Don't Fart in the Elevator and Other Advice My Mama Done Tol' Me

My friends have been tossing books at me lately. I guess word got out the Uncle GoGo had recently sailed back from his 15 year self expulsion to the Island of Illiteracy and that he was once again eating soft covered gems. They've been chucking books at me which is good as I have recently found myself completely stuck on "NonZero"; an enjoyable look at the history and evolution of society through the perspective of zero sum and non-zero sum game theories. A thick book that carries you from the primordial goo and ooze through to a promised supposition of where all us jerk's kids kids kids are going to end up in the pecking order once we get this whole big ball of mess all figured out. Interesting, but thick as glue. I mean, I'm lucky to get 4 pages done on the commute in; then end up having to re-read the last of the four pages over again on the commute out... I'm taking a break from "NonZero"; an enjoyable look at the history and evolution of society through the perspective of zero sum and non-zero sum game theories.

Last weekend a great friend, my Roman friend chucked me a copy of "Perfume"; actually sorry, she didn't chuck it all, she thoughtfully placed "Perfume" in with a loving goody bag full of treats, bits of beautiful glass and other precious objects meant to be sent home to Canada by the messenger who shall be reporting back that Uncle GoGo is indeed doing well these days, and that all this recent flow of sap has been justified... Of course, you may have noticed that the sap flow has flowing been a bit shallow lately... Simple problem, fiction.

When I used to read, I'd eat fiction like candybars; couldn't wait to start a new book, always hated finishing them. Like that mad drug you're not addicted to but simply can't get enough of [and oh, I can name a few of those, basically the running list of everything I'm running away from these days]. Fiction is the place I always wanted to go after finishing a day drudging around in my real world -- Another problem, I found like with those drugs, I was loosing time after time... so, off I went, I sent myself to Illiteracy Island and focused on work [well, and drugs].

I guess I have to thank the New York City Subway system and my toilet for bringing me back; AND I guess this new found interest in getting smarter well, OK, trying to get back to at least being as smart as I was one very long day ago; I guess I can thank that desire for helping me find my way to books like "NonZero"; an enjoyable look at the history and evolution of society through the perspective of zero sum and non-zero sum game theories.

Fiction eats my brain, I love it, but when I read it, my brain goes wiggly and I loose my ability to speak. I get stuck in this Zelig-like trap and start mimicking the words and phrasings of what ever it is I'm reading. The better the book, the more I start talking like the folks I'm reading about... "Perfume" is fantastic, I've been talking like an 18th Century French courtier for the last three days. Of course, in this case an 18th French Century courtier who lives in a book written in English by and American who lives in Berlin and has a touch of Dickens in his voice. Voila... I'm wiggly.

Again, I should point out that "Perfume" is GREAT fiction! If my recommendation counts for anything, I strongly suggest that if you do like fiction, and especially if you like smelling... I'd strongly suggest putting this good chew on your menu for a future read. OH, and to my Roman friend, thanks for the break from "NonZero"; an enjoyable look at the history and evolution of society through the perspective of zero sum and non-zero sum game theories. I have thoroughly enjoyed being wiggly this week, AND you know that on your recommendation alone, I'll gobble up any book you toss at me, fiction, non-fiction or pop-up! Besides, you know, I'm getting older, maybe it has become the time when I learn how to use all these drugs responsibly anyhow. Using drugs responsibly, now there's a piece of advice I shoulda taken from mama when she done tol' me.