Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Book 'em, Dano...
I’m first! What do I win?
I gotta tip that Mickey was up and about so I thought I’d check in before heading off to bed. Time zones are weird.
Ok, I’ll vote for Fight Club. Don’t know if I can get my hands on a copy but I’ll fake it if I can’t!
I wonder if Sharon’s stroke was an answer to prayer?
Hey Jos and Mudge.Damn, you must get up early, Mickey
Posted by Jim on from 01/05 at 06:30 AMI’ve nearly finished Fight Club now, and unless the ending really sucks I’ll nominate it.
captcha - “men”, hehe
Posted by Mew on from England 01/05 at 07:20 AMMorning MZ, Jim, Mew, Welcome to Hawk Sr. (from last night - hope the Zinnnnns fared you well)and GOOD morning to JOS. Mudge - happy packing again today I hope. Joe, still dry and your neighbour still walking and breathing? And of course a good day to all the Expendables…
The Dubya quote gave me a nice chuckle this morning. (I heard the voice of Homer Simpson:’What a rube”. If gwb weren’t in a position of power I could say that ‘at least he’s good for a laugh’ but it’s just not funny when he makes arrangements resulting in this much death; so a little chuckle is all he gets.
I’ll have to see about getting a copy of fight club now. I’ll try the couple of used stores but it might just have to be the library.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 01/05 at 08:30 AMsaw this on another blog and just had to post it here. this was the ahem, proportionate response by a lot of police to a few south korean protestors.
i am happy with fight club too.
Posted by michael on from scotland 01/05 at 08:39 AMMornin’ Jim, Mew, Amelopis, michael, Mickey, and all others. I hope I can fit “Fight Club” in my schedule. Sounds good.
I just read Joe’s #60 comment from last night....about people doing harm because it is just their job. I have thought about that topic for years. Had planned to write an article, maybe someday I will get to it. In the meantime what we need to combat “it was just my job” syndrome is a national/international Robin Hood Day. We need a day when workers would do the right thing instead of conforming to sadistic job descriptions. I am thinking about not only members of the military, but also those who work for insurance companies and deny claims, bureaucrats and bean counters, teachers, lawyers, doctors, legislators...anyone who makes decisions that impact the lives of others. Maybe Robin Hood was a man before his time by popularizing the principles of Nuremberg before they were written????Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/05 at 08:59 AMDamn that Captcha finally got me with a typo!
I’d prattled on at length about how a single day for good deeds would allow us to feel good about ‘things’ for a day and be innefective the other 364 days of the year.
But, I still say that your idea is a good one Rosemarie; we need to be mindful and a designated day would certainly do that.Will someone at hallmark open the bidding for verses for a new line of cards?? If so, will they be giving them away as their contribution to the day??
My favourite Robin Hood is the 1938 old style cheeeeeese; so as Errol Flynn said: “Men, if you’re willing to fight for our people, I want you!”
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 01/05 at 09:22 AMEmpress dear, given Errol’s ahmmmm private proclivities, one much wonder if that didn’t have a double meaning....
Hi to JOS, and general felicitations. RMJ, I like the idea of a Robin Hood Day, so what shall we propose? one BIG day, or make it a kind of “act-of-conscience” day to be applied by the individual at random, unfindable intervals so as to sneak it past the Cerberus of Capital?
I’m packing and generally dithering around today. My sister’s not quite as pleased today as she was yesterday that I plan to come there, because her house is full of adult children and she’s the main support of the group. I’m wondering now if I shouldn’t go there only briefly, and ask my stepmother for sanctuary...much to consider. I’ll drop in later and see how Pahlahniuk’s doing in the votes. BTW, yes that’s me chiming in, yes.
Posted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 01/05 at 10:09 AMMorning Mudge, Have you considered wearing a hair shirt rather than live with any relatives? It might be easier pennance! Glad to hear that you’re getting some dithering in with the packing, it’s infinitely more enjoyable.
As for Errol double entendre - I’m sure that he enjoyed mincing about the stage and swinging into frame on ropes wearing those green tights more than we’ll ever know.
Who wouldn’t!?Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 01/05 at 10:53 AM“Fight Club” works for me. In fact, inspired by the quotes from it recently on this very site I decided I should read it, so the timing is just a little bit frightening in its coincidentalossity. Please don’t start too soon, as I am presently about two-thirds of the way through “In Cold Blood,” an Xmas gift from the friend with whom I went to see “Capote.”
I hope all the Expendables are doing okay this day with their various involuntary life changesPosted by Rev Joe on from 01/05 at 10:57 AMMudge’s # 7....I don’t know. I sort thought of Robin Hood Day as one great big, in-your-face day of defiance against the establishment, to be followed up with less public, private acts of deviance on a continuing basis. Part of this “action” must be public if there is to be any hope of educating those who make decisions that are harmful to the lives of others. Think about how many times someone has said to you, “but that’s always the way it’s been done” or used some other mundane excuse to justify the abuse of someone else. We have to change the culture....... You can call me a dreamer, but I’m not the only one....
Mudge, good luck with the packing. Someone once said that moving is as traumatic as divorce.
Hi Rev Joe and JOS
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/05 at 11:15 AMBooks are a narcotic—Kafka
Love it!
When I gave up narcotics of all shapes and dosages some ten years ago, I replaced them with my original love: books. It’s the toughest drug for me to kick, and I may just surrender to my addiction....
As for Rev. Joe’s suggestion that we wait a little before we start Fight Club, I second the notion. I’m coming up on the halfway point of Rebecca West’s second novel, The Judge, and will need at least until Saturday to finish it. I do have Fight Club on an accessible shelf, though.
Dame Rebecca was quite a woman, by the way....
Captcha: “Club”
Posted by Hawk on from Boulder, CO, USA 01/05 at 11:17 AMHappy Thursday, Expendables.
Jim, yeah, I’m up early. In fact, I was gone out the door before you posted your comment.
I’m glad Fight Club is a popular choice. I’ll announce it for sure soon and then we can pick an “easy” start date.
RMJ: Love the Robin Hood Day idea. One of us should write an artilce about it to get the ball rolling.
Mudge and Amelopsis: I guess that’s what they mean by “in like Flynn,” huh?
Hawk, don’t worry: I’ll edit your comment so the HTML works.
Rev., Mew, and Michael: Yo
See everyone later...laundry time.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/05 at 01:12 PMHi folks - yes, Fight Club is aces with me, & some outstandingly good quotes about books in the site’s main post. Wonderful stuff!
Mudge, whatever you decide, however it works out, you’re acting from the noblest of motives, so you’ve got a massive kharmic boost on your side from the start, in my view. All the best!
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 01/05 at 01:23 PMI think Robin Hood Day is a great idea, Rosemarie, and like joe, it is something that has bothered me for a looooong time. Thanks for drawing our attention back to it.
I like “Cerberos of Capital”, Mudge. So true. If anyone wants to know HOW true, read (in amongst everything else!) The Creature From Jeckle(sp) Island by G. Edward Griffin.
Mornin’, Michael. THnaks for the photo. My wife, Angela, spent some time in Korea a few years ago and said that seeing riot police massed to threaten a peaceful demo held by schoolgirls was quite freaky. Really over the top. They were protesting the rape (and murder?) of a girl by US soldiers. Hardly a mention in the press here and certainly no photos of the Riot Police who are a very common sight in Sth Korea. Though you wouldn’t know. It’s great to have a Free Press, isn’t it?
Haaaa!! Oracle says “picture”!Posted by Jim on from 01/05 at 01:30 PMJim...the rape case by the soldiers is a sad one but not all that unusual. I believe that not too long ago there was a similar case against US soldiers in Japan. And the Air Force Academy is famous for its rapes, as are the other branches of the military. When I was in the military rapes were not that common but sexual harassment was a way of life.
I like Mickey’s idea about writing an article about “Robin Hood Day”. Maybe each of us could write one from our own unique perspective. Hows about it???? First we have to pick a date for Robin Hood day. Any ideas? When’s Mickey’s birthday? Or Joe’s, or Jim’s or Amelopis’?
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 01/05 at 01:59 PMAnd I clearly am not first although it is only 6:33 am on a Friday morning!
SENSATIONAL post, Mickey - the graphics, the great quotes, everything! I felt a bit maudlin yesterday but have made your ‘Cool Observer’ my first Internet stop for the day, and guess what, I feel good now. Thanks Mr Z.!
And hello to all you expendables - your comments, links, etc. also make my day every day.
My book recommendation: ‘The Great War on Civilisation’ by Robert Fisk which I find quite hard to put down - a good thing as it is 1,283 pages long (plus appendices). Great book, my friends!
And as soon as our finances improve, I’ll order at least 2 books written by Mickey Z. - to be sent off in a flat rate envelope. I haven’t forgotten, Mickey ..
A pleasant day coming up - about 74F. On Monday, however, we’ll be back to 95F.Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 01/05 at 02:33 PMAnd Amelopsis Canadian Empress, I could not agree more with this:
‘The Dubya quote gave me a nice chuckle this morning. (I heard the voice of Homer Simpson:’What a rube”. If gwb weren’t in a position of power I could say that ‘at least he’s good for a laugh’ but it’s just not funny when he makes arrangements resulting in this much death; so a little chuckle is all he gets.’
You might not believe it but the same thought crossed my mind in the ‘wide brown land’, i.e. Australia. And both Mr and Mrs Helga have wanted to visit Canada for a while now, but fear nothing - the days of our oversears visits are well and truly over. We’re planning a trip to Wellington, New Zealand, in November 2006 but whether we’ll have enough money remains to be seen ..Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 01/05 at 02:37 PMAnd Michael, re (North Korea) this very interesting piece is well worth reading - or not, if you don’t want to:
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v27/n24/print/cumi01_.html
Captcha ‘British’ - article is from the London Review of Books ..Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 01/05 at 02:40 PMThanks, Helga. I truly appreciate your daily vote of support and I do “hope” to eventually read Fisk’s opus.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/05 at 03:43 PMPS love the Henry Miller quote
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 01/05 at 03:49 PMPlus here’s a quote from Amy Lowell
All books are either dreams or swords,
You can cut, or you can drug, with words.Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 01/05 at 03:52 PMAnd I can’t fucking resist this ‘un:
“I have every sympathy with the American who was so horrified by what he had read about the effects of smoking that he gave up reading.”
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 01/05 at 03:54 PMNot at all, Mickey!
And the correct title of the Fisk opus is: ‘The Great War for Civilisation - The Conquest of the Middle East’ btw.Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 01/05 at 03:55 PMI’m sure I have no idea what that innuendo about Errol Flynn is; my college fencing coach knew him, and she was obviously still so enamored of him after all those years.
God, I wished I read more instead of generally puttering about and websurfing (no offense to this site). So Fight club could be just what I need. Maybe I’ll order it used from half.com or something like that.
Mark Twain said that the man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. I’ll try to find more book quotes later…
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 01/05 at 04:29 PMI don’t have birthdays anymore, Rosemarie! But I’d sure be flattered id I did. But, alas .....
Thinking about “just doin’ my job” (and sometimes loving it), I am reminded of the Harrison Ford film Regarding Henry. As I remember it, it is a powerful arguement for doing the “right thing” and how it’s what’s really important. I think I’ll watch it again. It might inspire something.C.S. Lewis said something like “We read so as to know we are not alone”
Posted by Jim on from 01/05 at 06:38 PMThis has been a really difficult day. I haven’t accomplished a whole lot except make my sister mad (she remembers our conversations about our dad completely differently than I do) and realize I have to sell yet more of my lifetime’s accumultion of stuff simply to survive, no matter where I end up.
The way I feel now, I want to take every dime I get (in 10 days to four weeks) from these various sales and buy a one-way ticket to a place where I can start afresh. Anyone know how much it costs to fly to Uzbekistan? Ushuaia?
Thanks for all the warm support, Expendables, and reminding me my heart’s in the right place even if I want to rip the damn thing out and stomp on it after a day like this.
xoxo
Mudge
Off to drink myself into a blind comaPosted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 01/05 at 07:45 PMTry this, Mudge: http://tinyurl.com/9u47h. And please go slow tonight so you’ll be okay to deal with things in the “morning.”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/05 at 07:52 PMMudge, your reference to the conversation with your sister reminds of something my own somewhat estranged sister said she heard in a social worker’s class: No two children ever grow up in the same house.
Don’t lend too much weight to it - just keep on keepin’ on. In the end that’s all any of us get to do. And you seem smart and creative enough to rise above the shit, so don’t drown in it - and don’t let anyone else pull you under with them!
Hah! Captcha word is “poor” - probably about my attempt at a response…Posted by Rev Joe on from 01/05 at 07:56 PMSince everyone is dropping relevant quotes, I’ll take this opportunity to abuse the priviledge. In response to Mudge #26:
“If a had all the money I spent on drink, I’d spend it on drink.” Sir Henry Rawlinson
Enjoy.
Posted by Cart on from near Warshington DC 01/05 at 10:20 PMGood one, Cart. Thanks.
I’m up well past my bedtime. I’ll see you all tomorrow with a very mixed bag of goodies here.
Sleep well…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 01/05 at 11:02 PMWhat´s this going on here, book reading? I´ve read FightClub a few times but always happy to reread.
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 01/06 at 06:48 AM
Next entry: Brace yourself for the Thank-Zeus-it's-Friday cyber-stew
Previous entry: "The future is an infinite succession of presents..."
Copyright © 2005-2007 Mickey Z.
