Per my usual slow-going custom, I am currently reading two books. The first (and much longer of the two) is Modern Times: The World from the Twenties to the Nineties by Paul Johnson. I am on page 306 of 784. It is my "work book" which generally only gets read on breaks and at lunch during the work week. I've been working on it for a good month.

The second is The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad by Fareed Zakaria. It's my "home book" and is a much shorter book that's being read much faster. This book is getting a lot of major media play because of the whole post-war Iraq angle that its very relevent to. Its main thrust is that, quite often, people confuse democracy and liberty (for example, Hitler was a freely elected leader). I know that was a clumsy explanation but if its sounds interesting you should read the book.

If I don't get over this feeling like my head is going to explode soon, my head may very well explode.

Last night I went out to buy Catherine Irwin's solo record and had one of those great cosmic moments when I find something I actually was planning to buy in the used bin. Sometimes you find good stuff in there, but rarely do you find the exact record you came into the store to buy.

I discovered last night (while making sure my suit still fit me - it does - barely) that I don't own any ties. Its funny how a year and a half after our house burned down I'm still discovering things that didn't make it out. Its not uncommon for me to pick up something or to go through a stack of old junk and have my hands come out covered with soot from things I rescued from the house.

Hitch strikes again. Christopher Hitchens may be wrong on a great many things but not this.

I think this may very well be the funniest and smartest thing I've ever see in the Onion.

Have you seen Scratch? Its a documentary about the evolution of DJ culture and turntablism.

You know, there's something comforting about "classic" albums that really live up to the label. There's a reason they're known as such. When you hear the White Album or Something Else by The Kinks you know its something special that'll last. Right now I'm listening to A Love Supreme on my headphones at work and it puts the world right. Life is that much better with a little Coltrane in your ear.

"Perhaps we cannot make this a world in which children are no longer tortured. But we can reduce the number of tortured children," - Albert Camus.

"The prison in question was inspected by my team in Jan. 1998. It appeared to be a prison for children - toddlers up to pre-adolescents - whose only crime was to be the offspring of those who have spoken out politically against the regime of Saddam Hussein. It was a horrific scene. Actually I'm not going to describe what I saw there because what I saw was so horrible that it can be used by those who would want to promote war with Iraq, and right now I'm waging peace." - Scott Ritter, Time Magazine

stolen from www.andrewsullivan.com

God, I love Christopher Hitchens. I don't always agree with the guy (in fact, not much generally speaking) but I always admire his style, wit and willingness to call anyone on their bullshit. Check out his book, Letters to a Young Contrarian.

So this thing finally decided to update. I thought I broke something.

and add to that (minus the promo part) The Baptist Generals' No SIlver/No Gold

A couple pleasant surprises from the roommate's promo stash.

1) Danielson Famile - A Prayer for Every Hour - This is their/his first record that has been recently re-released. A few years ago I listen one of their later efforts and couldn't get into it but this one is utterly innocent and charming. That's one damn squeaky voice.

2) Destroyer - This Night - Another band that I'd tried before but could get into. Kinda Bowie vs claustrophobic Neil Young vs GBV. Also another squeaky voice. The third song, Here Comes the Night, is great.