:: Privatjokr ::

This powerful first novel...tells a story of fierce cruelty and fierce yet redeeming love. Both transform the life of Amir, Khaled Hosseini's privileged young narrator who comes of age during the last peaceful days of the monarchy, just before his country's revolution and its invasion by Russian forces. But political events, even as dramatic as the ones that are presented in The Kite Runner, are only a part of this story. In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini gives us a vivid and engaging story that reminds us how long his people have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence -- forces that continue to threaten them even today.

The Kite Runner is a book that I debated reading for a far longer time than it took me to actually read it. The book was so wildly popular, especially among book clubs and other clusters of bibliophiles, that I had little choice but to give it attention. Many times as I would peruse the shelves at the bookstore I would see The Kite Runner. Each time this happened I would pick up a copy and hold it in my hands. I would read the back of the book, which displays a synopsis provided from a review rather than from the publisher, and really try the book on. What I found each time was that it did not fit, if I may continue the metaphor.

It was at the advice of two readers I know that I finally bought a copy of The Kite Runner. They both, on separate occassions, heard what I detailed above about how the book and I seemed to have creative differences; "it does not sound like a book I would enjoy," I told them both. "Read it. I did for my book club and really enjoyed it," was what they both said in reply. And so I did.

I found the synopsis, which talks so much of the power struggle between Russia and Afghanistan and then the portrait of the current state of affairs in Afghanistan to be irrelevant through the first half of the book. I had been worried about the synopsis because I have not met a book that talks of political conflict that I have enjoyed. I read to be entertained by something a little...lighter than the subject of politics. You may think me odd for that, or you may agree, at least in part. That which had me concerned was presented in a manner secondary to the story. The conflict was the setting of the book, not the subject. The subject is and always was Amir, a boy with whom we see the years pass after he makes his way to America. He struggles to leave his past behind while other immigrants around him pay particular attention so as to not lose theirs. It may not be as easy as he had hoped to start over in America.

Much in the same way the two who had recommended the book to me had created a situation in which they felt somewhat obligated to read the book (their respective book clubs), I manufactured a similar reason for myself.

Having now read The Kite Runner I feel comfortable suggesting it to others, though you need not make up an excuse to read it. read it because you are in search of a story that will, among other things, grip your heart and soul, squeezing a little at times, while you read. Read it because it educates in the ways of another culture, deserving as they all do, to be recognized. Read it because you want to know what past Amir wants to leave behind when he comes to America and if he is finally able to do just that.

I cannot say that The Kite Runner is to be raved about, but it is a beautiful story that made for a good read. I was pleasantly surprised by The Kite Runner. Despite the popularity of the book, I still consider it a diamond in the rough, when the rough is endless shelves at the bookstore. The Kite Runner is a relatively short book and a quick read. I hope you enjoy it. I think you will.

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That's the way the mind works: the human brain is genetically disposed toward organization, yet if not tightly controlled, will link one imagerial fragment to another on the flimsiest of pretense and in the most freewheeling manner, as if it takes a kind of organic pleasure in creative association, without regard for logic or chronological sequence.

Two wisecracking battle-hardened veterans (Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell) team up with a pair of street smart rookies (Michelle Rodriguez and LL Cool J) to form the most freewheeling -- but effective -- S.W.A.T. team ever. Their first assignment: transport an international drug kingpin into federal custody -- after he's offered $100 million to anyone who will free him!

Colin Farrell is a former member of S.W.A.T. in L.A. and down on his luck when Samuel L. Jackson enters the picture. Jackson was asked to train and lead an elite team of S.W.A.T. in response to political pressure facing the police department. Jackson has always been the best, but he has never seen eye-to-eye with the powers that be; a trait he shares with Ferrell. He has Farrell drive him around town as he recruits his team before finally asking Farrell to join up.

I am, I believe, in the minority by making the bold statement that I am a Colin Farrell fan. He has done good work in Intermission and The Recruit and fantastic work in Tigerland. There were even a few familiar faces to accompany the stars above. I guess it can be said that it was nice to see Jeremy Renner surface after making National Lampoon's Senior Trip.

Do not misinterpret what this movie is. S.W.A.T. is a fast paced action shoot-em-up. In the event you are looking for story-line, move along; you will not find that here. If you want a good high-energy movie with a decent amount of shots fired, look no further. When you can appreciate this movie for what it is, you realize it was a good movie. This is not an award winning film, but it is a good movie with which to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon on the couch.

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Barrel Fever by David Sedaris

In David Sedaris's world, no one is safe and no cow is sacred. A manic cross between Mark Leyner, Fran Lebowitz, and the National Enquirer, Sedaris's collection of essays is a rollicking tour through the national Zeitgeist: a do-it-yourself suburban dad saves money by performing home surgery; a man who is loved too much flees the heavyweight champion of the world; a teenage suicide tries to incite a lynch mob at her funeral; a bitter Santa abuses the elves.

David Sedaris made his debut on NPR's Morning Edition with "SantaLand Diaries," recounting his strange-but-true experiences as an elf at Macy's, and soon became one of the show's most popular commentators. With a perfect eye and a voice infused with as much empathy as wit, Sedaris writes stories and essays that target the soulful ridiculousness of our behavior. Barrel Fever is like a blind date with modern life, and anything can happen.

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Rabbit-Proof Fence

Rabbit-proof Fence -- featuring the Golden Globe-nominated score by Peter Gabriel -- is the powerful true story of hope and survival, and has been met with international acclaim! At a time when it was Australian government policy to train aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society, young Molly Craig decides to lead her little sister and cousin in a daring escape from their internment camp.

Molly and the girls, part of what would become kown as Australis's "Stolen Generations" must then elude the authorities on a dangerous 1,500 mile adventure along the rabbit-proof fence that bisects the continent and will lead them home. As shown by this outstanding motion picture, their universally touching plight and unparalleled courage are a beautiful testament to the undying strength of the human spirit!

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Evil Dead

There are two relatively easy to find easter eggs on this disc. If you select "Extras" from the Main Menu you will see the list of options with a skull on the top left and another on the bottom right. Both skulls contain hidden features. The top left is a panel discussion with makers of the movie at a screening from Halloween 2001 and the bottom right is a short make-up effects test. Access is simple; highlight the top menu item (Trailer) and move to the left and highlight the bottom menu item (Main Menu) and move to the right. Press select/enter to see the hidden features.

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Darko Milicic today. His trade to the Orlando Magic has been completed. The deal sends Darko and Piston's backup point-guard Carlos Arroyo to Orlando for (injured) center Kelvin Cato and a first round draft pick.

The details of the draft pick are that Detroit gets Orlando's first round pick in 2007, unless Orlando has a top 5 pick whereby they keep it and Detroit gets their first round pick in 2008 regardless of position.

The article from Sportsline does the perfect job of putting Darko's tenure in Detroit into perspective:

...Milicic's future in Detroit came down to this: The Pistons' environment couldn't handle developing a project for the future while using its lineup of all-stars for championships today.

I wish him well in Orlando. I am a Darko fan, and hate to see him go, but in that system compared to the system in Detroit he will be able to see more court time.

And while Milicic could have forced a change in that environment, had his play or his attitude risen above that obstacle, he didn't.

I think attitude was the biggest problem. When Darko would get into a game early, say in the second quarter, he would play very respectably. He also had a strong summer before this season began. In the summer league he saw decent minutes and was able to establish his on court identity. It was when he had the garbage minutes at the end of a blowout victory that he would play without confidence. I cannot blame him for wanting more playing time, but I cannot condone the lack of effort on the court in the final minute(s).

Reports have often stated that the chance to play under Pistons' new coach Flip Saunders was Darko's to lose. All he had to do was work hard and show Flip that he had the desire to learn and contribute. I have no intimate knowledge of the goings-on behind the scenes of this team. I cannot say whether that happened or not or if that was why Darko never played or not. But that inference can be made. This should be a lesson he has learned and he will be better prepared for his move to Orlando.

In the end, I do believe this trade to the in Darko's best interest, though I will no longer be able to see him in Detroit's red, white and blue.

Best of luck to Darko Milicic in Orlando.

The album Duets: The Final Chapter was released on December 20, 2005. The tracks are a mixture of archived flow from Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie) and current day artists. The album is 100% collaboration. One track, "Nasty Girl", has Biggie saying "Fingers in your mouth, open up your blouse, pull your g-string down south, Owww."

Biggie died on March 9, 1997.

On December 4, 2001 Fat Joe released his album Jealous Ones Still Envy.

Fat Joe's album features a song called "We Thuggin'" with R.Kelly in which he says "Like no doubt, pokin doll out, pull ya g-string down south. Owww!"

So where did the "pull ya g-string down south" originate? I am not trying to insinuate a flaw in the conspiracy of Biggie's death. I don't really believe he is living on an island with Tupac somewhere. I am just saying that whatever tracks Biggie laid down were all prior to 1997 and when a song is released in 2001 with the same lyrics as an unreleased Biggie line something is fishy. Unless of course Biggie borrowed the lyric from someone else and the good people at Google are too bogged down with "Nasty Girl" lyric sites to help me out.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me, please?

Why do the strangest things happen at fast food locations? Should I take that as a sign to maybe seek sustenance elsewhere? Sure I would be healthier and maybe even live longer, but then what stories would I have to share? First, the guy I posted about last month and now this.

Today I was back at Burger King. There was a woman ahead of me in line. She was a tall woman, with thick black hair. Her two little brats kids were wreaking havoc across the dining room while she ordered the food. She was not a particularly attractive woman, but had enough makeup on and carried enough name brand accessories to lead me to believe there was a wealthy man somewhere who thinks she is something special. I think she is a different kind of special.

Simple order, really: Whatever she was going to binge then purge and two of those little meal thingies with the toys, you know, for the kids.

Lady: ...and two Happy Meals. NO! OH MY GOD! Kids' Meals! I mean Kids' Meals! I am soooo sorry.

She went on like this for a good 10-15 seconds. She began spouting apologies you may expect to hear if in fact the young man behind the register might take some offense to her faux pas. We all knew what she meant, and he even rang up her order as if she had done nothing.

Have you ever seen cartoons where someone asks a robot an illogical question and its head explodes? *Does Not Compute* I think this lady thought the BK employee may have the same reaction to her ordering a Happy Meal at Burger King.

Something tells me she is not the first person to walk into a Burger King and order something off the McDonalds menu and vice versa. I just hope she can recover. And her poor husband who will have to wonder what he got himself into when she weeps in his arms tonight after she confesses her sin...

Singles from the band's 2002 album Make Up The Breakdown including, but not limited to, Oh Goddamnit and Bandages prompted me to seek out Elevator. This album signals the major-label debut for this rock quartet from Vancouver, B.C..

I like the album a lot. Vocalist Steve Bays has a unique sound that I feel is lacking in many areas of music today. Much of what I stumble upon recently sounds the same; it is nice to know I can turn on Hot Hot Heat to escape the monotony. My favorite tracks on Elevator are Running Out of Time, Goodnight Goodnight, You Owe Me An IOU and Middle of Nowhere.

My only complaint with the album is that it is very short.

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VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Villanova coach Jay Wright signed a seven-year contract extension Tuesday, one day after his Wildcats defeated No. 1 Connecticut.

The contract will keep Wright at the school through the 2012-13 season. Athletic director Vince Nicastro said the agreement represents a "significant commitment" to Villanova basketball.

The No. 4 Wildcats (20-2, 10-1 Big East) beat the Huskies 69-64 Monday night.

"We now have a long-term commitment, a new practice facility planned, a newly expanded conference and renovations planned for the Pavilion," Wright said. "There's nowhere our staff and my family would rather be."

In four seasons, Wright has led the Wildcats to a 95-56 record and took them to the round of 16 in last year's NCAA tournament.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

In the collegiate setting, the hardwood floor is almost exclusively reserved for the players and their coaches. The rare occasions when the court plays host to others come after "The Big Win".

This Big Win phenomenon occurs as the home team, a significant statistical underdog, successfully pulls off the upset. The upset can be triggered by hard work, determination, playing as a team, lucky shots and good home-court officiating. Whatever the catalyst, the societal norm is for the underdog fan-base to leave their seats, run out to center court, jump up and down, and then wait to be ushered away when the jubilation of triumph has quieted.

The process, though "tradition" if you care to say so, is flawed. There needs to be new life brought to celebration. If I were any good at math or even had the free time to pretend I was, I would do this myself. Alas, I am not and I have not. I do have the starting point for the revolution, however.

An algorithm. A mathematical computation that results in either "rush the floor" or "stay firmly in your seat".

Last night the Villanova Wildcats beat the #1 ranked Connecticut Huskies. Villanova, though highly ranked, was technically the underdog, despite playing in Philadelphia. The game was not on Villanova's campus, but at a bigger facility 30 minutes away to accommodate more fans. After the victory was sealed against the #1 team and time expired, the fans for the #4 team rushed the floor.

Villanova is currently ranked #4 in both polls and there are a handful of people around the country who wonder if maybe they should be higher than that. All I am saying is that while it is still a big win, it was not so out of the realm of possibility. Very few people, if any, are left with the taste of "Oh my. I can't believe they won that game." If there was more of a discrepancy between rankings, I would appreciate the enthusiasm. That was Villanova's game to win, and they did. And they won it at home, for all intents and purposes.

There are some people that watch and/or are a part of the professional football family that say touchdown celebration is unnecessary. I firmly believe their mantra "act like you have been there before" applies in this situation as well. This was only the fifth time in Villanova's history that they have beaten a #1 team, but it is a program accustomed to winning big games.

A discussion that I have oft had at the end of college basketball games is about student-section chanting. When the game is drawing to a close and the underdog is set to win, fans, typically student-fans, may be heard chanting "over-rated". My argument against this is simply that it makes your team look less impressive. "Wow, you guys lost to us! You really must not be as good as people think!" I think rushing the court sends the same message. As if we, as fans, did not think it possible to beat this team. Does that not send the wrong message?

When the home team is unranked or at least 10 seeds lower than the ranked visiting team.

When you weight the conference and overall record of the visiting team, more highly if they are undefeated.

Perhaps when the visiting team is favored by 10+ points.

There are many factors that may be employed in our algorithm, but ultimately we need to change the face of celebration. Let us be more selective of the situations in which we rush the court. I know many smaller schools, and often bigger schools in down years for the program, never know the adrenaline spike experienced while rushing the court. That is a shame; I feel it is something everyone should be able to experience, however I know it does not make sense to allow it.

The hardwood is reserved for the players and coaches. We must only trespass on their territory when the timing is perfect. It is a special occasion when the opportunity to rush the court presents itself; we should not desensitize ourselves to what it truly symbolizes.

The hardwood is sacred. Tread lightly and only when deemed acceptable.

Baadasssss!

From the Main Menu, highlight "Special Features" and press the right cursor three times. This should light the end of Mario Van Peebles's cigar. Pressing enter/select will play a clip with Mario and Melvin Van Peebles as Mario talks briefly about his perspective on making the film. This easter egg may also be selected (if you are watching on your computer) by simply using your mouse to click on the tip of the cigar.

On my flight home last night from Las Vegas I woke up to our plane shaking it like a salt shaker. Turbulence is something that I will never enjoy, but it does not bother me very much anymore. That may be a sign that I fly too often, or maybe something else. Last night, however, was a LOT of turbulence. The captain came over the speakers and said that air traffic control had suggested we try three different altitudes in search of relief, but none proved any better than the rest. The best estimate he could give was that we would endure another 20 minutes of bumpy travel after however many had gone by already.

Lucky for me, I was asleep through what was apparently most of it, but the poor guy next to me was a different story. I got the impression he does not travel in the air very frequently, and may not again for a long time after last night. I woke up to him with his arms outstretched, hands "white-knuckled", grasping the headrest of the seat in front of him.

When we got off the plane, Kyle told me about his unfortunate situation. He said the woman next to him decided that in the face of turbulence she would widen her base for what seemed a lower sense of gravity. This process entailed her widening herself out and spilling out of her own seat and flowing over into his.

"Did you see the couple still sitting in my row when you got off the plane?" he asked.

"That woman just spent the last 4 hours sitting on me."

It was not the most pleasant flying experience.

Do not order books from the Borders in Ann Arbor, MI.

On November 11, 2005 author George R. R. Martin was appearing at the Borders in Ann Arbor. I could not make the event as I had a prior engagement in Chicago that weekend. So as to secure myself at least one signed copy of A Feast for Crows I called the store on November 10, 2005.

What I asked for was 3 signed books to be shipped to me since not only could I not make the event, but I could not make it to the store to pick up my books in the few days they would reserve them for me. That and it would cost me as much in time and gas in my car to drive to the store as it would for shipping and handling. I told the person from the store over the phone that I was willing to pay the S&H that would obviously be associated with the purchase. On that day in November, I was charged in excess of $60 (according to my credit card statement).

I began calling the store in early to mid December to find out where my books were since I had not received them. I was told that there was one person specifically at the store who I needed to speak with regarding anything about an author appearance. I will not put his name or title here, but there is enough information to know who he is and/or to find out. I was given his cell phone number. He never called me back but with my call backs I finally caught him at the end of December. (It turns out he had a healthy holiday season rich with vacation.)

He said that he was not surprised that my books had not arrived. There were large orders of signed books, and two small ones: an order of 1 book and an order of 3 books. The gentleman who ordered the 1 book had called trying to find his book so it made sense that my books had not shown up either. He speculated that maybe in the pre-holiday rush some mix up had occurred in the mailing room. As a remedy he offered 3 replacement books. He horded 10 extra copies for "any problems that arose" and would send me 3 of those right away. If the original 3 books popped up in my mailbox, they were mine to keep. I could hope for 6 books, but I was just glad that I would now, in theory, get 3 books.

In mid January I call him yet again. I still did not have my books. He did not answer, but I left him a voicemail. Shockingly I get a return call the next day. He tells me that he found my books. They were behind the counter waiting for me to pick them up this whole time; they were never shipped. The problem was that I was never charged for shipping and handling, so no one packaged the books. He was personally going to walk my books to the mailroom so they were shipped. He took my e-mail address so he could send me the tracking number for the package. He was even going to pay the shipping and handling as a gesture of good faith at the end of this long ordeal.

Whatever happened to the 3 books you sent me out of your secret stash? Oh, you made that up? Guess so.

So then I call him again at the END of January. Still do not have my books. I stopped leaving voicemail because he is not good about calling back. I just call more frequently.

Unrelated to this issue I checked my credit card statement online and see a $5.83 line item from January 29, merchant listed as Borders Ann Arbor. I am now furious. And this time I left a voicemail. I felt I should at least thank the man for charging me for the S&H he would not charge me for to send me the books that he should have sent almost 3 months earlier.

November 10, 2005: Order and pay for books.
November 11, 2005: Author signs books.
January 29, 2006: Charged for S&H.
February 2, 2006: I receive my shipment of 3 signed books.

I now have a call into him. I did leave a message and told him that I have received my books, but would like to speak with him. Here's hoping he calls back.

I am a 25 year old avid reader and book collector. I have relatively decent earning potential already at 25. My biggest vice is books. And here I thought I am a bookseller's best friend. Shame I am not important to Borders. Yes, the argument is that his views do not express those of the company, right? Wrong. You had better believe he is a representative of his company and his actions reflect the views of the company whether Borders wants to admit that or not. He made a lot of mistakes in handling my transaction and that means so did the company.

Do not order books from the Borders in Ann Arbor, MI.

Hustle and Flow

From the Main Menu, select "Special Features". Cycle to the bottom and highlight "Main Menu". Press to the left and you will see a necklace that says "D Jay" appear around Terrence Howard's neck. Press your enter/select button to see a short video of the character Skinny Black (Ludacris) as he "hunts haters" in the woods behind his house.

I have had suspicions before and even though I lack concrete proof, I am now convinced that sports complexes around the country sell each and every ticket with the exception of the 2-4 directly behind each coach's spot on the bench. At football games, there really is no opportunity, but I have seen this happen at multiple hockey games, many basketball games, and even the occassional baseball game (I do not watch much baseball).

I have not noticed this happening at the collegiate level, which is nice; at least there is still someplace we can go and see a game in its pure state. Professional sports are another story. The next game you watch on TV, when they cut to the coach of either participating team, look over his shoulder. Without a doubt you will see a prime, text-book example of cleavage.

cleav·age (klē'vĭj) n.

1. The act of splitting or cleaving.
2. The state of placing one's buxom breastesses on a platter for the world to enjoy.

So here is the actual conspiracy: Those tickets remain unoccupied though they are "sold" in the eyes of the box office. The average fan cannot purchase those tickets; they are reserved by stadium staff. At the beginning of each game the staff keeps an eagle eye out for low cut tops, push up bras, and the like. Once "she" is found, probably the best approach is to ask her companion(s) if they would like complimentary upgrades to their tickets...for subtlety. Conveniently, the staff memebers lead them to seats directly behind the bench. She would never suspect a thing if her beau gets better tickets and now he looks like he is kind of a big deal. They change seats and no one is any the wiser.

Keep an eye out.

Mark my words.

Shady dealings I tell you.

...and I love it.

Steve Buscemi is Nick Reve, film-maker, in this movie about making movies. Reve is the director of a low-budget independent film who spends as much time riding the wave of problems that arise on his set as he does filming. Give Buscemi the lead, sit back and watch. That should be the case in more movies, I think. Maybe he was just neurotic enough to play this part, or maybe he should just be considered for more roles because he is that good.
(Ok, it was probably a little of both.)

Surround Buscemi with Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, and Peter Dinklage and you certainly have a strange mix of actors perfect to portray the clash of personalities present on the set. It was the bizarre mix that I thought worked best in really making me feel uncomfortable for Nick Reve as he tried to make his movie. I liked the way everyone fit together while never being comfortable with each other...if that makes any sense.

Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent, Elf) made this movie for me. He took it from the bizarre to the laugh-out-loud-funny. His dead pan delivery is fantastic. It is a shame he had only a small role.

There was a healthy amount of swearing and enough (brief) nudity to watch this one without the kids. Check it out when you are in the mood for something a little...different.

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