Recent Interests       (aka - how I've been enjoying my limited free time... :) ) [ main ]

Recent Books Read

The Crying of Lot 49 - Pynchon, Thomas
Interesting work- full of satire and symbolism.  Very deep at times - I'm sure I missed some of the delicate nuances.  Will definitely read this again.. perhaps soon.

The New New Thing - Lewis, Michael
A work describing the new internet phenomenon and a following of Jim Clark's recent past in creating a number of startups in Silicon Valley.  I was slightly disappointed by this work, considering how much I enjoyed his last work, 'Liar's Poker'.

Cryptonomicon - Stephenson, Neal
Actually, I'm not finished with this work, but I'm so close I'll put it up.  Having read Stephenson's
Snow Crash, I was expecting no less than an awesome work - and that's what I found in Cryptonomicon.  It's an utterly brilliant work of fiction with so much non-fiction it makes for historically-enlightening reading.

Nudist on the Late Shift - Bronson, Po
Don't mind the title- just a rumour.   A fun book for those technical types among us.
Inspirational .. might even make me go back and work 120 hours a week.

God Head - Zwiren, Scott
I purchased this and a few other books on manic depression/depressive disorders having seen Girl, Interrupted, and having rekindled an interest in such classifiable disorders.

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Recent Movies Seen

American Psycho
I'm not sure I've made up my mind yet about this film.  It's somewhat disturbing,
and yet, at the same time, paints a rather vivid picture of the neuroses of many a
1980's New York City executive.

Keeping the Faith
A touching romantic comedy - two thumbs up :)  Brings back some special memories of a wonderful lady whose presence was once much greater in my life.

High Fidelity
Inspiration for my top 5 list of former relationships.  Wonderful film.
The soundtrack is pretty cool too.

Final Destination
I am now afraid of plane travel.
It did present some interesting, if not thematically-abused, views of fate and death.

Boiler Room
I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed by this film about an investment firm on the fringes of legality, and how a young broker finds his way in, and gets himself out.  I think my time could have been much better spent re-reading Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis.

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Recent CD's Heard

Central Reservation - Beth Orton
Hard to classify, but probably on the fringes of folk/rock.  Great voice, deep instrumentals.

I'm With Stupid - Aimee Mann
I'm not sure if 'love' would be the right word, but Aimee Mann is awesome!  Her voice is beautiful, and many of her songs are totally 'there'.  Buy this, or the soundtrack to Magnolia if you don't believe me.

Telling Stories - Tracy Chapman
I fell in love with Tracy Chapman probably two years ago.  A friend of mine, also named
Tracy (or sometimes Tracey), was likely the culprit who introduced me to such a wonderful artist.
One of the reasons I'm working on my acoustic abilities is to one day play a few of her songs.

On How Life Is - Macy Gray
On the same night, two friends of mine told me I'd probably like her: and so I do. :)

Brief Strop - Sheila Nicolls
Found out about Sheila Nicholls having listened to one of her songs on the High Fidelity soundtrack.  Beautiful voice.  Reminded me of Natalie Merchant and Sarah McLaughlin,
but with her own pleasant style.

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