More fun with books

Last weekend I had a serendipitous literature day.

On Friday I got a NY Times book section email. Neal Stephenson, author of Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash, etc., has a new book, "REAMDE." I checked the library web site and it had 54 reservations. For a 1000+ page book it won't be available for a year or two. So I went to B&N and bought a copy. Then, reading through the Washington Post National Book Festival section, I see the Neal is speaking and signing books on Sunday. I took the Orange Line Metro to the National Mall, met some book folks and had both the novel and my writing book signed. A good day.

I might look for one specific book at the library, but then I just browse. Came across Ice-T's book "Ice - A memoir of gangster life and redemption-from South Central to Hollywood." I like Ice-T. I liked his rap music and the hard core rock of Body Count. Maybe you don't like it. I'm not asking you.

Recovery Reading

Haven't posted lately. Mighty "not-well" from late June. Call it the troubles. Or my 2011 summer break. For recovery I watched a lot of the Travel Channel. Tried to play guitar and bass. And began reading again. One author a friend recommended is Walter Mosley. So far I've read:

The Leonid McGill Mysteries:

* The Long Fall

* Known to Evil

* When the Thrill is Gone

Detective novels set in New York City. The protagonist, Leonid, is a recovering rough guy, trying to do good after doing so much bad. I like the characters - nothing too deep, which is important while getting my thinker working again.

I've also read two of the three Socrates Fortlow books, and will start the third today.

* Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned

* Walking the Dog

* The Right Mistake - The further philosophical investigations of Socrates Fortlow

Socrates spent 27 years in prison for murdering two friends. He lives in a 1.5 room squatter house down an alley in Watts. Like Leonid, Socrates is tries to live his life to make things better, having taken responsibility for his actions. He is violent, but as the books progress he considers his anger and his reactions. He considers his place in society and struggles with reconciling issues in the black community.

I did read one Carl Hiaasen book, "Star Island." It was the first thing I read after the hospital. An easy read, Hiassen characters. Nothing to hurt my head.

Listening

Finished "The Music Lesson" by Victor Wooten. I've had it for a little over a year. He writes of his spiritual journey with Music. There are places where life becomes magic and back. And some strong insights into being a better player, band member and person.

I met Victor at the Contra Bass festival at Kamehameha Schools in March 2010. He taught a workshop. I should have asked him whether there was a relationship between his martial arts and his playing.

Source Code Time Shift

Are there 8 consecutive minutes in life that, if changed, would alter the current trajectory?

Of course there are.

Eight minutes is a kiss or not.

Eight minutes is a beer or not.

Eight minutes is a fight or not.

Eight minutes is a flight or not.

Eight minutes is a bus ticket, a hitched ride, a meal, a song.

Eight minutes is a lifetime.

Norwich and Altadena

the coach ride to norwich included 30 years of development

and cacti and streams only found in the desert

ragtop pimp mobiles converge on the corner

parties of youngsters

i'm smaller than they are

Finishing books.

Finished Chabon's "The Yiddish Policemen's Union." I didn't realize it won the Hugo in 2008. His novel is one type of science fiction I like - an alternate reality that has nothing to do with spaceships, skewed hard science, or fantasies of elves and dragons. It brought me back to "Man in the High Castle" by P.K.Dick. I've now read two of Chabon's novels - this and Kavalier & Clay. I don't know if I'll explore more of his writings, but these two novels brought me back to reading larger books. I'm glad they were worth the read.

Dreams with massive crowds.

Handball tournament.

I-Robot factory and prayer meeting.

Killer lower wall shot.