistic insight into the life and later years of the rock enigma (damn maybe I should write book captions or reviews, WTF).

Yup, even with all this reading, I'm still committed to my art and music. Never a dull day.