Updated reading progress...

I'm actually following through in a halfway coherent manner from my book list from earlier this year. I should probably try to write some semblance of a critical piece of at least one of these, but who knows how likely that is...

Finished:
Atonement - McEwan
Stealing Buddha's Dinner - Nguyen
1984 - come on (reread)
Why Orwell Matters - Hitchens
Consilience - E.O. Wilson (reread)
The End of Faith - Harris

Working On:
The Omnivore's Dilemma - Pollan
Love, Poverty, and War - Hitchens

On Deck:
The Untouchable - Banville (reread)
--- something by Updike.

I'm actually in a bit of a lull right now in planning ahead for reading. I normally have at least ten books that I know I'll never get to, but as of the moment I'm a bit light on this list. I know there are a few books out regarding Baltimore, and it's urban issues -- which after becoming hooked on the first four seasons of The Wire, I'm ready for some more from Baltimore.

Additionally, I should really try to watch the documentaries nominated for an Oscar for the year. I have admittedly been very unproductive on watching much of anything longer than an hour in the past few months, but I'll get there. If you are looking for something funnny to watch... try "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Funny stuff, and it isn't afraid of dealing with complex issues through the lens of a young person's social perspective. Many will find the show impolitic, but this is exactly what makes it great, since when you are in a group of real friends under the age of thirty --- things are never really politically correct (and isn't that refreshing).

Book list

as we approach hope and spring comes to bear... I make my overly ambitious reading list... (i'm actually almost done with Atonement already).

Atonement - McEwan
Stealing Buddha's Dinner - Nguyen
Love, Poverty, and War - Hitchens
1984 - come on (reread)
Why Orwell Matters - Hitchens
Consilience - E.O. Wilson (reread)
The End of Faith - Harris
The Omnivore's Dilemma - Pollan
The Untouchable - Banville (reread)
--- something by Updike.


The Atlantic -- featuring a cover story on Britney Spears... oh lord yes, I'm serious.

I'm also working through the World in 2008 from the Economist... which is quite good.

I also have to get on with my annual trek through the best doc nominees, which may not be as fun this year as last... but hey you gotta do what you gotta do to get some copy for this damn blog.

shameless plug for the movie Once, and it's fabulous soundtrack.

The National - "Slow Show"

The following video blends The National's Slow Show with Godard's Masculine-Feminine in a manner that should be applauded. Both the song and the film are searching for something to be committed too... an idea, a cause, another person...



Perhaps my favorite portion of the film clips here is the embedded title screen:

La Taupe Est Inconsciente
Mais elle creuse la terre
Dans une direction determinee

Roughly translated means: The mole is unthinking, but it digs the earth in a determined direction. The young always seem to fail in "thinking things through," but still seem to be determined in their pursuits.. not of finding themselves as much as making themselves. From the song lyrics:

Looking for somewhere to stand and stay
I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away
Can I get a minute of not being nervous
and not thinking of my dick
My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins
I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in
You could drive a car through my head in five minutes
from one side of it to the other

I'm not sure that there is a better verse on the travails of youth...

* Kudos to my man on the music spot -- Mel-Anon for turning me on to The National.