Monday, March 24, 2008

novels for scavengers


I recently found the titles of a couple books I read several years ago. I can't say I'm organized enough to keep track of all the books that come and go through my life, unfortunately. I also have no idea as I'm reading something how it will stick with me. It doesn't seem to be apparent at the time of reading. A side effect of that then, is that many books that I may perceive as 'disposable' may end up being signifigant somehow. But they are lost. Every now and then I'll find them again on some thriftstore shelf or yahoo search and be happy. I recently re-found a couple that I should recommend.


Both are centered in the world of flea markets, thriftstores, and junking in general, but the plots (thankfully) have a lot more to offer. I can't say these are 'serious' fiction by any stretch, but they both are worthy and lingered with me.



Second Hand, by Michael Zadoorian, isbn 0393047970


There are some hilarious lines here. There's a pathetically-detailed description of a retro liquor service--a bowling ball featuring a tiny bowler that somehow ascends out of the ball--that killed me. The main character is a junker obsessed, and against the mainstream and conservative ideas of the people around him, it's just the funniest thing ever.


Collectors, by Paul Griner


This is somewhat of a thriller, but the quiet desperation that seems to manifest with fountain pen and binoculars collecting is an interesting device for character development. Anyone who collects or sells random, esoteric paraphenalia will identify.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Lonely is as lonely does...

Lonely is an eyesore.

This first video is one of my favorite songs and videos ever. It's barely music--it is somehow transcendant. My best friend Monique aquired a compilation album called Lonely is an Eyesore around 1987 or so, and this song, 'Fish' was on it. I don't know if it was every released on any other Throwing Muses album--I can't find it anywhere. They used to play the video on 120 minutes. Some wonderful person somehow has found it and posted in on youtube. 1+2+3+4+5+6+6+6+6+6+6....
If I could get one of those recorded message things attached to my gravestone, I would want the noise she makes at 4:06-4:09 to be the message. If I wasn't immortal I mean.



This one below is extrememly hard to find. It's a great video, and even better song. Monique and I saw this video on 120 minutes or Nightflight, and went to 'World Records' in Topeka soon after, and quite unbelievably, she found the 12 inch LP. She had the BEST music luck in the world. Except for the unmentionable "Crucifux" incident in Kansas City that should probably not be explained in full. I'll just say my mother's 'omen' prevented me from being present, and a 'wire wisk', van, and the movie Faster Pussycat Kill Kill and a couch were involved. Although maybe that was good luck after all. Also, being the parent of a teen now, I'm not sure my mother's omen had to do so much with psychic phenomena--perhaps hearing the name of the band "crucifux" may have had a bit to do with it.


Find more videos like this on Loud Old Guys

Saturday, March 15, 2008

The Eightiest thing in the world...



I don't exactly remember this song on the radio, but they use to play this video on Nightflight sometimes. We used to mock it relentlessly.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

My Own Private Girl on Mars


Here's my latest column at Binnall of America. It's about pareidolia, the signifier and the signified, and the recent figure on Mars meme.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Feet of Flames



Wondering if anyone else on the planet remembers this Tenpole Tudor song. My friend Mika used to play it incessantly as we drove around Topeka. These guys strike me now as kind of sha-na-na. What a hilarious spectacle; the guy is about to Riverdance.