The Amazing Adventures
I am reading a new book. That's right, I am back to reading. I can only hand so much iPod video games and/or staring at hot chicks on the subway for so long. So I decided it was time to hit up the local Barnes and Nobel and buy myself a new book to read on the subway. As we all know, I am not one for reading, or even really knowing what to read. I try to avoid conversations about books, not because I don't want to know what people have to say, I just don't want to come off sounding like a retard, because, what do I know about books anyway. It's the same reason I avoid conversations about rocket science, brain surgury and satisfying sexual relationships. The informaiton I do get about books are from over hearing others, seeing what people are actually reading on my commute/at the office, and from what the magazines I read tell me. It was there that I was re-introduced to Michael Chabon. Michael is an author I had heard of before, and was told he is an author I would enjoy, especially his book "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay". He recently released a new book called "The Yiddish Policeman's Union" and because of it, last weeks Entertinament Weekly ran a featured interview with Chabon as well as a review of the Book in it's book section. Both the interview and the review made the project sound amazing, and other reviews I looked up sounded equally as praising. I also came to learn that Chabon was one of the scribes behind the script to "Spider-Man 2" (even though only a 3rd of his draft actually made it into production). Also the author of film adapted books Wonder Boys (2000, staring Michael Douglas) and the soon to be released The Mysteries of Pittsburg (starring Peter Sarsguard). Having heard all of this, got me really excited to start reading Michael's work. The premiss of his new book is also quite fascinating. Basically it plays off the background story that instead of being relocated to Israel in 1948, the Jews were relocated to a remote part of Alaska (an actual original plan of the United Nations). I believe the story takes place in modern times, in Alaska, if that background was true.
So I hiked it over to Barnes and Noble on yesterday's "it's too nice outside to have lunch in the office" lunch break, to peruse the new releases. There was a prominant display promoting "Yiddish Policemen", but obviously sincec it was a new release it was only in hardcover. You don't have to read books all the time to know that hardcover = pricey book, and I am not a collector, wealthy person, or avid reader, so a hardcover is never something I go out and get, but have recieved in gift form. So I went to see what might be new in paperback. Right there in the New Fiction section there was "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" with it's shinny Pulitzer Prize stamp glaring at me off the cover. The cover itself donned a drawing of mid-town Manhattan like something out of a 1940's comic book, further emphasized by the title resbling a classic comicbook title font and a mock-discheviled look of a comic book rescued from your father's childhood closet in your grandparent's house. At $15 and over 600 pages, (none of which containing drawings or large font) seemed like a great buy for an actual adult book. As of now I am only about 50 or so pages into it, and so far there is some great character development, which I could only expect from a book that long. I also feel obliged to note that the protagonists in this book are Jewish. One, second (or third) generation off the boat, Brooklyn born (Klayson, or Clay); and the other directly off the boat rescued from Chekoslovakia (Kavalier). Both characters are literally thrown together right off the bat before we start to learn of Kavaliers tough-as-nails journey to America. Jewish protagonists apparently being a common theme in Chabon's books, I guess since he is also Jewish.
I bring this point up because I find it interesting as why I might be drawn to a book (or movie, or TV show, or anything else for that matter). It's strange, but when I hear a character (protagonist or antagonist) is Jewish, I almost instinctually want to know more about that person, and will give it a better chance above others. It's strange. i really can't explain it. I guess it's all part of having a cultural identity, you always want to find more and more connections to be made in your life, collecting more and more pieces to create almost a perfect identity. I kind of like to feel like the connections are endless in possibilities and sources, but at the same time, I feel like I am missing out on other things. There are very few things, that when a connection is drawn, give me the same feeling of "belonging" as I do when I draw a connection to mention of Jews or being Jewish. Like an unexpect Yiddish joke, or the mention of a character's bar mitzvah will often elisit a great reaction from me. The only other thing that comes close is when I think about comic books, cartoons, great chefs, and great film makers. It's the only time where my connection to Jewdaism is barely equalled. Do other people with other cultural connections feel this way? Do other Jews feel this way, even if their cultural connections are not as strong, or maybe if they are stronger, do they still feel differently? It's an interesting conversation to have I am sure.
This weekend should be exciting. Going to see the Sim Redmond Band tonight, and then tomorrow night going to eat some Dinosaur Barbecue with Dave Brooke et al., and then on Sunday sharing a mother's day brunch with my sudo family the Canfields.
Also, my little sister was in the hospital recently, due to complications with a fear of needles. Basically she was diagnosed a month ago with arthritis in her hands and feet (at 16). She was originally told that after a week of prescription meds, over-the-counter anti-inflamitories would be enough if her hands and feet ever started acting up. Then about a week or so ago, she was told that wouldn't be enough, and she would have to give herself shots of prescription medication to help her with her condition. My little sister, much like her older brothers and father, has a pretty weak stomach when it comes to needles. I myself can't even see a fake needle on TV without wincing. So two days ago, my sister was in the kitchen and (I don't know the details at this point) she apparently fainted, hitting her head on the tile floor. Yesterday she was taken to the hospital when it was realized she had a concusion. She went home today and seems to be doing fine, but is not allowed to do any kind of strenuous physical activity for the next couple of weeks. So if you know my sister, send her some love, I am sure she could use it.
So I hiked it over to Barnes and Noble on yesterday's "it's too nice outside to have lunch in the office" lunch break, to peruse the new releases. There was a prominant display promoting "Yiddish Policemen", but obviously sincec it was a new release it was only in hardcover. You don't have to read books all the time to know that hardcover = pricey book, and I am not a collector, wealthy person, or avid reader, so a hardcover is never something I go out and get, but have recieved in gift form. So I went to see what might be new in paperback. Right there in the New Fiction section there was "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" with it's shinny Pulitzer Prize stamp glaring at me off the cover. The cover itself donned a drawing of mid-town Manhattan like something out of a 1940's comic book, further emphasized by the title resbling a classic comicbook title font and a mock-discheviled look of a comic book rescued from your father's childhood closet in your grandparent's house. At $15 and over 600 pages, (none of which containing drawings or large font) seemed like a great buy for an actual adult book. As of now I am only about 50 or so pages into it, and so far there is some great character development, which I could only expect from a book that long. I also feel obliged to note that the protagonists in this book are Jewish. One, second (or third) generation off the boat, Brooklyn born (Klayson, or Clay); and the other directly off the boat rescued from Chekoslovakia (Kavalier). Both characters are literally thrown together right off the bat before we start to learn of Kavaliers tough-as-nails journey to America. Jewish protagonists apparently being a common theme in Chabon's books, I guess since he is also Jewish.
I bring this point up because I find it interesting as why I might be drawn to a book (or movie, or TV show, or anything else for that matter). It's strange, but when I hear a character (protagonist or antagonist) is Jewish, I almost instinctually want to know more about that person, and will give it a better chance above others. It's strange. i really can't explain it. I guess it's all part of having a cultural identity, you always want to find more and more connections to be made in your life, collecting more and more pieces to create almost a perfect identity. I kind of like to feel like the connections are endless in possibilities and sources, but at the same time, I feel like I am missing out on other things. There are very few things, that when a connection is drawn, give me the same feeling of "belonging" as I do when I draw a connection to mention of Jews or being Jewish. Like an unexpect Yiddish joke, or the mention of a character's bar mitzvah will often elisit a great reaction from me. The only other thing that comes close is when I think about comic books, cartoons, great chefs, and great film makers. It's the only time where my connection to Jewdaism is barely equalled. Do other people with other cultural connections feel this way? Do other Jews feel this way, even if their cultural connections are not as strong, or maybe if they are stronger, do they still feel differently? It's an interesting conversation to have I am sure.
This weekend should be exciting. Going to see the Sim Redmond Band tonight, and then tomorrow night going to eat some Dinosaur Barbecue with Dave Brooke et al., and then on Sunday sharing a mother's day brunch with my sudo family the Canfields.
Also, my little sister was in the hospital recently, due to complications with a fear of needles. Basically she was diagnosed a month ago with arthritis in her hands and feet (at 16). She was originally told that after a week of prescription meds, over-the-counter anti-inflamitories would be enough if her hands and feet ever started acting up. Then about a week or so ago, she was told that wouldn't be enough, and she would have to give herself shots of prescription medication to help her with her condition. My little sister, much like her older brothers and father, has a pretty weak stomach when it comes to needles. I myself can't even see a fake needle on TV without wincing. So two days ago, my sister was in the kitchen and (I don't know the details at this point) she apparently fainted, hitting her head on the tile floor. Yesterday she was taken to the hospital when it was realized she had a concusion. She went home today and seems to be doing fine, but is not allowed to do any kind of strenuous physical activity for the next couple of weeks. So if you know my sister, send her some love, I am sure she could use it.