Bob’s Blog

I still maintain my theory that people just generally get dumber when they use the internet, whether it’s by someone else being a dumbass and bringing down everyone else, or just reading something completely ridiculous and off the wall (both of which, go hand in hand many times).

Ah well.

I want a drink. I want fifty drinks. I want a bottle of the purest, strongest, most destructive, most poisonous alcohol on Earth. I want fifty bottles of it. I want crack, dirty and yellow and filled with formaldehyde. I want a pile of powder meth, five hundred hits of acid, a garbage bag filled with mushrooms, a tube of glue bigger than a truck, a pool of gas large enough to drown in. I want something anything whatever however as much as I can.

This book was originally recommended to me by a good friend about a month or so ago. I had originally passed on it. I’ve been through my share of severe alcoholism and drug abuse, by both family and friends. It’s not something I’m really interested in reliving, or wanting to read about.

I then reconsidered, and bought it last weekend. There’s been a lot of controversy about it, and what’s real and what isn’t. It’s been backed by Oprah and her bookclub, but she now “regrets” the decision (although I honestly doubt that) Is it a memoir? Is it all bullshit? Is it fiction? Is it non fiction? Is it all of that?

Let me just say, that I’ve seen what The Smoking Gun has reported. I know what Oprah has said. And, you know, what they’ve reported is fairly damning. He exagerrated, he altered some of the people, including himself in the book, he made up things, and all in all – juiced up his story.

And, to be honest, I really have no problem with it. We all exagerate, and we all juice up our stories to make them funnier, interesting, etc. and for Oprah to be “upset” about that and humiliate the author, James Frey, on national television reeks of hypocrisy and irony (especially considering if you dig through all the books she recommends, you’re bound to find lies, stretches of truth, etc. Nobody is going to be 100% truthful in these types of books, especially when money is involved)

Truth be told – none of that takes away from the central premise of the story: A severe alcoholic and drug abuser over coming his addictions and regaining his life. The allegations are more or less much ado about nothiong. It’s a memoir, and despite some of the claims made by some, including Oprah, it’s not been advertised as non-fiction, or anything like that. It’s under “Memoirs” and “Literature”. It is what it is, and you can take it for what it’s worth.

If we’re going to get critical on something – then the Smoking Gun should start getting critical on a lot of other things in this country and our society instead of a book that was eaten up by Oprah and her fans, both of who will turn on you at the switch of a light.

The book is incredibly gripping. It is intense. It, depsite all of the above mentioned things, is still rather brutally honest and blunt about alcoholism, drug abuse, religion, and life. The writing style is differant. And the story will immediately suck you in. The storytelling is interesting, and when reading about parts such as his visit to the dentist, or the way he treats his parents, you can’t help but cringe. The incredible, and vicious attacks on AA, Twelve Steps and religion will make you think. And you can’t help but admire his attitude of, “it is not a disease. It is a simple choice. I can either drink, or not.”

The book is an emotional rollercoaster. You will want to cheer for him. You will think he is a completely self centered jackass. You’ll laugh. And chances are, you’re going to be sad about what happens to certain people in the book. With all of the things people are saying, it doesn’t take away the fact that a good book is a good book. And this is a good book.

It, without question, is the best book I’ve ever read. I couldn’t put it down, and I really cannot wait to get started on his follow up, My Friend Leonard.

David Letterman ain’t got shit on this list.

It should be noted, that it is from Common Dreams, so, obviously – you’re going to get liberal bias. And, of course, you’ll scratch your head about such news stories as journalists being in danger when they report (of course when you’re in a war zone, you’re going to have your life at risk. And you shouldn’t necessarily beg the Pentagon, a military institution that has nothing to do with the media, for safety when you willingly go there), and the eroding of civil rights is 1) nothing new during wartime and 2) is not really being censored all that much if you really think about it (see: wiretapping).

That does not mean, however, that those two reasons justify it.

But, give it a read anyways. I thought it was interesting. Especially the Oil For Food scandal (and not what FOX News has been reporting for months now). And, with the war taking place, it’s good to be aware of Iraqi casualties. We’re not losing just American lives here.

The other day, I finally met up with my co-op teacher. Real nice guy, and I think this semester will go rather smoothly and well, in regards to classroom visitation days. He’s from Ashtabula (Cleveland area) and he’s a die-hard Browns and Indians fan.

We’re going to get along, to say the least.

I don’t like hotel beds. Then again, who does? I’m reminded of the episode of Seinfeld when George and Jerry stay at a hotel, and George cannot sleep because the covers are too tight and the bed is too stiff.

I’m George.

Someone should write to these hotels and resorts and tell them to get better beds.

I think I’m coming down with something. I’ve been constantly sneezing and coughing all day. My lungs hurt. My throat is sore. I started feeling it the other day, and now it seems to be picking up. Guess I shouldn’t have been standing outside the balcony last night for a while without a coat. Oops. Then again, I probably got it from someone. Because it seems like it’s *that* time of the year again.

I have a confession to make: I don’t like Oprah. I never have, and most likely never will. And her making a complete and utter fool of herself while absolutely going out of her way to humiliate James Frey the other day doesn’t help her case with me (by the way, book review coming up soon). I’ve always gotten the impression that she has a huge ego, always on a power trip, relies on PR and her audience on what should and should not be approved, and has to tell the entire world of her good deeds. Not taking away from the great things she has done – she just really rubs me the wrong way and I don’t like how she often handles herself. This episode with Frey making my case for me. Much of her audience bugs me too. They just seem to eat up whatever she says, promotes, and does.

She could be president of the world with ease. Joking? Maybe.

I am just half tempted at this point to get rid of those AIM boxes that pop up whenever someone signs off, on, goes away, etc. completely. I turned some of them off already, like when people go idle. But, geezus. The multiple names absolutely kill me and my screen. I can’t handle it anymore. One more reason why AOL is evil.

It seems like I can count on very few people anymore. You would think things would change, but, they don’t. I give up.

About a year ago, I walked past this protest that was going on in front of the student union. I stopped to see what all of the fuss about, it surely being one regarding something George Bush did (it was). I see what’s up, and this really cute girl starts talking to me. I inquire what’s going on, she explains. Bush is evil, we need to incorporate full fledged socialism into our society, she is going on and on and on. I do some defending of capitalism, she buries me some more with socialism. About half way through, I stop listening but I’m still there because she’s so darn cute.

We continue to talk, I give her my number, I tell her to call me.

For the next two weeks, I am bombarded with phone calls saying I need to go to Cleveland and Detroit to see political activist Lyndon LaRouche (quite, frankly, I think the guy is a nut). She wouldn’t stop calling me. I basically quit answering my phone for about a week.

So what is the purpose of this? Just don’t be fooled by pretty looks. Because underneathe those sweet eyes and soft cheeks lies a cold hearted, Godless, pinko Commie.

I really couldn’t think of a 25th one. So, here’s 24 albums I pretty much can’t live without. And then, maybe in the next few days I’ll do my favorite books + movies.

As always, feel free to list your own or give me some recommendations.

Everclear – Sparkle and Fade
Metallica – Load, St. Anger, Ride The Lightning
Matthew Good – Rooms, Avalanche, Beautiful Midnight
Mike Doughty/Soul Coughing – Skittish, El Oso
Led Zeppelin – I, II
U2 – The Joshua Tree
Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Like Bad News
Talking Heads – Remain in Light
Wilco – Yankee Foxtrot Hotel
Andrew W.K. – I Get Wet
Rancid – …And Out Come The Wolves, Rancid (2000)
The Hives – Tyrannosaurus Hives
John Mayer – Heavier Things
Atmosphere – godlovesugly
Sage Francis – Healthy Distrust
The Ramones – The Ramones
The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds

I’m trying to make a good effort in reading again. Not reading for school, or classes. But rather for just pure enjoyment. It’s been hampered the past few years because of school, and you tend to hate reading anything after awhile because of the work.

I’ve started reading A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. It’s a memoir of his 6 weeks in rehab and his struggle to regain his life after spending his entire life up until that point being an alcoholic and crack addict. It’s been in the news lately because the Smoking Gun reports that some parts of the story are embellished, or made up. It’s probably only getting this attention because it is on Oprah’s Book Club (she still stands by Frey and what he wrote).

Of course, none of what they’re saying has anything to do with his time in rehab or what he did (the entire basis of the book, practically), but rather frivilous police reports and other things that really don’t make or break the story. And, regardless of what they say, a good book is a good book, and this is probably the best book I’ve ever read, and I’m only a third of the way through it.

I’ll give a full review of it in the coming days. But, do yourself a favor and look into it. It’s incredibly real, and brutally honest.

And this is why I hate people most of the time.

UPDATE: Apparently, Natalie Portman also wore a dress someone else already wore.

Clearly, the world is in complete disarray now. Someone, please. Put an end to these horrible, horrible tragedies. What next? Jennifer Aniston wearing the same pair of shoes that Angela Jolie does?

Someone call the UN on this shit before it gets too out of hand.

I think it’s completely and utterly amazing what the Internet can do to a lot of people.

You give people a little bit of anonymity, and the next thing you know, you have grown adults who act like they’re 14 year old freshman in high school. So sad.