Book Reviews Galore!

September 16, 2008 in book reviews, books, entertainment, jeffrey brown | 4 comments

So I have been incredibly delinquent in posting reviews of books read this year. Apparently since I decided not to read 52 books and track them again this year as I did in 2007, my whole reviewing system fell apart entirely. So I’m going to do a whole chunk right here, but I’ll try to keep it short (you know that won’t happen because I’ll get all ranty and then that will be the end of things being short…) These are in no particular order:

ON BEAUTY by Zadie Smith – Fiction

A wonderful wonderful book. This is my first Zadie Smith book and based on this there will be many many more. She has an absolutely beautiful writing style and her characters are all fantastic. They’re full of flaws and annoying character traits (some more than others) elegantly coupled with beautiful gestures. They are somehow like tragic epic heroes and villians, but dragged down to a realistic middle/upper middle class day to day level. These are people you would really know, probably do know, and they are rendered so beautifully by Smith, who is unafraid to see them as they are and show them to us, stripped naked, and full of vulnerability.

The story itself was fascinating, about two rival professors (one liberal, one conservative), whose personal rivalry has turned their families into rivals over the years. How those rivalries have an incredible ripple effect both within the families, and even out into the world is a wonderful and horrifying thing to watch and it kept the story at an edge of your seat pitch for the entire book. Smith also started the book with a gimmicky little trick of showing the emails from the eldest son of one the families to his father. In the hands of a lesser author this could have been a huge mistake, but instead was a clever opening to all these flawed beings running around trying to both destroy and save the world and themselves. There’s also an excellent Romeo & Juliet element early on in the book that works as a great hook, getting you enmeshed in the brutal reality of these two educated and “civilized” families early on and an excellent foreshadowing of what this rivalry may end up costing everyone. A really brilliant work overall.

My one minor complaint is that the ending is rather abrupt. Smith takes such time with both her characters and plot lines, that you are often left wondering where the hell the story is actually going, but you don’t really care because you’re having such a wonderful time just experiencing it, but in the end Smith cuts everything abruptly short. It seemed just a little bit like taking the easy road with some very hard decisions she and her characters had made. That said, it was still a wonderful read. Perhaps there is actually nothing wrong with the ending at all and I just didn’t want to leave Smith’s world…and so what you’re reading is just my sour grapes at being denied a few extra pages…4 Stars.

BABYLON & OTHER STORIES by Alix Olin – Short Fiction Collection

I took Babylon & Other Stories on vacation with me (always a risky process choosing a perfect book – or four – for vacation) and I could not have been happier with my choice. The entire collection was beautiful and cohesive. The stories were masterfully told tales from characters from all different walks of life and speaking from both male and female point of views with equal authenticity.

I don’t think I have a single complaint about Olin’s collection except to say that as with all collections, certain stories were stronger than others and so as always there is a certain uneven aspect to the collection as a whole, however Olin’s voice is powerful and clear throughout. The King of Kohlrabi, Simple Exercises For The Beginning Student, You Are Here, A Theory of Entropy, Edgewater, Wonders Never Cease, Meeting Uncle Bob, Local News, The Swanger Blood, In Trouble With The Dutchman, and An Analysis of Some Troublesome Recent Behavior are some of (many of?) the standouts in Olin’s collection.

A must for anyone interested in short fiction. Olin is one of the powerful female short fiction writers to watch. 4.5 stars.

DO THE WINDOWS OPEN by Julie Hecht – Short Fiction Collection

My experience with Do The Windows Open was love hate from the very first story to the last. I first became interested in Julie Hecht more out of masochistic curiosity than anything else as I read an interview with her in a recent issue of The Believer and I found her to be an incredibly prickly and difficult subject in the interview and she borderline offended me (and I’m sure scores of others) in the interview, despite the interviewers attempts (frequent and valiant) to make it a pleasant and rewarding experience for her (and readers). However, I had ignorantly never really heard of her, and found out from the interview that she was quite prolific. Hecht writes short fiction exclusively, which is rare to make a successful career out of, and every piece of hers that she has ever submitted (I could be slightly misquoting here) has been published in The New Yorker (I make a habit of reading every fiction piece in every New Yorker – at least since I stared reading it) and so I found this particularly intriguing.

I liked that Hecht’s book was actually a bunch of short fiction stories about the same character. I liked that the central character was horribly flawed, it made her seem real. I was not that fond of the central character however, which sometimes made it hard to live in her world for every story. I also had trouble separating Hecht from her character, perhaps because from reading The Believer article she seemed a lot like the character. I guess in the end I have to say that I’m not a fan of Julie Hecht, but I’m slowly becoming a fan of her work. And judging from her Believer interview…that may be how she wants it. 3 stars.

GIRL ON THE FRIDGE by Etgar Keret – Short Fiction Collection

Reading Etgar Keret is like eating a huge spicy meal and then going straight to bed and having the craziest most insane, but beautiful and haunting dreams that you think you want to wake up from, but once you do you just wish you could crawl back into them.

A lot of people don’t “get” Keret, and I can understand why. His stories are complicated and bizarre, but extremely short and they often feel unfinished, like tiny vignette slices of various lives, but by focusing on those things, they are missing the point. He is a beautiful writer, with sometimes elegant and sometimes aggressive stories that just grab you and shake you. They stay with you long after finishing his book.

I was introduced to Keret with his collection The Nimrod Flipout, which I do slightly prefer to this newest collection, but both are excellent works. And for those of us (me!) who like to write very short pieces, he’s a real inspiration of how it can be done well. 3.5 stars

DIVORCED BEHEADED SURVIVED: A FEMINIST REINTERPRETATION OF THE WIVES OF HENRY VIII by Karen Lindsey – Non-Fiction

If I hadn’t read The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Wier, I might have looked more fondly upon this book, but it really suffered in comparison. The writing was not as strong, and for a subject that has been researched to death, presentation, organization, and strong writing really can make the difference. I found the chapter on Anne of Cleves to be by far the best, most interesting, and well written section of the book, and also the most thoroughly researched, as many researchers seem to gloss over Anne of Cleves. I’m not sure how accurate Lindsey’s research on Cleves was, but I found the Cleves chapter to be the only chapter that really was a “feminist reinterpretation” as the book title suggested. Had Lindsey treated all of the wives of Henry the eighth with the same strong feminist hand she gave Cleves the book would have soared to great heights, unfortunately it ends up being mediocre at best in comparison to the deluge of material already available. 2 stars

THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII by Alison Wier – Non-Fiction

So I went through this Anne Boleyn phase, and part of that included reading some actual Non-Fiction (rare for me these days) and the second book I read about Boleyn was Alison Wier’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII. It’s an excellent and comprehensive (nearly 600 pages) account of the six wives unfortunate enough to be married to Henry VIII. I thought Wier’s book was well written and informative, but I did wish a little more for her voice within the book, rather than just the facts. The book itself was fascinating, if only because these women were fascinating, and Wier does an excellent job of relaying the information, but it could have used a little more passion…a little more soul. 3.5 stars

WHITEOUT by Greg Rucka (writer) and Steve Lieber (illustrator) – Graphic Novel/Comic Book

I’ve long wanted to read Whiteout by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, and Adam helped me achieve that dream by bringing it home for me from the bookstore one random day (he’s so good at tiny surprises). It was a great read. I enjoyed the characters and the illustration was beautiful – a real challenge for anyone drawing a story set in Antarctica. Lots of white, you gotta get creative and run with it – and Lieber is incredibly successful. The plot is the weakest element as it is a murder mystery and it is obvious from very early on in the story who the culprit is, but the story is well told, the dialog sharp, and the action furious and so it’s not too upsetting that you can guess the final resolution before you actually get there. Keep your eyes peeled for a film based on Whiteout coming out in 2009 and starring Kate Beckinsale – judging from the poster (see below) it looks awesome, but I’ve been fooled by posters before.  Many, many times. 3.5 stars

WHITEOUT: MELT by Greg Rucka (writer) and Steve Lieber (illustrator) – Graphic Novel/Comic Book

Whiteout: Melt is good, but unfortunately pales in comparison to Whiteout. The art (still by Lieber) remains interesting and of the same high caliber, but the story, while the dialog is still good and the action still interesting, is lacking. The “mystery” is still easily solvable, and more importantly the mystery is just less interesting and the stakes, though they should be higher (they seem more epic) are just not that well handled. In the end I was disappointed, if only because Whiteout was so good.  2.5 stars

TOO COOL TO BE FORGOTTEN by Alex Robinson (writer & illustrator) – Graphic Novel/Comic Book

I was disappointed in this book, if only because my expectations of Alex Robinson are far too high. I am a huge fan of Box Office Poison, his massive graphic novel of 2001 and also the supplemental BOP. This book had a great hook – middle aged man is “hypnotized” and ends up back in high school. Great premise. I figured with Robinson’s talent for honest story telling and his great sense of humor that this would be a slam dunk. Instead I was disappointed to find a lot of exposition (too much show not tell is especially dangerous in a graphic novel – where there are actual pictures), too much heavy handed “life lessons drama”, and I personally found it unrealistic (but perhaps I harbor more high school regrets than Robinson).

Of note is the fact that Adam found the book to be quite good, and didn’t agree with most of my criticisms. I trust Adam implicitly as a critic of film, books, music, and especially comic books, and so I am torn and can only say that you should check it out and decide for yourself. This one wasn’t for me, but it might be perfect for you. 2.5 stars.

LITTLE THINGS by Jeffrey Brown (writer & illustrator) – Graphic Novel/Comic Book

I am a HUGE fan of Jeffrey Brown, I read absolutely everything of his I can get my hands on. His Unlikely is one of my favorite works of all time – graphic or otherwise.

I am probably not a very balanced reviewer when it comes to Jeffrey Brown, but so be it. I liked Little Things. It started off a little roughly for me, but really picked up speed. It was nice to see Brown working with slightly different material – he usually writes about his past relationships – and he’s a genius at tapping into that sorrow and happiness and bittersweet something that happens to all of us at some point in our lives – but here there is hardly a relationship to be seen.   

Little Things is more of a slice of life collection, stories about life and music and people and work, with tiny relationship tidbits sprinkled throughout. I really enjoyed it and found his sense of humor as engaging as ever, and actually slightly more upbeat and less sad-ish than his more relationship focused pieces, but I still think his poignant relationship stories are his best work. It seems impossible for him not to throw his whole heart and soul into those pieces, and it shows. But this was lighter and more fun and so still a solid 4.0 stars

CIRCLING THE DRAIN: STORIES by Amanda Davis – Short Fiction Collection

I am fairly new to Amanda Davis‘ work, and it is a real tragedy that she passed away in 2003 and will not be able to continue to share her wonderful words with the world. This collection really blew me away. It was honest and heartbreaking and beautiful, and particularly as a writer I found it inspiring as she is not afraid to think outside the box. Her stories Fat Ladies Floated In The Sky Like Ballons, Prints, Red Lights Like Laughter, Ending Things, and The Visit I found particularly creative and moving and now think of them as some of the absolute best examples of modern short fiction available to readers (and writers). The title story, Circling The Drain is maybe the best piece I’ve ever read about surviving (or not surviving) an affair. I recommend this collection to anyone that enjoys short fiction, and particularly to anyone looking for something different and groundbreaking to inspire them without being too “experimental and weird”…Davis never delves far enough into experimental that you lose the emotional connection so critical in short fiction. 4.5 stars.

WONDER WHEN YOU’LL MISS ME by Amanda Davis – Fiction

It’s a wonderful discovery to read a short fiction collection that you love and then realize that a full length novel is out there. And even more wonderful for the novel to turn out to be excellent as well. I think novels and short fiction are very different animals and not all people that are brilliant at one can be brilliant at the other, but Amanda Davis certainly nailed it. Wonder When You’ll Miss Me is a heartbreaking and sometimes gruesome look at a teenage girl with a tragedy in her past, one that she spends the entire book trying to escape and overcome. I won’t spoil the details for you, but suffice to say it is a hard look at life and love and youth and beauty and tragedy. Davis has a unique perspective and a way with words that makes her a delight to read. If only we had the opportunity to watch her grow even more as a writer. Rest in peace Amanda Davis. 4 stars

Also read this year and previously reviewed: Superfolks; The Other Boleyn Girl; and Interpreter of Maladies

Phase II Rejection Update…

September 16, 2008 in mcsweeney's, short fiction rejections, short fiction submissions, writing | Permalink

Ah, rejection, how I love thee…wait, that’s not right.

I got my official rejection from McSweeney’s yesterday for their Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award.  It was a longshot anyway, but I’m still disappointed.

That leaves four short fiction submissions still out there for consideration, including one very overdue one to McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern.  With rejections having a nasty habit of coming in little painful groups I’ll be steeling myself up…

The Worst Show Revamp Ever

September 15, 2008 in at the movies, ben lyons is a fucking moron, entertainment, movie reviews, movies, television, whores | 2 comments

“Film EXPERTS(?!!?) Ben Lyons (L) and Ben Mankiewicz (R) are shown in this combination photo of publicity images released to Reuters July 22, 2008. The Walt Disney Company named the two men on Tuesday the new hosts to replace Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper on the popular movie-review show “At the Movies,” in the wake of the influential critics’ departure from the program.” (Emphasis is all mine).

Disney does it again.

At The Movies (also known as Siskel & Ebert and then Ebert & Roeper, and then most recently Roeper and “rotating co-host”) has been killed and resurrected as a horrible disfigured incompetent frankenstein version of its previous self. The rotating co-host of At The Movies had recently “unofficially” become Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune, ironically my least favorite of the rotating co-hosts (I would have loved to see A.O Scott of The New York Times or Robert Wilonsky who was also good). Phillips and Roeper however were SO MUCH better than the “NEW” At The Movies, I cannot accurately articulate it in words…in my lifetime. Ever.

Let’s start at the very beginning which is to say that I don’t listen wholeheartedly to movie reviewers, I don’t go, “Oh – so and so likes it – let’s go!” but what I do like to do is read/listen to a few different reviewers that I don’t find to be totally off base (Roeper included) and judging on the kinds of things they say, help me decide which movies to see since I don’t have the time (or the money) to see them all. This has been a pretty good system for me, as it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a movie that I hated and wished I hadn’t spent my money on. Goal achieved! So Adam and I have tivo’d At The Movies and used to enjoy catching it on weekends.

I read online sometime in June or July 2008 that At The Movies was getting canceled. I was disappointed, but I had already had to absorb the new “see it”, “skip it”, or “rent it” nonsense rating system instead of the thumbs up/thumbs down rating system. This was apparently due to the fact that the latter is owned by Ebert and as contract negotiations dragged on I guess Disney decided it was best to just move on and try to force their new inane rating system (devised by an intern over the summer perhaps?) down our throats while we still had a familiar face (Roeper) delivering them. So since May 2008 the show has been a little less than it should have been. But now I know that the truly horrible changes were still to come.

The new formatting totally sucks. The set, graphics, and entire production is cheap and terrible looking. A far cry from the “theater seating” look that was so appropriate (and pretty good looking) of the old show. The new show has the two “hosts” standing at a counter (one behind it, and one in front of it) and it is a totally uncomfortable way to watch them talk about something. You feel like there is no way they can actually have a serious debate or even a conversation about any issue because they are standing there together, facing the camera and not each other at all. It also feels like they could just dart off stage at any moment. At the end of the show they did sit in chairs (on the still horrible set with the still horrible graphics) but the chairs were so close that they were touching, and it remained completely uncomfortable to watch.

The show does have a somewhat interesting new segment that brings in a “critic roundup” where they have three guest critics (all very young) that comment on one of the movies they are reviewing. Unfortunately however this did not work either because the critics were given far too little time to articulate any point of view other than “yes” or “no”. It didn’t help that on the segment I saw, the critic from IFC (Independent Film Channel), Matt Singer was quite knowledgeable and so made Ben Lyons the new idiot co-host of the show seem even more incompetent than he obviously is.

Onto the meat, the new “hosts” (I use that term very loosely). Actually, Ben Mankiewicz was pretty good. He seemed knowledgeable and well spoken and more importantly he seemed interested in actually discussing the films, rather than just looking pretty for the camera and getting his sound bites in. Which brings us to the idiocy that is Ben Lyons. This dude is absolutely ridiculous. I cannot believe the producers of this show think that throwing a pretty face at viewers will help us ignore the fact that the guy is a complete moron that doesn’t seem to even know anything about film (he hails mostly from the E! channel). It’s not that I disagree with his point of view on films…it’s more that he doesn’t seem to have one.

Also, let’s talk about the fact that Ben Lyons, who is obviously the worst kind of star whore (see his blog, which is essentially pictures of him with famous people), with his E! Entertainment credentials is actually a conflict of interest reviewer. It’s like having Karl Rove come in as an “independent commentator” on Fox News to talk about Obama’s or McCain’s speeches. Rove is CLEARLY not an objective observer, he has an obvious stake in the Republicans winning the election, just as Lyons has a stake in certain movies doing well, and/or maintaining relationships with actors, directors, producers, writers, etc., in order to keep getting his interviews and oh so important photo ops. This is a total conflict of interest.

And as if to really solidify my viewpoint that this show is a pandering ridiculous revamp that is now intending to not actually review films, but to create even more PR and spin for the Hollywood machine, Lyon’s choice for ‘Three to See‘ (a fairly new feature where they pick the three best films currently in theaters) was not even a FILM! Yes, you read that correctly. Mankiewicz picked Hamlet 2 and Towelhead as his picks and Lyons said that people should watch the trailers for Twilight. A TRAILER? Wait, let me rephrase that…A FUCKING TRAILER? A trailer for a giant Hollywood machine of a movie coming out in November 2008? That is your current movie pick? You fucking idiot. Don’t EVER show up on my TV ever again.

Jerk.

David Foster Wallace Is Dead

September 14, 2008 in books, david foster wallace | Permalink

It’s a terrible year.

We have lost so many greats this year from Tim Russert to Bernie Mac, and none more important to me personally than David Foster Wallace, a brilliant writer, who has left us just far too soon.

At the very young age of 46, David Foster Wallace has been found dead in his California home on Friday September 12th, apparently a victim of suicide by hanging. It’s true that only the good die young, no matter how they go.

Reading David Foster Wallace both makes me want to be the best I can be, and scares the crap out of me with his talent. I have said in more than one therapy session, “I should just give up, I’ll never be a David Foster Wallace, and knowing that it like a terrible torture”. It’s true. So few of us can ever be as good as David Foster Wallace, and that makes his early departure from us even more terrible to bear.

My thoughts go out to his friends and family, who were lucky enough to know him and love him.

We lose everyone good.

Somehow When I Wasn’t Looking This Turned Into A Political Blog…

September 14, 2008 in politics | 5 comments

I don’t know why this has happened, but apparently I’ve got a lot to say (and to link to) and so I’m just going to try to get it out of my system. If you’re not into politics and you came here looking for comics, please just bear with me…comics will be back shortly.

Let’s start with the easy stuff…

As if there weren’t enough reasons to love Jon Stewart, take a look at this clip from a recent episode that talked about republican hypocrisy. Why does a comedy show have less spin these days than political and “real” news programs? Something is wrong with this country when I have to get my comedy AND my truth from the same show.

If Jon Stewart and Janeane Garofalo (the link is to her on Bill Maher 9/12) had a child it would be the most brilliant wonderful perfect being ever…like Jesus even, assuming I believed in Jesus. Salman Rushdie isn’t bad either (also from Bill Maher 9/12). I can usually do without Bill Maher and all his womanizing borderline sexist crap (Maher calling Sarah Palin a stewardess, though it may be a bit funny, is really not, and is definitely not helping us), but with his vocal support of Barak Obama this year I’m slowly coming over to the dark side…

Also, while I never thought in a million years I would link to something on The View (suffice to say I’m not a fan), I was surprisingly impressed with their interview of John McCain, it was less softball than I would have thought, and McCain (I believe) comes off very badly (yay!). He seems to be searching for answers, brusque, rude, and full of lies and misinformation (shocking). So let’s link to it! It was also a good reminder that Barbara Walters was once a woman with more to her than just The View – it would be good to see her get back to that. FYI – part three with Cindy McCain is the least interesting and hard hitting of the segments.

The View Part I

The View Part II

The View Part III

One of the many lies being floated in the McCain campaign about Palin is her “maverick” status – the fact that she came in and defeated the “boys club” in Alaska and brought reform. It may be true that she defeated the “boys club”, but as far as bringing reform, it is blatantly obvious to anyone looking (assuming they want the truth) that she simply took over and replaced the existing corrupt system with her own vendetta driven corrupt system. Here’s a good article that outlines some of the corruption, from hiring old school friends to important legislative positions to intimidating bloggers; firing and trying to fire various people including a librarian who was not open to her book banning plans; to simply misusing budget funds and lying about cutting spending. No, she didn’t fire the chef, she just reassigned the chef.

Do I care if she fired the chef? Hell no, but I do care that she lied/is lying about it. And maybe even more importantly that she thinks the American people are stupid enough to take her word for it simply because she’s a woman that calls herself a maverick. You know what? If Palin can call herself a maverick and a reformer…then I’m going to start calling myself thin…I wonder how many people will believe it, despite the fact that they can see just from looking at me that I am clearly NOT thin. Why does this work for her and not me? Perhaps because she has a giant political spin machine and the desperation of a people determined to steal another election behind her? Hmm…perhaps.

And if you haven’t seen Palin’s incredibly underwhelming (and quite frankly alarmingly frightening) interview with Charlie Gibson (who wasn’t my first choice, but I think did a pretty exceptional job across the board) then check out both the video and transcript here.

Are we really prepared to have another four years of someone that does not know how to pronounce the word NUCLEAR? C’MON! And why doesn’t she know what the Bush Doctrine is? I KNOW what the Bush Doctrine is and I’m a freaking office manager. Do we want me running the country? Hell no – we want someone WAY smarter and more informed that me…I’m just a FREAKING OFFICE MANAGER. We can’t let her anywhere near leadership of the free world. It will be our undoing.

Moving back to the horror that has become John McCain, a guy I at least used to think was somewhat interesting as a candidate, many many years ago. Check out clips of McCain contradicting himself again and again. Is this stupidity or lies? Which is worse? I have to say, I think it’s lies, if only because of the blatant lies that have been used recently to slander Obama (lipstick on a pig? He wasn’t talking about Palin – he was freaking talking about McCain’s Economic Policy – even Bill O’Reilly – horror that he is – knows this!) and to attempt to cover up/excuse Palin’s obviously non-stellar record in office.

Lastly, why is nobody talking about the abortion issue in more concrete terms. I think Palin’s family, and especially her children should certainly be off limits, and I have no real opinion about her seventeen year-old daughter Bristol’s decision to have her child, but I think it is INSULTING that Palin wants to ignore the fact that it is Roe v Wade (and years of men and women fighting for reproductive rights) that gives Bristol the right to DECIDE that for herself (or to have her family and the GOP decide it for her – whichever it was). Why does nobody care about this? Why is nobody talking about this?! When a Vice Presidential candidate gets on a stage and makes a speech in which she says that her daughter has made a DECISION to keep her unborn child, but that same Vice Presidential candidate is actually AGAINST CHOICE…I see that as maybe the biggest most horrible hole in all of this talk we’re having. I guess there’s just too much drama and scandal to go around…no time for the real horrible facts.

In summary, I plead to the youth of this country, that I know for a fact are largely behind Barak Obama. You must get out and vote. I believe you will be the vote that matters this time around (you were possibly the vote that mattered the last two elections and largely didn’t show up) and hey, I get it…you have class that day, or you forgot it was Tuesday, or you don’t have a job to go to so that you can easily swing by your voting location on the way in to work, or you forgot to register, I get it all…but I cannot stress how important it is that you do whatever it takes to get into that booth this year. I believe Salman Rushdie and Janeane Garofalo in the clip above where they say that in the end they don’t even think this election is going to be close – that they believe Obama is going to take it easily, but do you know why they believe that? They believe that because they believe that YOU are going to come out and vote on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008.

We need you youth. I’m telling you, we need you. We already have all the great older people (seriously), the ones who can’t stand to see this country going to hell, but we need you, we know you feel the same way, so do whatever you have to – have a voting party the night before and all go to vote together, write that shit on you hand (or your face) with a sharpie, whatever it takes, just get there. It’s your country, let’s fix the hell out of it, and let’s make history at the same time, no only by voting in Obama as the United State’s first black president, but by the youth coming out and actually voting in record numbers.

This Article Is Too Good Not To Be Reposted EVERYWHERE

September 10, 2008 in politics | Permalink

I don’t know if I’ve ever read an article that as clearly articulated EXACTLY what I am feeling as the article below, and I’ve felt that way a few times, but this one takes the cake.

I promise this blog is not turning into a “political blog”, we will return to our “regularly scheduled programming” soon, but there is too much important and loaded stuff happening in politics right now that it’s making it hard for me to just put my head down and draw some pointless comics.

Please read:  We’re Gonna Frickin’ Lose This Thing by Adam McKay.

Trying To Get Past The RNC PR Spin Machine (and the slander) To Figure Out Who Sarah Palin Really Is

September 4, 2008 in politics | 8 comments

Anyone who is trying to figure out who Sarah Palin really is (like I am) since she could be our next freaking president should read the link below now. 

Letter from an informed (and concerned) citizen that is intimately familiar with Sarah Palin and her history.

As A Woman, I Find Myself Totally Offended…

August 30, 2008 in misogynistic bullshit, politics | 2 comments

I know I’ve stayed pretty clear of politics on this blog, and for good reason, but the one-two punch of American politics of the last two days has left me reeling – first the amazing highs of Obama’s DNC speech on Thursday and then on Friday the utter ridiculousness of the lows of Sarah Palin’s nomination to the second most powerful seat in the country…simply because she’s a woman.

And so I step away from my writing (I’m doing horribly by the way – still need to write like 190 pages by Tuesday) because I feel the need to at least say something – or more accurately – to link to people who are REALLY saying something about this horrible development. So here are a couple excellent links to articles and blogs about Sarah Palin and her complete and utter lack of experience and ability to be elected as the Vice President…one tiny McCain heart attack away from being the leader of the free world…

As a woman, a woman who loves Obama, but truth be told was originally pulling for Hillary, I am OFFENDED by McCain’s game of trying to trick us “silly women folk” into voting for a bitch just because she’s a bitch. Don’t assume McCain that because I’m prettier and younger than you that I don’t know the difference between voting for a strong and responsible candidate who can maybe begin to make a difference in this ailing country of ours and voting for woman simply because…”Hey look! I’m a woman too!” So insulting. This is a condescending slap in the face to all women everywhere and we’re WAY too smart to fall for this, especially when you actually alert us to exactly what you’re doing in your speech Ms. Palin…don’t ever dare to compare yourself to Hillary Clinton again. You’re not remotely in the same league.

A great account by an Alaskan – very informative

Daily Kos has an ongoing list of the reasons why Palin is unqualified, some of them are just Republican things that don’t necessarily make her unfit (unless you’re like me) but it’s still worth a read if you’re trying to learn about the total unknown that is Palin

The VP Choice That Lost McCain The Election

The Worst Vice-Presidential Nominee in U.S. Histor

Palin:  You’re no Hillary Clinton

And if you need to be inspired after all that insanity, go back and watch Obama again:

Barak’s DNC Speech

Writing Submissions Phase II

August 27, 2008 in cartoons, query letters, short fiction, short fiction submissions, writing | Permalink

So I’ve submitted a “Phase II” round of short fiction submissions, sad that at 32 I’m only in Phase II, but what can you do? Nothing that’s what. A few more contests and publications I’m interested in open up for submissions in September and so I’ll be adding a few to the pile, but in the meantime cross your fingers for all my precious little short fiction babies out there in the big bad world…

There are four submissions currently out, two that were submitted in May and two submitted in August. There are another two to four that will go out for submission in September. Eight would be a good ratio – if I can get to eight we’ll be looking good. And then, depending on how long it takes me to finish a decent polish on my novel redraft and how long it takes my excellent readers to read and comment, and how long it takes me to revise (that’s a lot of “how longs”) I hope sometime in early winter to begin seriously re-querying agents for my novel. And so we will then be able to begin the sad and desperate ‘Query Letter Tracking Posts’ again…

Actually, technically I still have one agent that requested a full that never got back to me…maybe I should email them…hmmm…

#201 ~ Rabid Lamb Comics

August 26, 2008 in cartoons, comic of the day, comics, writing | 6 comments

Ah, the sleep talking Adam returns.  Good times.  I really am not complaining about this, because it is one of the genuinely funny things going on in my life these days (sad, but true).  So talk on Adam, talk on you crazy sleeptalker.

As for Rabid Lamb this week, I will continue posting all week, but there may not be comics until next week.  I’ve put myself under major re-write pressure now through September 1st and while it is unlikely I can actually finish, I have made some serious progress in the last four days and I feel I owe it to myself to really focus on that. 

But have no fear, comics will resume shortly in all their non glory…

« Older entries § Newer entries »