The Devil All the Time - Donald Ray Pollock

The book "The Devil All the Time," by Donald Ray Pollock is a masterpiece.  This is his first novel and I would definitely coin it with the term Breakthrough Novel.  The story is gruesome, descriptive, clear, and concise.  The author writes three different small stories and sub plots than at the end of the novel the stories converge into a final end.  I think this would be a difficult novel to write because he uses third person omniscient.  The reader has narrations and view points from many different characters which can be confusing and hard to keep track of if written incorrectly.  Pollock has the ability to write from many different characters viewpoints while having three different stories happening essentially at the same time which is very impressive.  When I see this and it works so beautifully in a novel, I want to jump through the book and give the author a big gigantic hug!!!

The book was so good I read it in one day.  On the flip side of that, I have off work from my assistantship and I have no class.  Reading a book in one day is not a difficult feat for me considering the amount of free time I have to do so.  However, I don't think that really would have mattered I could not put this novel down.

What I love so much about this novel is the rawness of all the characters.  It's set in Ohio in an extremely small, backwards, hickish town.  The characters all make poor choices in this book and at the same time are super religious.  Many feel that God will save them even as they commit acts of murder and sin.  The dialect and dialogue the author uses is spot on and so real it makes you feel like you are standing with the characters like the devil on their shoulder watching their next move of poor judgment and decisions.

I did some research on the author, and this happens to be his first novel.  He is in his mid 40's-50's and lived in a rural town in Ohio called Knockemstiff and worked in the paper mill from 1973 to 2005.  He now has his MFA from Ohio State University, so it makes me wonder if some of the stories he writes about are stories from his past.  The stories could be embellished stories of people that lived in this little rinky dink town. I remember the advice always given to future authors - write what you know.

For some reason, seeing this eloquently written novel of someone who worked as a laborer for many years, gives me hopes for writing :) Chuck Palahniuk had a similar start to his career working in a factory and taking a break from journalism for many years.  I love the way both of these men write, but I have found it's not really my style.  I want to write something that everyone can read, and Palahniuk definitely has his own shtick and way of writing.  I admire him for weaving tales in the outrageous, uncomfortable nature that he does.  This book was a good read!

Twas the night before Eggnog Extravaganza

Twas the night before Eggnog Extravaganza, in Madison WI, not a creature was stirring, not even a Bdawg.  We were all nestled in bed as dreams of honey whisky, endless bowls of jello shots, warm delicious cups of eggnog with peppermint stir sticks, bottles of leftover sloe gin, and beer from a keg danced in our heads. 

When out from the hall, there arose such a clatter, just a dude who wanted to drive, who wasn't driving a Saturn.  Good friends who also wanted to drive, disconnected the wires, and wrote penis all over the windshield with peppermint whipped creme patties.

On Brinza, on Elstad, on Bdawg, on Felsing, on McManners!

The rest of the night was hazy and full of cat fancy magazines, a large amount of beer pong, and way too much CT.  The end of the night ended with some icing and water bottle dumping while most of us still dreamed in our inebriated states.

Did that really happen or was that just a dream?  I guess we better find out for ourselves at the next Eggnog Extravaganza next year!

To all a Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy New Year! 

Death of an Atheist

http://m.winonadailynews.com/news/opinion/article_d2967ec8-2b87-11e1-b1f2-0019bb2963f4.html

This article was posted in the Winona Daily News today.  This article WOULD be posted in the Winona Daily News today.  Of course, it in turn would be re posted to facebook and while I was reading the article my blood started to flow and the hair on my neck started to stand on end. 

First case in point, what mediocre writer would sit there and post something bad about Christopher Hitchens, one of the best writers ever to live.

Next case in point, I HIGHLY doubt that atheism is the smallest minority group for religion.  If it is, I wish this writer would have provided proof of some sort (ha maybe that's the atheist in me), or at least some research on this.  You can have an opinion but if you can't back it up then don't post it like it is a fact.  I'm sorry you can't just believe a fact is true if you haven't seen it before.  I do agree that it's possible, if you combine all religions.  You know - like Buddhism, Hinduism, Scientology, and so forth.  In that case, of course it would be the minority but I know this writer is only talking about Christianity, the only religion that matters, right?

In addition, I was really angry by how they said that if there is no God than why do we do community service?  What would be the purpose to do community service?  So basically, atheists are these terrible, bad people that are not good enough at heart to want to do community service unless the holy lord command them to?  This may come as a huge surprise but I'm going into a field called counseling that helps people.  Everyday I plan on doing service to people to help them get better.  My wanting to do this never ending servitude to people has NOTHING to do with religion.  The author tries to provide a meaning for this by throwing a scripture of some sort but if you are atheist this argument comes up very flawed and short.  The problem with spouting off bible verses to someone who isn't your religion is pretty in affective.  If they don't read it, or believe in it, then the information is moot.

I'm pretty sure Christopher Hitchens didn't think anything at the end of his life like what this writer posted.  But, I guess if he doesn't need proof about God than I guess he wouldn't need proof about what Christopher Hitchens was thinking and feeling before he died.  He can just believe he knows and that can be his unfortunate truth.

The most important thing about being alive is to be a good person.  To have an appreciation and acceptance of people who are different than you and have different beliefs than you do. Atheism is a belief.  It may be one of the most looked down upon views a person can have. But it's not any different than believing in a religion.  People need to honor others beliefs and be respectful even if it's not the most popular and sought after view around.  Because if you aren't doing that, in theory, are you being a good person?  If you really want to get into Heaven maybe it's time you learn to practice and live what you preach.

Musicophillia - Oliver Sacks

Today I finished the book Musicophillia by Oliver Sacks.  Oliver Sacks is a physician - in particular neuroscience and psychiatry.  Basically, he is really smart.  So smart at times I didn't really understand a lot of the terms used in the book.  What I did get out of the book were some answers to hypothesis about music and a deeper understanding of how truly powerful the use of music can be.  For instance, I didn't know there was a disorder called William's disorder which is a disorder that occurs when 15-25 genes are missing on a chromosome.  The brain is also less developed leaving people with this disorder with smaller IQ's less than 60.  The frontal lobes of the brain and the creative-music part of the brain are rather large and can be super sized.  William's syndrome patients LOVE music and are extremely sociable and outgoing.  One lady in particular, had 2,000 different operas and musical arrangements memorized. However, not all people with William's disorder are that advanced in music but they still love music such as creating, performing, and singing.  Basically when it comes to the social aspect of this disorder, it is completely the opposite of people who have Autism.  People suffering from Autism have flat affect, do not display emotions, and are not typically sociable.  William's disorder is a rare disorder with only 1 out of 10,000 people having it.  Every year in Massachusetts, a camp is arranged for people with William's disorder to come together and do what they do best - play music.

Another interesting area I found was that the brain has the same activity when using musical imagery or replaying songs in our heads when music is not being played by us with an instrument or being listened to on the radio (or any other means of listening to music).  The book gave an example of a cyclist who always listened to music when they were training, and during their time trials for the Olympics they listened to the music in their head even though it wasn't playing and had the best time they ever received while doing so.  I believe music has a huge impact on athletes and can help athletes train or do better when racing.  In my personal life, I have witnessed this impact and effect.  I always run my best while listening to music.

Alzheimer's disease is always one of the saddest, scariest disorders that I feel can happen to people.  The loss of self and memories of past events in particular are what scare me the most.  In the book, it said that music is one of the only ways that Alzheimer's patients can bring back their self that has been lost.  For some reason, the part of the brain that has emotions evoked by music does not deteriorate in Alzheimer's patients while everything else does.  That is why music therapy is so important to this group of patients because they will hear a song or a lyric that can bring back a memory or emotion that they have lost about themselves.  When they hear the music, that sense of self is triggered and in that instant they can remember who they are.

The book was a great read - especially if you are a counseling student getting your masters and are thinking about writing your capstone on music therapy :P)  - oh that would be me!

Sweating & Running toxinz out

Yesterday, I woke up with a cold - a sniffling, my nose will not stop running type of cold.  I have my old regimen that happens when a cold starts and I swear that it kicks the nasty thing out of my system in about two days.

*Day 1 - Oh no! I have a cold.  When this happens, I typically stay in, rest up, read a lot, and do not do any strenuous exercise or running.  I pop vitamin C pills like no other, and drink copious amounts of green tea and water.

*Day 2 - I feel a little bit better!  I still am sniffling but I feel like I could at least go for a run or do something to sweat out the toxins.  For example, today I ran 3 miles when I woke up and sweat like I ran 10.  During and after the run I started to feel even better.  The key for the remainder of the day is pushing the vitamin C and liquids again.

Day 3 - Repeat - I should be mostly cured and feel like myself.

This is my holistic approach to sweating nasty colds out of my system!  It works for me at least :P)Also, some yummy chicken noodle soup is always a nice added touch.  Tis the season of colds.

An Ode to Andrew Bird

As I'm reading my next novel on my list of novels to read, "Devil in the White City", I felt it only appropriate to listen to my Andrew Bird Pandora Station.  The novel is set back in the late 1800's during the time the world fair was being built in Chicago and one of the first serial killers (Dr. H. Holmes) in America was developing into a killing machine.  It's one of those nonfictional novels that is truly most interesting during the parts that follow the serial killer. I like architecture and all but it is not as chilling as a killer (well to me anyways).  

I love, love, love Andrew bird and his mad violin skills!  I saw him live last year at First Avenue in Minneapolis and he is the most talented live artist I have ever seen.  This man is a musical genius and was predestined to play music.  Anyways, he is from Illinois, and perfected his musical skills at Northwestern University. I feel it's only fitting to listen to a Illinois native, old-timey sounding violin prodigy of today while reading a novel written about Chicago back in the late 1800's.

Here are links to his music:
Fake Palindromes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U7xpGi5SsU&feature=related

Imitosis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnXCzFnkxtY&feature=related

I would paste the videos which I tried but I'm still figuring this all out. I highly suggest if you are reading a novel about Chicago that this is the music to listen to.  Just saying.

Damned (Chuck P.) the final read

Just minutes ago, I finished the book "Damned" by Chuck Palahniuk.  I have written several prior posts giving a semi-explanation on what is going on in this novel.  The book is about a 13 year old girl named Madison who finds herself in hell after a "marijuana overdose."  As you continue to read the book, you find out she is there for more reasons than just smoking the ganja. Also, there is a colorful group of friends she makes and meets in hell that resembles the Breakfast club. In my past post, I described a really disgusting part which turned out to be the most disgusting part in the book.

This book is part of a three part trilogy.   I'm really interested to see how he can write more on this subject, and I have very mixed feelings about this book.  At times, I found myself asking existential questions about life which made the reading rather thought provoking.  In hell there are two jobs you can have.  You can either be involved in Internet porn or you can work as a telemarketer. I thought the telemarketer part was a great touch for a job you could have in hell, because if any job sounds like a hellish nightmare it has got to be a job as a telemarketer.  Madison found herself a job as a telemarketer, but the telemarketers communicated with people who were alive on earth, to ask frivolous survey questions such as what is your favorite flavor of lip gloss.  Madison ended up talking to a lot of people who were near the end of their lives and were desperate to talk to someone.  She would convince them to come to hell because it was so much better than their lives on earth.  Chuck introduces many thoughts about life on earth such as you live on earth, you want all the material possessions, the perfect life, and we try so hard to be healthy such as taking vitamins and the list goes on and on.  But it all comes back to the point that we all will die.  Most of use are trying not to die and take special preventative measures, but essentially in the end we will have to face our inevitable fates. I'm really surprised to find Chuck giving this view that there is an eternal life after death such as a heaven and a hell.  For some reason, he always struck me is rather atheist but at the same time this is a fiction novel. Or is it?  ha ha.

The book was thought provoking in an existential way to me.  Actually, in the same way as fight club provokes such thoughts such as "You are more than your fucking khakis."  But on the same note, I was finding some unnerving flaws to the logic of this book.  At one point, Madison ends up calling her parents while she is in hell because they are on her telemarketer call list.  She doesn't even know who it's calling until they answer and immediately recognize her voice on the other end.  In the novel, there are points when Madison does miss her parents and does not want to be in hell.  My question was why didn't she call her parents earlier? When she first started her job in hell she was fairly upset about being in hell at that point in the plot.  It just seems like a huge hole in the novel that was and is still befuddling to me.  I would think the first thing I would do at my telemarketing job in hell would be to call the people I left behind and missed.  Once this all happens, the blur between the living and the dead start to get murky for me.

Another view point on this book I have is Chuck is potentially mocking all the teeny bopper trilogies that keep coming out such as The Hunger Games and The Twilight series.  I wonder if that is part of his intention for writing this series seeing it is from the perspective of a thirteen year old female.  I wonder if Chuck thought to himself "Well, I want to write a teenage trilogy but make it highly uncomfortable, raw, inappropriate, and better than all that shit that keeps coming out."  (I do love The Hunger Games Trilogy though, so I am guilty of that).

I'm not entirely sold on this "trilogy" that he is writing but I know I will read the second book and the third book because that is just what I do.  I cannot help but read everything and anything that this man writes.  Bring on the second installment of Eternal Damnation!

Brain Benefits and Running

I took this article from Runner's World.

Here it's posted: http://fitbie.msn.com/get-fitter/5-brain-benefits-running

Benefits of Running and the Brain

My favorite one is number 5.  I believe there is a huge correlation with mental health and being actively fit and exercising.  As someone who has battled with bouts of severe depression in the past, running really does help my mind.  I run to stay fit but I also run to stave off my depression.  And guess what - it works!  It is what has worked the best for me and the only thing that has worked.  I've tried antidepressants and other things but running has been the number one thing that has worked for me.  I know not everyone can run and it will not work for every person because we all are different but this is why I'm a firm believer in a holistic approach to boosting moods.  Enjoy the article!

Image: Thinkstock

Running helps more than your heart and lungs. Promising brain research shows a strong link between running and a "younger," more nimble brain. Vigorous cardiovascular activity pumps more oxygen-and glucose-rich blood to your noggin. And when you make running a frequent habit, the rewards are long-term. (Search: How will running make my whole body feel better?) All forms of exercise generate more energy for the brain, but research indicates the more aerobically challenging the exercise, the greater the mental payoff. Here's a look at your brain on running.
Tired and cranky? Try these 10 mental tricks to fight fatigue

1. New Thinking
Running sparks the growth of fresh nerve cells, called neurogenesis, and new blood vessels, called angiogenesis, says J. Carson Smith, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland in College Park who studies the role exercise plays in brain function. "We know that neurogenesis and angiogenesis increase brain-tissue volume, which otherwise shrinks as we age," he says. (Video: Why do you run?) In a 2011 study reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), for example, older adults who exercised regularly increased the volume of their hippocampus—the region linked to learning and memory—by two percent, compared to inactive peers. (Related: How your thinking improves your runs) That may not sound like much until you realize that this part of the brain isn't known for increasing at any point in adulthood. What's more, running appears to "rescue" many brain cells that would otherwise die.
Become the strongest, fastest runner you can be by arming yourself with the resource guide for all things running-related

2. Sweating the Details
Running helps you get better at learning and storing new information and memories, and can potentially stave off age-related dementia. The hippocampus, a sea horse-shaped structure tucked under the medial temporal lobe, is most affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In a 2010 study, also in PNAS, adult mice "runners" grew new neurons that made them better at making fine distinctions between shapes and colors than sedentary rodents. Earlier studies on humans came to similar conclusions. These types of cognitive skills, including improved focus, help forestall dementia.
Fight your fears with these confidence-boosting running routines

3. Power Planning
Lacing up regularly may make the executive functions that happen in the frontal cortex—decision-making, planning, organizing, juggling mental tasks—easier. In a 2010 Japanese study, people who'd just completed bouts of physical activity scored higher on mental tests than those who did not. So it may be that if you run regularly, you can plan your kid's birthday and your company retreat without mixing up the details.
Fresh, New Ideas for Your Workout Routine

4. Quick Recall
Being aerobically active is key not just to making memories, but finding them when you want to. In a study of patients diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, those who exercised were better able to recall names of famous people. Brain scans reveal activity in the caudate nucleus, which sits in the midbrain just below the corpus collosum. (Related: Energy-boosting running routines) This area is involved in motor function, but also supports memory circuits; running appears to improve the quality of the signals being transmitted through those circuits, which means you have better access to the zillions of details you've got stored there.

5. Positive OutlookRunning may be just as effective—and in some instances better—than SSRI drugs in treating depression. (Related: Running tips to help beat the blues) These antidepressant meds work by keeping neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepineprhine in the synapses longer, improving mood and outlook. Turns out, aerobic exercise does the same thing. In studies, patients who were successfully treated with SSRIs relapsed sooner than those who stayed physically active.

Something fun to do at Victoria's Secret

When I was at Victoria's Secret yesterday, (yes another post of people watching), I saw some rather immature teenage boys walking around the store giggling uncomfortably.  Of course they were with a teenage girl who most definately dragged them into the store.  When I was standing in a long line of people holding their unmentionables that will soon be put on as their unmentionables, I had a thought of something fun to do at Victoria's Secret.  I thought it would be fun, if someone like me, would go grab a bunch of panties, throw them in the air above the teenage boys heads' and say "Make it rain!"  I just thought what they would think of some crazy older female hurling women's panties in their direction.  Of course, I did not do this.  But these are the things I think about sometimes.  What would the world be like if we all just acted on all of our impulses?  What if people were less inhibited?  Social norms and mores would be erased.  I think this is why I like the show It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia because the characters act on their raw impulses.  Maybe, I'm even a little jealous. But, I guess holding onto social mores and norms are better than spending an afternoon with mall security.

Weird Sparkly Ugg Boats

So as I was standing in line at Victoria Secret something sparkly caught my attention from the corner of my eye.  Now, I know what you are thinking.  Everything glitters at VS.  But, that is not it. 
This is it:

Now this is one crazy looking boot. Is it sent here from outerspace by aliens?  I hope so!  The problem is did I not spy these gems on but one person but on two different people today.  Fashion don't or fashion do?  I say fashion don't, but if you can do that moon walk than it is okay.

Chuck P. Damned - Part 2 - Favorite Quotes so far

So as I was reading the book Damned tonight I have some favorite quotes I found.  You can see them below!
Damned Quotes

"I can tell from her area code that she lives in Baltimore, so even if she dies and goes straight to Hell and gets immediately dismembered and gobbled by Psezpolnica or Yum Cimil, it's won't be a huge culture shock.  She might not even notice the difference. Not at first."

"Perhaps a trace number of politicians ascend to Heaven, but statistically speaking, 100 percent of them are cast into the fiery pit.  As essentially 100 percent of journalists and redheads."

The quotes struck me with some chuckles.  The first quote about Baltimore is funny because it is considered a pretty big shithole. I have heard the show the WIRE is great for learning more about this sketchbot place.

Of course the second quote is great because politicians are corrupt, but redheads?  C'mon! I'm a redhead! So apparently I have been doomed to Hell all along.  Oh, well I figured as much.

Brrrr it's cold out - Running is getting harder.

In my mid to late 20's I have become a very decent long distance runner.  How this has happened I am not really all that sure.  So far I have ran 5k's, 10k's, and a half marathon.  Running a half marathon has to be about one of the craziest ideas ever.  "What do you want to do?  Oh, I dunno run a half marathon".  When someone ever says this to you look them squarely in their two vapid, crazyass eyes and say, "No, no you will not run a half marathon". I don't even want to think about the people that run full marathons.  I wonder if people realize that is 26.2 miles.  This type of race takes at least 2-5 hours to do.  Think about all the other things you can get done in your life with 2-5 hours.  Even though I do happen to pee myself on the occasional 5k run, I would really like to forego the shitting myself part which would certainly happen to my overactive digestive/urinal/kidney system in my body during a full marathon.  All you crazy marathon runners out there I commend you.  I will just stick to my pee filled 5k runs for now.

Anyways since I am horribly off topic of what I was originally here to write in the blog land, running outside is starting to get harder now that it's at the 30 degree marker.  My typical run is 3.8 to 4 miles and today I almost passed out in the shower when I got home.  I started seeing stars, and I had to mentally talk myself into sticking it out long enough to put face wash on my face.  I think it's time to start running inside on treadmills which is my LEAST favorite thing to do.  I feel like a weird bedraggled hamster and hate the smell of stale sweat and human secretions wafting around me.  Running outside through the crisp air while seeing nature and being in nature is the only way to go.  I can't even watch TV on a treadmill because I get dizzy and want to vomit.  Sigh, this time of the year bites to be a runner.  I guess it's that time of year to say goodbye to nature and endure the smellyness of the wellness center.  I miss you nature see you in a few months!

Winter Running Tips: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267-589-12420-0,00.html

Chuck Palahniuk - Damned - Spoiler Alert!

Currently, I am reading Chuck's new book Damned.  Lately, I have been fairly disappointed in the books he has been writing.  What happened to the times of Fight Club, Invisible Monster, and Choke?  I lost a lot of faith in one of my all time favorite writers when he wrote Snuff and Pygmy.  I never got around to reading Tell All which is his book prior to Damned.  I have opened Tell All a few times in bookstores and have paged through it only to be disappointed in it, and in those moments, I knew he was going to disappoint me once again.  Books are not cheap these days either, and I am a book collector.  So, I had to take some time off from Chuck.  But, I have decided to give him another chance and picked up Damned.  It looked very promising.  I mean what Chuck P. fan would miss the chance to see hell come to life through his eyes.  Also, a mention of it being a plot that is breakfast clubish is a mention that cannot be turned down.
I am currently around page 80 and the book is approximately 230 pages.  At first, it seemed very interesting and promising.  The main character is interesting and hell is described in that well known ultra nasty Chuck P. style.  He manages to even capture hell as this stanky ass place, and he brings in the ultimate disgusting human body part: a desert of discarded toe and fingernail pairings.  The description he provides is ultimately disturbing in which he comments on different shades of nail polish still attached to some of the clippings.  You would think the scene of the characters having to bury themself in the toe and finger nail clippings would be the ultimate gross out but that was not what did it for me.

Everything was chugging along quite wonderfully until I got into the really gross part of the book about a severed head giving female coital pleasure to a giantess (Psezpolnica) who tortures people and then slowly eats their bodies.  Now, I know Chuck is gross... He's always been gross.  All Chuck fans clearly and distinctively remember the scene in the book the Haunted that deals with bile and bits of peanuts.  That particular scene caused many people to faint and throw up when he would do readings of that book. But, I sighed and thought - really?  Now, is he just trying to be over the top gross because that is what everyone expects?  Of course it causes your skin to crawl knowing that the main character named Madison who is around the age of 13 is the one bringing the still talking, licking, swallowing, fully functioning severed head to the pleasure region of this giantess. (Apparently in hell characters can die multiple times but are always alive and regenerate their bodies - that's why the severed head can still function). Maybe it's the fact I have a step sister named Madison around that age. It's understood the character has hippie parents and of course is advanced in sexual knowledge because of their open nakedness, but it made me super uncomfortable.  However, the more I thought about, isn't that what Chuck does best?  He makes everyone ultimately uncomfortable.

It makes me wonder if I am just being cynical because his last few books have been less than the masterpieces I have enjoyed in the past.  We will see as I continue reading the book.  The book has some redeeming qualities but I'm starting to get skeptical on how this is going to turn out.http://chuckpalahniuk.net/books/damned