Okay.

This isn’t going to beat kerbey’s post, but it’s worth mentioning. At least part of it.

So, as you’re taking a break from your nineteenth viewing of Half Nelson, here’s something:

BIG NEWS for those of you with good taste regarding reading material. Palahniuk’s new one is set to hit stores on May first. It’s entitled Rant: The Oral History of Buster Casey and will be his eighth novel. I’m a little iffy on the premise, though. The last oral-history-style fiction story I read put me to sleep and bored me almost to tears. But I have faith in ol’ Chuck to redeem this story-telling form in my eyes. If you’re interested, Publishers Weekly says:

Set in a future where urbanites are segregated by strict curfews into Daytimers and Nighttimers, the narrative unfolds as an oral history comprising contradictory accounts from people who knew Buster. These include childhood friends horrified by the boy’s macabre behavior (getting snakes, scorpions and spiders to bite him and induce instant erections; repeatedly infecting himself with rabies), policemen and doctors who had dealings with the rabies “superspreader”; and Party Crashers, thrill-seeking Nighttimers who turn city streets into demolition derby arenas. After liberally infecting his hometown peers with rabies, Buster hits the big city and takes up with the Party Crashers. A series of deaths lead to a police investigation of Buster (long-since known as “Rant”—the sound children make while vomiting) that peaks just as Buster apparently commits suicide in a blaze of car-crash glory. This dark religious parable (there’s even a resurrection) from the master of grotesque excess may not attract new readers, but it will delight old ones.

So keep that in mind.

THIS JUST IN, because apparently I’m so behind on the news:
First off, I’m an idiot appparently for not realizing sooner that Adam Duritz has started his own record label. It’s called Tyrannosaurus Records (T-Recs, for short). But that’s not all! On April 12 (that’s in twenty-seven days), T-Recs will be re-releasing The Himalayans’ album “She Likes the Weather.” The Himalayans, if you’re even more behind than I was, was the band Duritz and David Bryson (guitarist) were in just prior to forming the CC. So this 17-track, digitally-remastered re-release is the most exciting thing since, um, I don’t even know what. I’m so excited I can’t sit still. Or maybe it’s all the caffeine. Either way, this is good stuff. Good, good stuff. As far as I’m seeing, the album can only be purchased through the T-Recs store. It’s only ten dollars. Ten dollars! That’s a steal. Fo’ real.

Okay. I have to calm down now probably.

I came across this site today and I suggest checking it out. I have a weird sense of having been there before, many times, as weird as that might be. And I’m incredibly jealous, because the person to whom the site belongs is taking a road trip and writing about it. That’s pretty much what dismarum and I have talked about doing for years. But I’ll try to contain my envy and just say it’s a fun site worth checking out and she’s got some nice jewelry up for sale (Although I’m guessing it won’t get mailed to you until she gets back from her trip. Just a guess.).

Then, there’s this PeaceLoveMom website that caught my attention for obvious reasons (my preference for the peace/love bit, not the mom thing). I was watching the flashing little T-shirt image and the gray one with “99 percent total mom” really made me think. How is she only 99 percent a mom? What’s the other one percent? Is that the I-wish-I’d-never-had-you percent? I-don’t-want-to-be-your-mom-anymore percent? I’d-rather-be-living-in-Ireland-outside-Bono’s-house-and-stalking-him-with-binoculars percent? I-want-to-be-your-father-not-your-mother percent? Seriously? Any ideas?

I’m currently working on the mix for Jane’s Songs For The Spring. That’s supposed to get your attention or something. I’m also trying to write this damn hell novel. I’m also supposed to be reading this Anita Desai book.

After being disappointed at Hasting’s last night, I bought my copy of Half Nelson online this morning. I’ve told just about everyone to watch it. Consider this your reminder.
And happy Patty’s Day to you.

Peace, love, and four-leaf clovers.