robzilla

2004 Bathroom Reading

robthesequel@aol.com — Fri, 31 Dec 04 16:23:00 UT

This is a post of all the books I read in 2004. Might have missed a couple along the way.

Karin Slaughter Blindsighted
Karin Slaughter Kisscut
Karin Slaughter A Faint Cold Fear
Walter Mosley The Man in the Basement
Frances Kuffel Passing For Thin
James Sallis Cypress Grove
Jess Walter Land of the Blind
Steven-Eliot Altman Deprivers
Elmore Leonard Mr. Paradise
George Pelecanos The Sweet Forever
George Pelecanos Hard Revolution
Joe R. Lansdale Sunset and Sawdust
Bob Fingeroth Superman on the Couch
Robert B. Parker Bad Business
S.J. Rozan No Colder Place
Joe R. Lansdale Bumper Crop
Andrew Vachss Down Here
Ian Rankin The Falls
Jenny Siler Flashback
Henning Mankell Two Novels
Ian Rankin A Question of Blood
Sherman Alexie The Toughest Indian in the World
Robert B. Parker Play Ball
James Sallis Ghost of a Flea
Lawrence Block Hope To Die
Walter Mosley Little Scarlett
Jonathon Tropper The Book of Joe
Maggie Estep Hex
Greg Rucka A Gentlemans Game
Mike Simon Dirty Sally
Alex Irvine One Soldier, One King
Maggie Estep Gargantuan
Caitlan Kiernan Murder of Angels
Jack Kerley The Hundredth Man
Paul Straub In The Night Room
Paul Straub LostBoyLostGirl
Jim Fusilli Hard, Hard City
Karin Slaughter Indelible
Lynn Hightower The Debt Collector
Sean Stewart A Perfect Circle

Best Short Story of 2004

robthesequel@aol.com — Sun, 26 Dec 04 06:07:00 UT

Best Short Story of 2004

âThe Voluntary Stateâ by Christopher Rowe
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/rowe/

"Soma-With-The-Paintbox-In-Printer's-Alley," said voices from above. Soma turned to watch the policemen land. They all spoke simultaneously in the sing-song chant of law enforcement. "Your car will be healed at taxpayers' expense." Then the ritual words, "And the wicked will be brought to justice."

Everyone gives life to his or her vehicle. We may not name it but we feel every ding on the fender as if it were a bruise upon our soul. Well Christopher jams those ideals together and creates an original future of emotional technocraft. Part magic, part science but 100% weird. Christopher Rowe does many amazing things with this story that it has to be read to believed.

End Of Year Fantas-Lists

robthesequel@aol.com — Sat, 25 Dec 04 18:57:00 UT

Been awhile since postings. No decent excuses. So here goes:

What can the Brown do for you? Well, ruin my Christmas for one. And my attending the niece's baptism. My mother had such aims for me attending mass twice in one weekend. But the weather outside is frightful even for UPS employees, let it blow, let it blow, let it blow!

This next week will be updated with year-ending best of lists. I have a mixed bag of offerings. Should be pretty decent. A trend has been spotted in my film watching. Need to broaden my views a bit.

A good haul of Yuletide presents today. My parents made me a big throw. Extra big baby blanket for me. The best present was a new heavy bag with a freestand so I can punch and kick myself right into shape and right out of therapy. heh Who needs Zoloft when you can punch a 70lb leather stand-in for your boss, ex-, and other neuroses(neurosi? oh WTF). I got my luddite parents a digital camera and DVD player. Hooot! They should get the hang of them by the time the new tech gadgets come around.

Making plans for next years goals. Didn't hit one of the bastards this year. Well maybe one. To make a new friend. Hey, it's harder than it sounds for a guy. We rarely make new friends after finishing high school or college. Work doesn't count because once we switch jobs it's sayonara. Matching up with your wife's friend's husband or boyfriend doesn't count either. That shit's just lazy. I'm about 50% sure I've made a new friend unless he moves out of town soon.

Muzak: Strange Bird- Bobby Bare Jr.
Lit: A new Jim Fusilli tome "Hard, Hard Night"

Tonight's Cage Match: El Chipmunk vs The Fighting Canaries

robthesequel@aol.com — Thu, 7 Oct 04 18:52:00 UT

On another note, did you know chipmunks were carnivorous? Me either. Til the other night. My parents came home from Atlanta so I picked up some chinese food for them. At their house they have two canaries along with other critters. Well Dad likes to put the canaries in their cage outside to get some fresh air. He's been doing this all summer, no problems. He went ouside to bring the birds in and found a chipmunk in the cage nibbling on a half-eaten canary. The other bird just shook with fear. I figured a chipmunk might try for the birdseed but the actual BIRD!

"Hey babe, you must have been something before electricity." RIP Rodney

I have to attend Traffic School at the end of this week. Am I bitter? Only about the ticket. Do you know how many cute girls can't drive right? And they'll all be trapped with me on a Friday night. Heh. Plus all the old men who won't give up their driving privileges. Wouldn't be any competition if it wasn't for Viagra.

Goom night.

Muzak: Indigo Girls

Lit: "Bride of the Fat White Vampire" by Andrew Fox A sequel to "Fat White Vampire Blues" which no lie, made me cry.

The Lone Eggplant

robthesequel@aol.com — Sun, 3 Oct 04 10:47:00 UT

To be more productive on this site, I hope to start reviewing some Pop material that I use to entertain myself. Books, movies, TV shows, comic books, web content and any ole general shit. Now if I can only keep to that goal.

Another goal I may be able to keep came from reading Andrea Siegel's blog. (a link to your left) She is the author of "Like a Red Panda" and her advice is to write two pages a day. No more no less. Seven days a week. Doesn't seem like a lot but they have to be "usable" two pages.

September has been a physically rough month on me and consequently my psuche is a tad frazzled. I broke a little toe. When I say I broke it, I mean I transmogriphied it into a baby eggplant including the color. It's fleshtone again but still as my nephew Simon says, an Owie. I have some weird dry skin patch behind my ear. Finally got a script for it which was insanely costly but worth it. My left eye must have been belatedly mourning Lisa Lopes as it caught a staph infection. My night vision is still touch and go. So bleh.

But I'm much better now. A day to charge my soul is in order. Good day.

Lit: Perfect Circle by Sean Stewart(excellento!!) The Narrows by Michael Connelly

Muzak: Dwight Yokam w/ Buck Owens "Streets of Bakersville"

Eyeball Kick: Man on Fire dvd

Tandoori, pierogies, and gyros, oh my!

robthesequel@aol.com — Sat, 11 Sep 04 22:31:00 UT

Me am full of goodness. St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church threw an Ethnic Fair this weekend. Foods from around the world and Greek, Arabic, Ethiopian and Slavic dancing. Plus beer. MMMMMMMM I had my first taste of certain foods that I have yearned for on the Food Network. My menu was: an Ethiopian Sampler consisting of Alecha-Wot(Yellow Beef), Dor-Wot(Curried Chicken), Tebse-Wot(Curried Beef) all served on Ingera(Flat Bread). I tried Fried Kubie, Moussaka, Pierogies, Spanikopita, Tabooli, Grape Leaves, Tandoori Chicken and Tyropita. Not full meals just friendly tastes. Yum a dum dum. Oh and various pastries were taken home to eat later with coffee. Phyllo dough is so versatile.

I'm a lost soul Catholic. Not into the organized or unorganized religious sects but I love religous art and architecture. The inside of the church was handpainted from corner to corner. Rich purple and gold hues. A guide mentioned that the walls carried representation of the 12 Feasts. At St. Bernards, we had the 12 Stations of the Cross. I really enjoyed the peacefulnuss of the St. Michaels Church.

Lit: Maggie Estep "Gargantuan" also check out "Hex"

Muzak: Dave Attell "Skanks for the Memories"

Rumplepostein

robthesequel@aol.com — Sat, 14 Aug 04 21:12:00 UT

Man, has it been two months since my last whining, I mean posting? Need to be more "proactive" as they say in the corporate world. So, where was I?

I've seen some good flicks this summer. Spidey 2, The Bourne Supremacy and Collateral are my top three. I was sick during Bourne Supremacy and the fidgety camera work made me queasy. I'll have to see that one again. Another excellent job by Michael Mann. Spidey 2 follows the creed of making your character suffer.

I missed a Jolie Holland concert here in town at Uncle Pleasants. She's a founding member of the Be Good Tanyas. And my Dad enjoys her music. You can't get a better endorsement than a retired union guy who can't hear his own voice let alone the outrageous expensive Bose stereo he plays her CD on. :)

Work blows but I'm thinking of taking spanish classes to get me a cushy job in our international division. Does anyone know how to say, "What can the Brown do for you?" in espanol?

Writing exercise du jour: Write down one thing your protagonist would never say. Write down one thing your protagonist would never do. Write down one thing your protagonist would never, ever think. And then find that place in your story where that character must do that thing, say that thing and think that thing. (Courtesy of Donald Maas)

It's all about pushing your characters, people. Apologies on the absentism of Casa Robzilla.

Lit: "I Love My Smith & Wesson" by David Bowker

Muzak: Mercy by Ben Arthur Waiting breathlessly for the new Joss Stone CD

Death ala Waffles or It Sounded Like A Big Explosion

robthesequel@aol.com — Thu, 27 May 04 22:51:00 UT

I almost had my ticket punched in the storeroom of a Waffle House. Really. Un huh. And not your regular big city Waffle House. Nooooo. The Waffle House in Shelby County, KY. After my writing group met in Shelbyville, a buddy asked me to go to Waffle House for some grub and gab. I love breakfast food at night as much as the next all-american male.

Just after we got our food, the wait staff starting getting jittery. I heard an assistant manager say, "Git the customers in the back. A tornado has just touched down in Henry County and it's headed this way." Me and my friend, two army dudes and the miscreant wait staff head to the storeroom. What do you think is in a storeroom? Supplies of various sorts? Well sure but what else? Okay I'll tell you. A small family. Well minus a husband. The assistant manager had her 12 year old daughter, 3 year old son and a baby just a few months old too. WTF!

Everyone squeezes into the storeroom, shoulder to shoulder, ass to ass. Of course the wait staff starts lighting up their cigarettes in this WELL ventilated cozy corner of the store. I said, "Hmmm, I think I'll take my chances with the tornado." "Oh no sir! We can't let you leave. We're responsible for you." The older of the two army dudes smiles at me. I grin back. We both must be thinking of these Deliverance rejects trying to restrain me. I'm a big boy.

I calm down but the little ones are crying because pineapple-headed Cletus is talking on his cellphone to his cousin in a (no lie) moblie home telling him the "turdnader" is heading right for us. It's fitting that I die there. Just a big F-ing exclamation point on my life. Then the lights go out, the women and kids shriek, and the lights come back up. The cellphones start ringing. The danger has passed onto the next county's Waffle House.

I felt like the punch line of an unfunny joke. A lapsed Catholic, a Jew and a dog walk into a Waffle House...Thank you and good night. I'll be here all week.

Muzak: Paste CD-Norah Jones,Patty Griffin

Lit:"Ghost of a Flea" by James Sallis

Freedom!

robthesequel@aol.com — Wed, 26 May 04 07:30:00 UT

Vacation time. At least for a few days. I had planned on a trip to Wisconsin this weekend but couldn't fulfill my financial obligations and take the voyage. With better planning, I should make it next year. But I'm not down, I have free time to waste. Well, a couple of tuneups with a doctor and dentist. By chance I happened to pick the days off when Louisville turns into Seattle. I hope all this rain leads to a wetter and cooler summer in the Ohio River Valley.

Today is the first free concert held at the Waterfront Park in Louisville. It's right after work and I had all my co-workers jazzed about going. I goofed and scheduled an appointment at this time. D'oh. But they do it the last Wednsday of the month during the summer, so come on down.

Bob Sloan, an excellent Kentucky author, has a new novel published by Wind Publications. If you check out his link to the left, you will find out more about it and how to purchase it.

Christopher Rowe and Gwenda Bond of Fortress of Words have published another issue of "Say..." Check out all the delicious stories once again. And if you look to the left again...ta da, links to their websites. For the price, you can't beat what they offer.

The day of fun will begin with a haircut I hate, an oil change, the buying of socks and book hunting of course. And it's new shipment day at Comic Book World.

Muzak: NPR "Morning Edition" sans the great Bob Edwards

Lit: "A Question of Blood" by Ian Rankin and a couple of Henning Mankell books. Love those crazy Swedish police procedurals.

Run For Your @$^%@ Life!

robthesequel@aol.com — Sun, 2 May 04 23:17:00 UT

I'm sure that's how the horses and greyhounds feel everytime they race. That's how I feel when I'm at work. I tell my co-workers that it's all about attitude. If you have a bad attitude at this job, you will probably have a bad attitude at the next job. But screw that, my job sucks. I need relief in a hurry. Relief comes in the form of movies, books and music.

Jolie Holland released her new CD, "Escondida", this week. It's a more polished follow up to "Catalpa", which was recorded in someone's apartment. I also purchased the new Rasputina CD. Wasn't sure I would dig it, but the risk paid off. Creepy southern gothic music. Top hats and Opussums.

Andrew Vachss has a new novel out called "Down Here". Another take on his underground character Burke. The library had a short story collection by Joe R. Lansdale called "Bumper Crops". He intros each short story with his reason for writing them.

On the movie front, I'm dodging the upcoming Van Helsing. Looks like a big bag o' shiite from where I'm sitting. I saw a trailer for "Hero" starring Jet Li that looks like a wicked pisser but that won't be here till August.

Everyone have a craptastic week at work. I mean that.

Mystery Quote of the Moment: A terrific No-Prize goes to the person who can identify this quote: "But I'm not sleepy. I'm hungry. Really I am."

Outlaw Post

robthesequel@aol.com — Thu, 22 Apr 04 16:50:00 UT

Journal entry, journal entry, where for art thou? Here I is. I notice women bloggers tend to update much more than men. I believe I even saw a survey done on this in some newspaper I read. I can't speak for the men OR women out there but I get in a non-posting rut sometimes. Not that I don't have a lot of interesting items to blog about just nothing eye-popping. 'nuff said.

Got into a fender bender with a local semi-celebrity. I've told a few people I know but on advice of legal counsel (hey Sean) or until I get my truck fixed, I won't reveal her name. It sucks because she lives out of state now and I have to go through her personal assistant. I hate communication through proxy.

This weekend is Kentucky Writers Day. My writing group in Shelbyville is holding a little something at the library. Just a little reading of works from Kentucky writers and authors. Nothing major. Most readers are going with the elder statesmen of Kentucky literature but not me. My selections to read are Chris Offut and Christopher Rowe. My injection of freshness into our event. To borrow from Applebees, "doing good for the neighborhood."

Lit: "Sunset and Sawdust" by Joe R. Lansdale and "Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets" by David Simon --this is the book that the TV show homicide was based on, good shiite.

Muzak: Joss Stone "Souls Sessions" and Another Shot of Redeye Alt-country collection

Spring forward into the past

robthesequel@aol.com — Fri, 9 Apr 04 16:13:00 UT

My first post this month. Been a tad busy. Dad had surgery but he's recuperating splendidly. My boss went on vacation and had me cover his job and my job. Nice of him. I started back to the Devon Writing Workshop. It costs a little scratch but necessary to improve. It's basically a crit session with an instructor. That's the simple answer but I really enjoy the other writers in the 'shop.

I have been reading McKees "Story" and Maass's "Writing the Breakout Novel" trying to figure out what to write. Saw a couple of movies, Spartan and Hellboy. I've been waiting years to see Hellboy and enjoyed the hell (get it?) out of it. Spartan was a pleasant surprise. It was directed by David Mamet which sent me on a hunt for Mamet stuff. I found a quote of his, "As long as a character wants something-anything- the audience will be interested." Good stuff to apply to my writing.

Lit: rereading "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman (Shadow is one of my all-time fav characters)

Muzak: NPR State of Affairs

My New Simbal

robthesequel@aol.com — Thu, 25 Mar 04 14:57:00 UT

My Dad had successful prostrate surgery this week. Mortality is not one of my favorite subjects. I turn into a jester when I'm ill at ease and hospital recovery rooms breed discomfort. Bags of fluid hang above, their feeding tubes cris-crossing until a visitor feels a tube snaking up his pants leg. Chairs made by fine craftsman from the Inquisition. A 5-inch TV on a pendulum like mechanical arm that if you breath on it will swing across the room causing visitors to dive for cover or lose their melons. Yeh. And throw that on the fact I can't stop staring at my Dad and wondering where this aging imposter came from. Dad's doing well though. He was even released early.

Speaking of 'zines, I have heard about but never seen Found Magazine. The whole concept is the creator(s) use found notes, letters, written on napkins and any other found object written on and put it in a magazine. It's fantastic. A voyeuristic look at peoples tossed scribbles. Just three pages in and I have a couple ideas for a story. Wunderbar!
www.foundmagazine.com

Muzak: Moth

Lit: George Pelecanos "The Sweet Forever" - Pelecanos delivers everytime. This book takes place in DC during 1986's March Madness. He layers music in with b-ball to bring the 80's the sweet life.

Reading is FUNdamental

robthesequel@aol.com — Sun, 21 Mar 04 21:28:00 UT

Books grow in Spring. Multiple releases of authors new works that I can't possibly keep up with. George Pelecanos "Hard Revolution", John Connolly "Badmen", Andrew Vachss "Down There", and Joe R Lansdale "Sunset & Sawdust". James Sallis has a review up on his site of the Lansdale novel. I read a couple of chapters at the bookstore and almost bought it. Must-wait-for-the-library-to-get-a-copy. Here is the url for Sallis.

http://www.grasslimb.com/sallis/

Gwenda and Christopher if you got the Sunday Herald turn to the back of Parade magazine for James Bradys Tina Fey article. She never discusses the scar on her left cheek which only adds to my allure for her. Plus I think she's ticked off about being saddled with the glasses ala Drew Carey. Hope her upcoming movie is good.

Time to watch Deadwood. "Holy cussing cowboys, Batman!"

March Bi-polarism! Catch it!

robthesequel@aol.com — Sun, 14 Mar 04 22:24:00 UT

My title doesn't have the same ring as March Madness but that phrase is copyrighted. Tomorrow will be a toner cartridges worst nightmare. Just some friendly little illegal gambling at your workplace especially in Kentucky. I'm taking off this Thursday and Friday not to watch the games but to escape the absentee mess at my job. Teamplayer of the month.

Had a wonderful Saturday lunch with Gwenda and Christopher. (Check out their links to the left of your radio dial.) I recommend El Mundo for anyone who appreciates fresh and tasty Mexican dishes. We strolled down Frankfort Ave or Rowes Memory Lane. The weather woman cooking in the buff is now an urban legend I must pass on. We hit Carmichaels, a lone independent bookstore in Louisville. Not a lot of stock but quality material. After Christopher made faces with a cute little girl and Gwenda purchased some wine at the Winerack, they said goodbye and headed off to a bicycle race called a criterium at Shawnee park. A good time with a laid back couple. Look forward to seeing them again.

Muzak: Jolie Holland "Catalpa"

Lit: The Sunday Courier-Journal